Alberto Aquilani

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson is hopeful that Jorginho has a good career with Chelsea and does not follow the same route as former Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani. The Italy international was the Blues’ first signing under new manager Maurizio Sarri and he made his Premier League debut against Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Merson highlighted Jorginho as the ‘proper player’ – a tag which was once associated with compatriot Aquilani. Nevertheless, the 50-year-old remains optimistic that Jorginho fares differently under the tutelage of Sarri, he said: “I think Jorginho is a proper player. You just hope he doesn’t end up like an Aquilani.When he came over to Liverpool, he had all those figures, he was the best passer in Italy.They don’t play the way we play. In Italy you get the ball off the goalie, you get your head up and you start spraying it left, right and centre.When Aquilani came over, he’d get the ball and somebody (would take it) and he’d be like ‘where’s the ball gone?’. So all them things will take time.”

Mario Balotelli has admitted that he was hurt after being left out of the Italy squad for the past four years. The Nice striker returned to the national team fray under new boss Roberto Mancini last month but he confessed his disappointment over the lack of opportunities since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Speaking to reporters, he said: “I was upset without the Nazionale. There’s no point talking about the past now, as we have to start again and look to the future. It’s disappointing I wasn’t even considered, but there’s no good thinking about that now. Antonio Conte was right not to call me up during Euro 2016, because physically I was not in good shape. Giampiero Ventura spoke to me about why I wasn’t called up, but I didn’t really understand his reasoning. I respect his choices.”

Former AC Milan midfielder Alberto Aquilani believes Lazio and Inter Milan will tussle it out for the fourth position in the Serie A standings. The Italian duo have been neck-to-neck with their performances in the backend of the campaign, and Aquilani feels the final Champions League spot could be decided between the two.

In an interview covered by Gazzetta dello Sport, Aquilani appeared to dismiss AC Milan’s chances of reaching the top-four by saying: “I think Di Francesco will secure Champions League for Roma, while fourth place will be played for until the end between Lazio and Inter.”

Juventus chief executive Beppe Marotta has stressed that the club are not interested in a summer move for Nice striker Mario Balotelli.

The Italy international is eyeing a return to the Serie A after a two-year stint in the south of the France, and he has talked up Juve and Napoli as probable destinations he would prefer.

Las Palmas have confirmed that the club will be doing everything in order to sign Jese Rodriguez in the January transfer window. The former Real Madrid forward spent half of the campaign on loan at Las Palmas, who happen to be his hometown club on loan from Paris St Germain. However, he did the switch to Stoke City in the summer in another loan deal. This loan move, however, has not been working out great for the forward. Stoke have been struggling for form throughout the campaign and Rodriguez has featured in only nine appearances for the team. In these games, Rodriguez has scored only one goal.

As a result, he is thought to be unhappy in England and would like a return to Spanish football in order to rediscover his form. Meanwhile, Las Palmas are looking to take advantage of this situation by making a move for the player. Manager Paco Jemez claims that he has approached the club president in order to sign the player. Surprisingly, goalscoring has not been one of the issues for Las Palmas, as summer signing Loic Remy has been influential when it comes to finding the back of the net. He has also been assisted well enough by Jonathan Calleri, who also has a couple of goals. Jemez, though, says that Jese Rodriguez will set an example in the team on all fronts.

Alberto Aquilani, the one-time Liverpool midfielder has joined Las Palmas from Pescara in Serie A.

The 33-year-old has joined the La Liga club on a two-year-deal and will fill gap caused by the departure of controversial but flamboyant former Ghana international Kevin-Prince Boateng.

Former Italy international Alberto Aquilani has revealed that he agreed to join Spanish club Las Palmas following a heart-to-heart talk with former AC Milan teammate Kevin-Prince Boateng.

The 33-year-old signed for the La Liga minnows on a two-year contract and is expected to fill the void left by the Ghanaian.

In a report covered by ESPN, the former AS Roma man admitted that Boateng had a huge role to play in enticing him to join the Yellow Canary, he said: "Prince told me this is an amazing place to play and I’m looking forward to starting this new chapter in my career. As well as technique and experience, I can offer other physical and mental aspects and footballing characteristics… everything I know. [LaLiga] has always been attractive to me and although I had other offers I decided to come to Las Palmas. I like the way the team plays and the way they move the ball around. Las Palmas have very good players and I’m looking to working together."

Former Italy international Alberto Aquilani is waiting for potential offers from Italy and abroad following his decision to mutually terminate his contract with Pescara.

The 33-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan with Sassuolo, where he failed to find the net in 16 league appearances.

Italy international Alberto Aquilani said fond words about Roma legend Francesco Totti following his decision to call time on his Roma career.

The 40-year-old was largely marginalised by former boss Luciano Spalletti during the final season, and this urged him to end his 24-year association. The World Cup winner has highlighted his intention to retire from his playing duties, but he could still make a final move to the Indian Super League with a host of clubs said to have approached for his signature.

Former Red star Alberto Acquilani has named for The Fantasy Football Club.

The Italian is on loan at Serie A side Sassuolo from Pescara at the moment. He has 38 caps on the international level and has played at top clubs like Roma, Juventus and Milan.

He named #One2Eleven players he has featured alongside. In between the sticks, he named Juve star Gianluigi Buffon as the man. He said he was “lucky” to play with him during his time at the Turin-based club. He said Buffon was the “best keeper” in “recent football history.”