Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has lavished
praise on new signing Emanuele Giaccherini, calling
him one of the best players in Europe.
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The Italian international, who can play as a wing-
back, winger, deep-lying forward or attacking
midfielder, moved to Sunderland last week from
Juventus for €6.5 million.
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Speaking ahead of the 28-year-old's likely debut,
against Spurs on Wednesday in Hong Kong, fellow
Italian Di Canio said: "In my opinion he's one of the
best players in Europe to suit my system.
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"There are not many wingers with his intelligence or
ability to interpret the role," Di Canio, who has
overseen a major overhaul of the Sunderland squad,
told the club's official website.
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"The way he moves around the pitch and the space
he creates for his teammates and his overall ability
to read games - he's one of the top players."
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Di Canio, who took over near the end of last season
and kept Sunderland in the Premier League, hopes
that Giaccherini will get the fans on their feet.
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"He was one of the best players in the Confederations
Cup and he's a regular in the national team," said the
Sunderland boss.
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"He's a very good player; he's further behind his
teammates in terms of fitness because he finished
late at the Confederations Cup.
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"I'm sure the fans are going to enjoy what they see
from him because he is a good player."
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Sunderland, in Hong Kong for the Barclays Asia
Trophy, start their league campaign at home to
Fulham on August 17.
It is always the best thing to be called the best...Being one of the best is also a dope thing. That is very cool though!