It seems odd that it’s never worked out at Sunderland for Emanuele Giaccherini. The Italian playmaker is some player and has a lot to offer for Sunderland, but for some reason, it’s just never clicked.

Giaccherini arrived at Sunderland under Paolo Di Canio, in which in summary, was a pretty hectic few months for Sunderland. Di Canio’s transfer window saw fourteen new faces arrive at the club, just three of which still remain: Duncan Watmore, Fabio Borini and Vito Mannone. That’s not including Giaccherini of course, who looks set to leave Wearside this summer.

Giaccherini's first turbulent season in England

The Italian didn’t make an immediate impact at Sunderland, as in typical fashion, they failed to hit the ground running, Di Canio was sacked, and Gus Poyet was drafted in to save their season.

Giaccherini certainly played his part, which in turn, proved out to be one of Sunderland’s best seasons in recent years. Poyet guided Sunderland to Wembley, took them to the quarter finals of the FA Cup, completed the double over arch rivals Newcastle, and of course pulled off the Great Escape.

Sunderland were cemented to rock bottom, and with an impossible fixture list for their past six games, they looked all but condemned to the Championship. But with a draw away to Man City sent them on an incredible run of form, beating Chelsea and Man United away, hammering Cardiff at home, in which Giaccherini scored a vital goal, and the of course rounding off safety with a win over West Brom.

The Italian’s form in the end of season run in gave Sunderland fans a glimmer of hope, is that what Giaccherini was capable of? And would he be able to replicate it next season?

Loan to Serie A

In short, the answer was no, Giaccherini and Sunderland both failed to hit the ground running again. It clearly wasn’t working for either party, and at the beginning of last season, the Italian joined Bologna on a season long loan, enjoying a very successful spell. So successful, that the winger was rewarded with a starting spot at the European Championships.

But now, Giaccherini’s agent, Furio Valcareggi, has hinted that he may be in line for a reunion with Antonio Conte, who he worked with at Juventus. Conte of course, is taking charge of Stamford Bridge, and it is said that Giaccherini would relish the opportunity of joining Chelsea.

His agent told Sport Italia: “Giaccherini is a player who played 80 per cent of the games for a Juventus that had Pogba, Pirlo, Vidal and Marchisio in the midfield."

Valcareggi declared that Conte likes Giaccherini a lot and described Chelsea as a “dream” for him.

"It's still too early to talk about his future. After the Euros, whoever wants to buy him will not have to pay a high price to Sunderland."

Sunderland are set to lose money on the 31-year-old, who joined the club for £6.5million in 2013.

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About the author
Eve Sayers
Sports journalism in Leeds. Write for A Love Supreme, Vavel and Give Me Sport.