Giampaolo Pozzo, owner of both Udinese and Watford, has praised Como’s achievements this season as ‘miraculous’ and expressed hope that Lorenzo Lucca can reignite his career. Pozzo commented that it is unrealistic for a young player to fully transform their performance in just one year.
Pozzo shared his insights during an interview with GR Parlamento (via TMW), discussing the future of both clubs.
He firmly stated that Udinese is not for sale, although the club is seeking a financial partner to enhance its performance on the pitch.
Pozzo: Udinese Not For Sale
“First and foremost, I want to make it clear that we are not looking to sell; our goal is to develop the club’s European presence just like Atalanta has, aiming for better sporting results,” Pozzo said.
“With a regional budget, our current priority is ensuring a comfortable survival. We have always aimed to strengthen the team, and if anyone is interested in collaborating on a potential project at Udinese, we are open to discussions. While I can’t disclose specific figures, rumors about a €300 million sale have circulated. However, we prefer establishing a partnership with funds to elevate our sporting status.”
Currently, Udinese sits 11th in the Serie A standings with 39 points from 30 matches, virtually ensuring their safety with eight games remaining.
Striker Keinan Davis, acquired from Aston Villa in 2023, has made a significant impact with 10 goals and three assists in 26 appearances across competitions. “We invested €3 million in him; he’s an outstanding player with a great attitude towards the club,” Pozzo remarked. “Despite facing challenges, he knows how to handle the ball and find the back of the net.”
Meanwhile, Como, once a strong competitor in Serie A, is currently surprisingly vying for Champions League qualification, positioned fourth in the league.
“Truthfully, their achievements are miraculous. It’s not just about money; you need to be capable,” Pozzo stated. “They’re executing phenomenal strategies, making excellent management decisions, and successfully recruiting the right players. While I don’t know them personally, their investments have been commendable.”
Udinese sold Lorenzo Lucca to Napoli last summer, but the Italian striker struggled to make an impact with the Partenopei and has shown little improvement since moving to Nottingham Forest on loan in January.
“He had a good performance here, but we must exercise patience as success doesn’t come overnight,” Pozzo emphasized. “It’s unrealistic for such a young player to completely alter their performance within a year. I believe he can return to being the player we remember, one with character who can find the net.”
In closing, Pozzo shared his aspirations for Watford in the English Championship. “It’s a challenging league; we’re on the lookout for young talent to develop, and we are committed to patience. Our goal is to achieve promotion to the Premier League; we’ll see how it goes,” he concluded.