Graziano Pelle: The Italian goal machine

Graziano Pelle is one of the few Italians who play abroad, currently playing for the Eredevisie club Feyenoord as a centre forward.

Profile

Having started his professional footballing career with Serie A side Lecce at a tender age of 19, he however could not find a berth in starting line up and was soon loaned to Catania followed by another loan to Cesena. He however, could not flourish in Italy and had to depart for Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar in 2007. But his inconsistent form in front of the goal remained a worry for him. After spending close to 4 seasons at the Dutch club, he returned for another stint in Italy at the Serie A club Parma. But again he failed to achieve anything significant and was soon loaned out to Serie B outfit, Sampdoria. In 2012 he made a switch to the Eredevisie club Feyenoord.

It is at this club, he began to show his real potential in front of the goal. After notching 25 goals in the league in the first season, he again continued with the same poacher like instincts in the next season. It is during this phase of one and half seasons, that he started getting attention from some big clubs. Standing at 6’4″, he provides the team with a target man like figure in the attack and definitely a different dimension.

Style, Strength and Weakness

He has a tendency of taking shots at the goal and it is evident from the fact that on an average he has hit 4.4 shots this season. He is decent passer and likes to play through balls in the final third. Further, his ability to hold-up in the opponents’ half and to dribble pass opponents also makes him a vital asset for the team.

But his main strength lies in his aerial abilities. He is a threat during set-piece situations and has developed very good finishing abilities through headed attempts.

His main weakness lies in his discipline and has a habit of committing too many fouls and picking up bookings.

Stats

Pelle has started brilliantly this season by grabbing 13 goals in 16 league appearances. He also has 3 more goals in other competitions. Further, he also provided 2 assists in league games. Such finishing prowess in the six-yard box has also seen him picking up 5 Man-of-the-Match performances this season.

With his commanding presence aerially, he also has won 5 aerial duels on an average. Even in the previous season he did score a whopping 26 goals in all competitions with 25 league goals in as many games.

Transfer Situation

Currently he is valued at 8mn Euros but with interests from Chelsea and Barcelona might place him in a transfer war and drive his price up. Further, he also might be willing to leave Feyenoord for a big European club in the winter transfer window.