The signatures of De Sanctis and Dionisi have finalized the transition from 2023/24 to 2024/25: the City Group took two weeks to put the pieces together, now that the puzzle is complete, it will be up to the new coach (with the help of the sporting director) to determine who will be part of the future Palermo and who does not fit into the project. The company has already set a first line: no renewal of loans and contracts expiring, few possibilities for those who have seen little play in 2024 and renewal after two years in which the ambitions of the ownership and the city have not translated into outstanding results; in the coming days the City Group will start moving on the market, both in terms of incoming and outgoing, to already have the first traces of the new Palermo in retreat.
In goal, the hierarchies will follow the trend of the end of the season: Desplanches will be the starter, Pigliacelli the potential twelfth. If number 22 (expiring in twelve months) does not accept a supporting role, the roses will move for a reliable reserve goalkeeper; as third goalkeeper, Kanuric will not stay, so the company will have to decide whether to promote Nespola from the Primavera or look elsewhere.
In defense, much revolves around the decision of Lucioni, who could waver in the face of potential two-year offers: the contract with the roses expires in June 2025 and the company is counting heavily on him, but it is unlikely to start discussions on renewal regardless of the results of the next season. The departure of number 5 would require the City Group to look for a new leader in defense. Almost certain confirmations for Ceccaroni among the center-backs and Diakité and Lund among the full-backs, while on the second lines there are few certainties: in the center, Marconi has already said goodbye and one between Nedelcearu and Graves is too many, while on the wings both Buttaro and Aurelio should change air after a season conditioned by injuries and exclusions.
Doubts also do not spare the midfield. Here too, a renewal, that of Segre, keeps Palermo on tenterhooks: the company pushes for the extension of the contract (expiry 2025), but time passes and there is no news from the player’s entourage; in case of a breakdown, the roses should go hunting for a midfielder profile that guarantees the same charisma as number 8, which is coveted by many teams in Serie A. The confirmation of Ranocchia is taken for granted, as is that of Vasic on whom the City Group does not intend to lose the investment of twelve months ago (2 million euros to Padova and a contract until 2028 for the boy). The others are all in discussion: Henderson and Coulibaly will return to Empoli and Salernitana, Stulac has already worked with Dionisi but in 2024 his space in Palermo has been significantly reduced, Gomes has not offered that jump in quality that was expected and is on the list of sacrificable players.
In attack, the coach’s opinion will be crucial in deciding both the playing system and the elements that will make it up. Di Francesco and Di Mariano have more chances of confirmation for experience and “Palermo-ness” that they embody; Brunori and Soleri could leave if satisfactory offers are made, but they will hardly do so without the prior arrival of a suitable replacement (the same goes for Lucioni and Segre). The decision on Insigne is more difficult, disappointing in the first year in pink but of a good level for Serie B: the club would like to avoid a Tutino repeat, a flop in Palermo and a star in Cosenza. Traore has already said goodbye, while there is coldness about Mancuso’s stay despite being brilliant with Dionisi at Empoli.
Palermo, ora è tempo di scelte: Dionisi valuta e detta la linea
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