Jacopo Fazzini to Fiorentina

Fiorentina's Transfer Acceleration

Fiorentina are moving at lightning speed in the transfer market. After securing Dzeko, paying Gudmundsson's clause to make the move permanent, and now completing deals for both Fazzini and Viti, the Viola are clearly backing Pioli's new course. Today's focus: understanding what Jacopo Fazzini brings to this evolving project.

The Profile: Young Talent with Room to Grow

Born in 2003 with a March birthday, Fazzini will turn 23 during the 2025/26 season - crucially, he's not yet in his peak years but approaching them rapidly. At €10 million over five years, Fiorentina has secured a different profile entirely from what they possessed under Palladino: a genuine full winger.

This acquisition makes perfect sense when considering Pioli's tactical preferences during his successful Milan tenure, where wide players were the creators and center of the system.

Technical Analysis: The Complete Picture

Fazzini's radar reveals a multifaceted player with clear strengths and development areas that align well with Fiorentina's needs.

The data shows a fairly effective shooter despite low shot volume, someone who contributes defensively even if opponents create value from his area. His standout qualities emerge in passing and carrying, though curiously this doesn't translate directly into assist numbers - a pattern often seen with players operating in struggling teams where final balls lack quality receiving options.

Positional Versatility Through Necessity

Having operated on both wings for Empoli, Fazzini's shot and assist maps reflect this versatility, though the data appears limited due to his ~1,500 minutes of action.

The Empoli Context: Carrying a Struggling Team

Understanding Fazzini's performance requires acknowledging Empoli's situation throughout their ultimately unsuccessful relegation battle. Among players from relegated teams, Fazzini emerged as one of the standout performers - a player whose individual quality transcended team limitations.

His importance to Empoli's offensive efforts becomes clear when examining box entries. Fazzini was among the few players capable of advancing the ball into dangerous areas through both progressive passing and direct carrying.

High-Risk, High-Reward Playing Style

Fazzini's approach embodies the classic high-risk, high-reward philosophy that can either unlock tight games or frustrate with execution. His progressive passing map reveals an aggressive mentality - completing 21% fewer progressive passes than expected because he consistently attempted balls into the final third for a team desperate to create chances.

This willingness to attempt difficult passes speaks to both his confidence and the tactical demands placed on him at Empoli.

Dribbling Profile: Space Exploitation Over Volume

While Fazzini shows high value in carries and take-ons, he achieved this through intelligent space exploitation through carrying than attempting a high volume of take ons.

Playing for Empoli, where space often came from transitions and counter-attacks, likely inflated his carrying value compared to what he might produce in more structured possession-based systems.

Strategic Value for Fiorentina

This transfer represents intelligent squad building on multiple levels. Fazzini provides immediate tactical variety while offering significant long-term value potential. His high-risk, high-reward skills should flourish with better teammates who can convert the chances he creates and provide him with superior service in return.

The financial structure makes sense: €10 million for a 22-year-old with demonstrated Serie A ability represents a calculated investment. In Fiorentina's improved environment, Fazzini could develop into a €20+ million asset in a short time window - either for sale to fund further development or retention as they push for Champions League qualification.