Giampaolo Pozzo, the owner of Udinese and Watford, has characterized Como’s performance this season as ‘miraculous’ and holds an optimistic view regarding Lorenzo Lucca’s potential career revival. Pozzo stated, “It’s impossible for such a young player to reverse his performances from one year to the next completely.”
In a recent interview, Pozzo offered his insights into the future trajectories of both clubs under his ownership.
Pozzo firmly asserted that Udinese is not for sale, although the club is actively seeking a financial partner to enhance its on-field results.
Pozzo: Udinese Not for Sale, Seeking Partnership
“First and foremost, I want to clarify that we are not looking to sell the club; rather, our aim is to transform it into a more ‘European’ entity, much like Atalanta has done, to elevate our sporting achievements,” he explained. “With a regional budget, our current objective is secure survival in Serie A. We consistently strive to strengthen the team, and we are open to any potential partnership that aligns with Udinese’s project. While it’s difficult to discuss specific figures, there were rumors of a possible €300 million sale, which we even considered. However, our preference is not to sell but to collaborate with funds to boost our athletic standing.”
Udinese currently holds 11th place in the Serie A table with 39 points from 30 matches, effectively guaranteeing their safety with eight games remaining in the season.
Udinese’s striker, Keinan Davis, who joined from Aston Villa in 2023, has impressively netted 10 goals and provided three assists in 26 appearances across all competitions. Pozzo remarked, “We invested €3 million in him; he’s a very good player with an excellent attitude towards the club. He has navigated challenging periods, but he demonstrates great ball control and finishing ability when given the opportunity.”
While Udinese historically contended for European qualification in Serie A, this season has seen Como surprisingly vie for a Champions League position, currently holding fourth place in the league.
Pozzo commented on Como’s remarkable performance, calling it “miraculous,” and emphasizing that “money alone isn’t sufficient; competence is also vital.” He praised their “incredible achievements,” attributing them to “excellent management and astute decisions, including recruiting the right players.” He concluded, “Although I don’t know them personally, they’ve clearly invested their funds wisely.”
Last summer, Udinese transferred Lorenzo Lucca to Napoli. However, the Italian forward struggled to make an impact with the Partenopei in the first half of the season and has not shown significant improvement since his loan move to Nottingham Forest in January.
Pozzo reflected on Lucca’s situation: “He performed commendably for us, but patience is essential as immediate success isn’t always guaranteed. It’s improbable for a young player to completely reverse his performance trajectory from one year to the next. He is bound to rediscover the form we’ve known, displaying his character and goal-scoring ability.”
Finally, the Italian entrepreneur addressed Watford, his English Championship club, and their primary objective for the current season. “It’s a demanding league; our strategy involves developing young talent, which requires patience,” Pozzo stated. “Our aim is promotion to the Premier League; we’ll see if we can achieve it.”