Emanuele Giaccherini: 'World Cup motivated Sunderland move'

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 26 August 2013

Sunderland's new signing Emanuele Giaccherini says that he signed for the club to help his chances of going to next year's World Cup with Italy.

Italian international Emanuele Giaccherini has revealed that he joined Sunderland earlier this summer to boost his chances of going to next year's World Cup.

The 28-year-old had more recently been playing for Serie A champions Juventus, but he was informed by coach Antonio Conte that he would not be a regular fixture in the Old Lady's starting lineup over the coming season.

As a result and following talks with Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio, the midfielder signed on at the Stadium of Light for the good of his international career.

"The coach and I spoke on the phone before I signed and he convinced me to try this experience, an experience that is important for a player," he said. "I called the national boss and I said I was coming here and he wished me the best of luck. And he told me if I continue to play there wouldn't be any problems.

"Here I have the chance to be a regular starter. At Juventus, I didn't have that because there were a lot of important players in front of me.

"To leave a club like Juventus is always difficult. They are a club at the top of world football. But there are the World Cup finals to come, I want to play, I want to have my space in another football league."

Giaccherini scored his first goal for the Black Cats during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Southampton.