Lorenzo Insigne’s Toronto FC debut has been put on hold.
The Italian national team star has finally arrived in Canada following a landmark move from Napoli, with his first appearance in a red jersey originally expected to be at home to the San Jose Earthquakes this weekend.
But TFC head coach Bob Bradley has revealed Insigne has been struggling with a calf problem picked up in Europe since arriving. As a result, his debut could be delayed until July 23 when Toronto host expansion side Charlotte FC.
“In the periods now where he’s been on the field there’s been discomfort and so he’s been taken off the field,” Bradley said after Wednesday’s training session.
“My guess is that it is going to take a few weeks to get him ready,” he added. “I think a realistic target is going to be July 23. That’s not official. There’s always hope that things can move faster.”
Should Bradley’s prediction be correct, Insigne will miss games against the Quakes, Chicago Fire, and Canadian rivals CF Montreal before finally taking to the field.
Insigne is just the start of what appears to be an Italian revolution at BMO Field, with veteran defender Domenico Criscito also joining from Genoa, while Juventus’ Federico Bernardeschi has been heavily linked.
90min understands Bernardeschi is preparing to travel to Canada to ramp up talks, while reports suggest Colorado Rapids midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye is a target for TFC, who look set to part ways with 2020 MLS MVP Alejandro Pozuelo in a deal with Inter Miami.
Pozuelo’s departure would open up the Designated Player (DP) spot required for TFC to sign Bernardeschi.
