£153,000-a-week player Victor Orta tipped at Leeds wins Euro 2024 Man of the Match award

On Saturday afternoon, Spain destroyed Croatia with a thoroughly impressive performance that left the old Croatian in shock. But it was Italy’s performance on the night that provided the most intrigue.

Albania were expected to be well beaten by holders Italy, but before the clock had even ticked 30 seconds, Albania found themselves on top. Sylvinho’s team performed well beyond what many expected of them.

Italy hit back quickly with goals from Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella, but Albania had plenty of chances to equalise. Including, in the last minutes to equalize, 2-2.

Federico Chiesa won the man of the match award with Italy

But Italy secured victory and there were a number of impressive performances, with Barella scoring a super winner on the edge of the box. Juventus star Federico Chiesa was excellent on the right flank for Italy.

The £153,000-a-week star won the official man of the match award for his display despite not scoring or assisting. But he came within an inch, smashing a left-footed effort inches beyond the top corner last night.

A player who, bizarrely, could have worn the white of Leeds. So says former boss Andrea Radrizzani, who claimed in 2023 that Victor Orta proposed the possible signing of Chiesa.

Victor Orta tipped Leeds to sign Chiesa while at Elland Road

A move for the wide man seems incredibly unlikely given how highly rated he is. Previous reports have even valued him at a whopping £89million, with Liverpool said to be long-term admirers of Chiesa.

Of course, a move to Elland Road never happened and Chiesa has since become an Italy regular. What is not clear is when Orta felt Chiesa was a real target for the club and could be brought to Yorkshire.

Already at the age of 26, he has 48 caps for Italy and has made almost 300 appearances for the club. For Fiorentina and Juventus, he has 66 goals and 48 assists in 284 games. The move to Leeds was always quite fanciful.