Sporting signing impresses and Mancini could leave Rui Borges short | OneFootball

Issa Doumbia is getting ever closer to reaching Italy’s senior national team. Roberto Mancini travelled to Alvalade to watch the Sporting midfielder in person and is said to have left convinced by what he saw from the 'number 77'.

According to reports in the Italian press, the national team coach has in fact decided to include Doumbia in the next squad for the Nations League fixtures, thus depriving Rui Borges of the player during that period. His physique, ability to get into advanced areas and the high amount of playing time he has had for the Lions are said to particularly appeal to Mancini.

The possible call-up comes after the midfielder’s rapid rise. After standing out while playing for Venezia, first in Serie B and then in Serie A, Doumbia moved to Alvalade and hardly needed any adaptation period to win over Rui Borges.

The midfielder has started all six matches played by Sporting so far, five in the league and one in the Champions League, totalling 491 minutes and one assist. The consistency he has shown since arriving at the green-and-whites has helped strengthen his case for the Azzurri.

The decision carries particular significance after Doumbia’s international future had drawn attention in recent months. The player was also on Ivory Coast’s radar, but his intention to represent Italy gathered momentum and Mancini’s long-awaited call-up could now make that scenario a reality.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.