Roma target Scuffet: 'Good job I didn't sign with Milan!'
“Milan came knocking in January last year, but they wanted me only for their Primavera [youth team]," Scuffet told the Corriere dello Sport.
“It’s a good job nothing came of it, because I ended up making my Serie A debut with Udinese soon after.
“I’m not tempted to play for a big club right now, I’m still young and want to grow and mature gradually.”
This is a remarkable show of maturity from the 19-year old goalkeeper, who took Serie A by storm in the beginning of 2014.
Aged just 17, Scuffet made his Serie A debut for Udinese against Bologna in February 2014, going on to rack up an impressive nine clean sheets and leaving error-prone shot stopper Zeljko Brkic and substitute Ivan Kelava on the bench.
Last season, however, Zebrette manager Andrea Stramaccioni opted for Greek international Orestis Karnezis instead, prompting Scuffet to seek a move elsewhere.
His choice of a Serie B side, however, was to shock many.
“People thought that my playing in Serie B was out of the question, some were doubtful, but I never was,”
“The longer I’ve been here, the more I believe I made the right choice. People work well here, this is a group of guys who are up to the challenge.
“I need to play regularly, and to have the manager’s faith. I’ve found an ideal one here, everyone believes in me”.
Scuffet drew rave reviews for his performances in 2013-2014, and is still arguably Italy’s most promising youth prospect between the sticks, having even been compared to the legendary Dino Zoff.
“Being compared to Dino Zoff is a proud moment for me, but this doesn’t mean I should think I’ve arrived.
“I’ve learned a lot from Samir Handanovic, I’ve always been impressed by the seriousness and effort he puts into training. However Buffon is still my idol."
The smart money is on Scuffet making a very quick Serie A return, with the goalkeeper linked to Roma, something the youngster denies.
“My future depends a lot from this season, I’m very concentrated.
“I’ve had no contact with Roma, but another year on the bench isn’t what’s best for me.”
