Torino coach D’Aversa gives Che Adams update ahead of Parma clash

Roberto D’Aversa has described Friday’s home fixture against Parma as “a first match point to move closer to safety,” with the Torino head coach facing a wealth of selection decisions ahead of what he considers a pivotal Serie A clash.

The most eagerly awaited update concerned Che Adams, with D’Aversa confirming the Scottish forward is in contention to start despite not yet being able to last a full 90 minutes.

“By his characteristics he is very technical and could be vital in a game like tomorrow’s,” D’Aversa said, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“He doesn’t have 90 minutes in his legs, but that doesn’t mean he won’t start, within a match there are multiple phases, and my choice doesn’t depend solely on his fitness levels.”

Torino coach D’Aversa provides Adams & Nkounkou updates

D’Aversa was equally upbeat about Nkounkou, who has trained normally despite a minor complaint, and offered an interesting tactical distinction between two of his wider options.

“Njie is an attacking wide player who works best on the opposite flank,” he noted, suggesting the two are not direct rivals for the same position.

Cesare Casadei was identified as a player with enormous potential who has yet to fully harness it on a consistent basis.

“When he realises the quality he has, he will need to find consistency in his weekly work,” D’Aversa said, acknowledging that the midfielder has also been hampered by physical problems.

One particularly touching moment came in the coach’s assessment of Faustino Anjorin, who lost his grandmother this week but chose to remain with the squad and train throughout.

“In the space of two weeks he has grown enormously, I am starting to see the Anjorin from last season at Empoli,” D’Aversa said warmly.

With only Aboukhlal ruled out through injury, Torino go into the match with a near-fully fit squad — and a coach who, for once, has too many options rather than too few.