From Fabregas to Ranieri, the summer of no

It's the time of no thanks, of those who politely decline, walk away, turn on their heels and go. They've thought about it, but they have better things to do. They thank you for the thought, but all it took was a tie, a three-year contract or even a better historical moment. It's Italian football in refusal mode. Soundtrack of the summer: there are those who say no, I'm not moving. Ranieri refuses the national team with a late-night WhatsApp to Gravina , he wants to let it be known that the decision is his alone, of course. It was all done, but also no. FIGC taken aback, Italy at a standstill. They should know: it's the nos that help you grow. But who knows when, who knows if it will ever happen. Basic psychology: the fear of rejection manifests itself with an anxious and persistent expectation of being rejected. And then Ranieri (maybe) did some calculations and thought: but who makes me do it?

Fabregas rejected Inter through a third party , that is, first he winked - go ahead and talk about it - then he deferred to the will of those who govern Como . It had already happened this way when Bayer Leverkusen had come forward tempting the Spanish coach. But it seems that even Vieira - in the middle of the ballot that saw him in the running with Chivu for the Nerazzurri bench - took his time, to decide if it was worth it. Call them if you want: reflections.

Next: a few weeks ago, when the rift with Napoli seemed unbridgeable, Conte got closer and then distanced himself from Juventus, just as Gasperini deflected the latest Juventus assault, since he had already reached an agreement with Roma.

Now we discover that it is fashionable to refuse. A no is a no. And without even the hypocrisy of "thank you, we'll let you know" at the bottom. Will I be noticed more if I come and stay out of the way or if I don't come at all? Nanni Moretti, but also Francesco Acerbi who - before the epochal defeat of our national team took the form of the gaping mouth in Munch's Scream (who by pure chance is Norwegian) - does not respond to Spalletti's call, gets angry on social media and demands respect, him. The fact is that then a short circuit is triggered because before saying goodbye with the most desolate farewell that an Italian coach has ever consumed, Luciano Spalletti launches poisoned arrows against those players who - oh my muscle, oh how sore - have an excuse made and abandon Coverciano to return to their club. "He refuses us, the national team must not be called up again", thunders the former coach awaiting trial. Then we can cover the waste in whipped cream, but it will still be waste.

Pippo Inzaghi goes up to Serie A with Pisa but - as the president of the Tuscan club explained his farewell - "he showed uncertainty about facing a Serie A championship". Palermo is better, being in Serie B, a category that Superpippo probably considers more suited to his figure.

It's also a question of a given word. So Stefano Pioli, who has already reached an agreement with Fiorentina, threw up his hands in the face of Gravina's offer. Sorry, you arrived late. And it's also a question of choices. However, refusal is a valid solution at all latitudes. Robert Lewandowski abandoned the Polish training camp a couple of days ago, refusing to take the field. The reason? The Polish coach took the captain's armband from him (and gave it to Zielinski), the locker room rejoiced (champagne corks were flying) and the centre forward couldn't handle the insult. So no, I'm not playing anymore, I'm leaving.

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