“We are talking about a player who should make 50 movements to receive the ball, but doesn’t even make half unless he’s certain he’ll receive it,” Di Canio added.

“He didn’t even make a movement to open the space for his teammates, because he wasn’t sure he’d receive the pass.”

“Any striker, in any league, must work so hard. It’s difficult even for natural centre-forwards; imagine for a player who seems lazy almost every time he doesn’t have the ball.”

“He relaxed; he’s been cuddled, and he hasn’t had the determination or desire to keep improving,” continued Di Canio.

“The priority has almost become something else. Over the years, I don’t remember seeing so many fashion show videos or eight-hour recording sessions with record labels. You always say we shouldn’t look at the players’ private lives, but if someone spends four or five hours doing other things, their physical and mental energy gets drained.”

“It’s not like playing PlayStation for half an hour. If you’re spending six or seven hours with a record label and going to fashion shows, how are you supposed to regenerate the mental energy to play at this level?”