Moise Kean’s Redemption in Palladino’s Fiorentina

One of the cousins of the “Seven Sisters” in Italian football, Fiorentina currently sit fifth in the Serie A table with 45 points and a game in hand. Raffaele Palladino, who took over as head coach last summer, brought in Moise Kean for €13 million in the same transfer window. Now, halfway through the season, Kean has scored 15 goals in 21 league appearances. However, his journey to this point has not been as smooth as it may seem.

The Italian striker’s career has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs. A product of Juventus’ academy, Kean never truly found his footing with the ‘Bianconeri’. Despite his immense potential, Juventus repeatedly sent him out on loan to various European clubs, hoping he would develop into the player they envisioned. However, he never managed to reach his current beast-like form during those spells. In 2019, when Pavel Nedvěd sanctioned Kean’s sale for just €27 million, it raised eyebrows, including those of José Mourinho, who found the decision surprising. Now, at Fiorentina, Kean has finally found a system that maximizes his strengths, proving that sometimes a change of environment is all a player needs to fulfill their potential.

“I am a little surprised,” he said  “To sell him such a young striker, why? If I find Nedved around the corner, I would ask him, why did you sell him? Then probably I would understand.”

Though Moise Kean managed to score only two goals in 29 Premier League appearances for Everton, his fortunes took a dramatic turn the following season. Sent on loan to Paris Saint-Germain, he enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, netting 13 goals in 26 league matches. However, stability continued to elude him as he was repeatedly shuffled between Everton and Juventus in subsequent seasons.

Now, at Fiorentina, Kean finally seems to have found the club where he truly belongs. Under Raffaele Palladino, he has rediscovered his best form. Proving that sometimes, the right environment is all a player needs to thrive.

Raffaele Palladino’s Game Method

Raffaele Palladino’s 4-2-3-1 system is built on a solid defensive foundation, with two holding midfielders ensuring stability while enabling swift transitions into attack. The shape offers natural width through wingers. While the central attacking midfielder provides a crucial link between midfield and attack, opening up multiple avenues to progress the play. Leading the line, Moise Kean is pivotal not just as a finisher, but as the focal point around which Fiorentina’s offensive movements revolve.

However, they occasionally interchange formation and shift into 4-3-3 and 3-4-3Kean’s ability to hold up play and make direct runs behind defenses is crucial in transition.  Full-backs Dodo and Biraghi provide attacking width, delivering early crosses into the box while overlapping. With pacey wingers like Andrea Colpani Fiorentina is lethal on the break, often capitalizing on defensive gaps.

Moise Kean In Palladino’s Setting

Moise Kean has emerged as a pivotal figure in Fiorentina’s attacking framework, seamlessly blending positional awareness, link-up play, and goal-scoring efficiency. His resurgence under Raffaele Palladino has not only bolstered the club’s offensive output but has also redefined his role as a modern striker.

At the heart of Kean’s impact lies his exceptional positional intelligence. Unlike conventional forwards who rely purely on physicality, Kean thrives on movement and spatial awareness. His ability to exploit gaps between defenders disrupts opposition structures, creating openings for teammates. Heat maps from this season illustrate a forward constantly positioned 8-12 meters ahead of the midfield line, ensuring he remains a persistent threat in the final third. This nuanced movement has significantly benefited Fiorentina’s wide players, particularly Andrea Colpani and Riccardo Sottil(currently on loan to AC Milan), who capitalize on the space Kean generates by pulling defenders out of position.

Statistically, his influence is evident—he boasts a 76% pass completion rate in the final third, averages 1.8 key passes per match, and executes pressing actions with a 58% success rate. These numbers highlight his ability to not only hold up play but also disrupt opposition build-ups, aligning perfectly with Palladino’s high-pressing philosophy.

If Nobody Then Data Talks

Kean’s resurgence is also reflected in his finishing prowess, an area where he has shown remarkable improvement. No longer plagued by inconsistency, he has refined his shot selection, resulting in a conversion rate of 19.4%—one of the highest in Serie A. As I mentioned before with 15 goals in 21 league appearances this season, his finishing has been both clinical and versatile. The breakdown of his goals underlines his ability to score from different situations—ten with his right foot, three with his left, and two from headers. This unpredictability has made him a nightmare for defenders, forcing them to remain on high alert whenever he is in possession.

Fiorentina’s attacking structure has benefitted immensely from Kean’s attributes. His presence enhances multiple facets of their offensive approach, particularly in transition play. The team has been lethal on the counter, with 40% of their goals this season originating from rapid breaks. Kean’s ability to make incisive runs has made him a vital outlet during these transitions, evidenced by his impressive 72% success rate in counter-attacking dribbles.

His physicality, often overshadowed by his speed and agility, has also played a crucial role in Fiorentina’s strategy. With an aerial duel success rate of 54%, Kean provides a strong presence inside the penalty area, making him a key target for crosses. Palladino’s system has leveraged this strength effectively, ensuring that Fiorentina can vary their attacking patterns by utilizing both ground and aerial threats.

So far, Fiorentina’s 2024-25 campaign has been shaped by a disciplined pressing system, swift attacking transitions, and the clinical form of Moise Kean. Under Raffaele Palladino’s tactical guidance, the team has emerged as strong contenders for a Champions League berth, showcasing how one should be at the right place at the right time.