In electrical terminology, a jack is a socket that connects two circuits; it's kind of what Jack Bonaventura does on the pitch. One of the best midfielders in our domestic league, he is the link between defence and attack; he is a genuine 'all-rounder', with the ability to make timely runs forward and frequently get shots on goal. On Monday in his press conference, Spalletti explained that he would have liked to have called him up in September's squad, but the midfielder's age - 34 years old last August - held him back slightly. The Head Coach compared him with Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid's 20-year-old English midfielder. The feeling is that, like a fine wine, Jack is getting better with age. After an excellent season last year, he has carried that on with another superb start to this one, providing two assist and grabbing four goals, most recently on Sunday evening against Napoli at the Maradona. In Serie A, he has been involved in the most number of goals, for his position, a stat that backs up why he has been called up for the first time in three years.

“I was quietly hoping to get the call," he admitted in this afternoon's press conference. "The National team play in a similar way to Fiorentina and I feel that I can help out. I thought I wasn't going to get another chance after seeing many young players get the nod ahead of me the last few years; I thought there was no more room for me. But if you can show you're among the best in your role then it's right you get selected.” Jack dedicates the call-up to his father, who sadly passed away a year ago (“because he was very proud when he saw me represent my country”) and doesn't hide the fact that going to the Euros, next summer, is clear aim: “If I can have a great season with Fiorentina then there's no reason why I can't continue playing for the National team. I'm determined to do well, to train hard and look to improve day on day, because you can always get better, even at 34 years of age.”

Since his debut in 2013, under Cesare Prandelli, he has collected 15 caps and, incredibly, never scored, a stat that is rather out of sync considering he is the only player to have netted more than once in Serie A's last 13 seasons. It is also surprising that one of the best midifielders in Italy over the last few years has never taken part in a World Cup or the European Championships: “I was first called up ten years ago. I've probably had a few tough moments with the National team, but I've always given my best. Every time I come here, I've always given everything I have because representing your country is the dream for everyone. Obviously, there are things that are out of your control. The past is the past; I don't have any regrets. I never gave up and being here at 34 years of age is really satisfying."

In Florence, his top performances have also been thanks to Vincenzo Italiano, a Head Coach that is highly thought of by Luciano Spalletti: “Fiorentina has been the perfect place to get back performing to a high level. After leaving AC Milan, I really wanted to show that I was still a big player. From what I have seen over recent days, the way the gaffer wants to play is similar to Italiano's: there are some things that are different, but on the whole it's a similar setup." And it looks like Spalletti's team is a good fit for Bonaventura: “To play they way he wants, a dynamic midifield is needed, one that can do both sides of the game: we need to have players attacking the box, getting attempts off on goal and pressing high. For the type of midfielders we have, I think Italy can do well." There was also a question about one day managing, and he replied: “No, I'm just thinking about playing.” Playing like this, the dugout can wait a little while yet.