Sassuolo target Italian midfielder to replace injured Canada star Koné

Sassuolo target Italian midfielder to replace injured Canada star Koné Ismael Koné suffered a serious injury during the 2026 World Cup, so his club, Sassuolo, is already working to find a valuable replacement on the market. Canada star Koné suffered a shocking injury during a 4-0 win over Qatar in the group phase of the 2026 World Cup this past June, meaning that the talented Sassuolo midfielder will be forced to miss several months of action, including the pre-season with Sassuolo and a big part of the 2026-27 campaign. “Koné means everything to this team,” said Juventus and Canada striker Jonathan David after Koné’s injury. “If you ask the same question to any guy on this team, they will tell you the same. He is someone that we love a lot.” Canada coach Jesse Marsch added: “Ismael is such a great kid – he’s so imperfect, but that’s part of why you love him. Because he can do great things that nobody else can do, then the next moment he loses concentration. He embodies us as a team, it’s a huge loss for us. “He’ll be fine; we’ll get him good doctors and get him back, but that kid is a big part of our future and everything we do.” Naturally, Koné’s club Sassuolo are already looking for a potential replacement in central midfield, and according to several sources in Italy, Fiorentina’s Marco Brescianini is one of the options already lined up by the Emilia-Romagna-based club. Sassuolo have already undergone substantial changes since the end of the 2025-26 season, during which they secured comfortable survival under Fabio Grosso, as expected by experts at soccer betting, Canada . Koné, 24, played a key role for Sassuolo, scoring six goals in 35 Serie A appearances in his first season in Italy’s top flight. Brescianini spent the first part of 2025-26 at Atalanta before joining Fiorentina on loan in the January transfer window. His switch was made permanent at the end of the season, following the Tuscans’ survival, but it is believed that La Viola will be keen to listen to offers for the Italian midfielder this summer. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 18: Players of Canada react as Ismael Kone #8 of Canada receives medical attention during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Canada and Qatar at BC Place Vancouver on June 18, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images) Ironically, Fiorentina have hired Grosso from Sassuolo as their new head coach, while the Neroverdi appointed a former Fiorentina midfielder, Alberto Aquilani, who will lead a Serie A team for the first time in his career. Another big change for Sassuolo was the departure of their CEO, Giovanni Carnevali, after 12 years, as the 65-year-old moved to Juventus to replace Damien Comolli, becoming the new Bianconeri’s CEO and General Manager.