Andrea Mancini - A point to prove

The further development of social media has bridge the gap between the world of soccer comprised of players, coaches and the rest of the personnel and the fans, as the latter can be updated on what is happening at their favourite club or in any corner of the globe on a daily basis.

Therefore, any player is subject to praise or criticism, can became a cult hero in one and make a name for himself, as they are all under the public's microscope, whether their particular action has positive or negative repercussions

However, it is not always easy to emerge from the shadow which may hinder your development, especially if you are the son of a former soccer player who has accomplished an illustrious career.

Andrea Mancini is the perfect demonstration for my statement.

Son of former Sampdoria legend Roberto Mancini, who later on went to coach Lazio, Inter and Manchester City, with whom he clinched everything at domestic level, Andrea has had to dig deeper in order to provide himself a career based on meritocracy and not on favoritism.

As he is currently undergoing the preseason with New York Cosmos, whom he will be representing in the next NASL campaign, we take a look at his journey from 'the son of Roberto Mancini' to just 'Andrea Mancini.'

New York Cosmos adventure 2.0

Mancini was announced by the club last February, with Head Coach Giovanni Savarese immediately pointing out the importance of this signing.

“We expect Andrea to compete for playing time this season,” he said.

“He will add depth to our roster and will look into contributing to our overall progress throughout the season.”

Meanwhile, Mancini's first comments felt as a relief for himself as he will be able to pursue his career in a club where he has already been and where he will find his former teammates, which eventually will make his adjustment in NASL and United States itself, as smooth as it can be.

"I am very happy to be rejoining a team with a winning mentality that has achieved so much in recent years,” Mancini revealed.

Steve Hamlin - TICC

His second spell is the real test

His previous spell at the club had commenced last September, when he was added to the ranks after being released by D.C. United with whom he featured only once, against Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the US Open Cup.

Nonetheless, his short spell cannot be judged as successful, but neither as a failure as it is never easy for a player to come in a new team, at such a delicate moment and implement his game, especially is he is still young.

One hopes that the upcoming campaign can be the real gauge for his talent and the focus will be on whether he can maximize his talent and carry much of the offensive responsibilities on his shoulders.

The arrivals of two veteran players of the calibre of Amauri and Marco Marchionni, both former Serie A players can be a game changer for Mancini.

With the Italian language being a common denominator for the trio, their offensive combinations can be applied as early as in their first fixtures as there won't be any language barrier.

Moreover, the skills acquired from the Italian league will also ease Mancini's work in the midfield, if he is deployed behind Amauri, flanking Marchionni.

Speaking of their offensive maneuvers, this was already highlighted in their recent friendly against the Dominican Republic National Team.

Amauri notched the ball towards Mancini and the former Inter and Manchester City youth lifted the ball over the goalkeeper to seal the win for the Cosmos - a piece of quality with which Savarese hopes to threaten all their opponents.

Journeyman at such a young age

Still not 25, Mancini can already be referred as a soccer journeyman having been in not less than five countries across two continents.

Prior to his short stint at D.C. United, Mancini was part of Inter's academy while his father, Roberto, was coaching the senior side and winning the Scudetto (The Italian Championship), and he had also appeared for Monza's Primavera on a loan spell.

When Roberto parted ways with Inter, his son left as well and Bologna immediately added him to their youth ranks.

Nonetheless, he still followed his father later on when he embarked on an English adventure at the illustrious academy of Manchester City.

He did quite well with the Citizens, appearing 10 times and registering two goals and three assists.

Yet, it was enough to earn him a senor contract and he was directed to Oldham Athletic in League One on loan and afterwards he was back to native Italy, after agreeing a move to Alma Juventus Fano.

In 2012, Manchester City released Mancini and the latter did not blink twice in embracing a new adventure as he went back to the Mediterranean region, but this time in Spain as he signed with Real Valladolid B.

In the Spanish league, he failed to leave his mark and he opted to move to Hungary, joining Honved, which is famous for recruiting Italian players.

At that time, the likes of Arturo Lupoli, former Arsenal youth, Emiliano Bonazzoli who was an icon at Reggina and Emanuele Testardi were all part of Honved's roster.

The following season, he moved to another Hungarian club, Szombathelyi Haladas with whom he ended the 2015 campaign before taking a transatlantic flight to join D.C. United, the club owned by former Inter president Erick Thohir.

Daily Mail