The air in the valley carries news swiftly, reaching even the team bus. A dedicated contingent of Torino supporters had already ascended to Prato allo Stelvio, finding their vantage point opposite the Swiss border and below the majestic peaks. Word had spread: Marco Baroni`s squad was due to arrive at the Garden Park Hotel, their luxurious base for the 2025 summer retreat, conveniently linked to the Sportzentrum Prad where preseason training would commence.
After traveling by charter train from Turin to Bolzano and then enduring a ninety-minute bus ride to the camp location, the Granata contingent pulled into the hotel parking lot just past 7 PM. They were met not with quiet solitude, but with a waiting group of fans. Amidst applause and chants, one player received particularly enthusiastic acclaim: Che Adams. The Scottish striker has quickly captivated the Torino faithful, and it seems he`s already made a significant commitment for the season ahead.
Having hinted at his ambition towards the end of his debut season in Italy, Adams reiterated his objective to teammates and the new coach, Marco Baroni, upon celebrating his 29th birthday recently. His aim is clear: to break the double-digit barrier specifically in Serie A. He came tantalizingly close last term, netting nine league goals, with an additional goal in the Coppa Italia pushing his overall tally to ten. For his second campaign with Torino, he`s set his sights squarely on achieving that ten-goal benchmark solely within the league competition. His immediate actions in preseason suggest this motivation runs deep.
Adams wasted no time getting back into the swing of things. He returned to Turin late on a Thursday, having concluded his international duties with Scotland a few days prior, granting him a brief extended break. By Friday morning, he was undergoing medical checks and initial tests in Turin. Remarkably, by Saturday, when the team was greeted by over two thousand fans at the Filadelfia training ground, he was already on the pitch participating. This swift integration is a positive indicator of his readiness and focus.
Having arrived as a promising “discovery” and quickly becoming a notable “revelation” last year, Adams now faces the expectation of “consecration” – solidifying his status as a consistently impactful Serie A player. The eventual return of captain Duvan Zapata, likely after the opening league fixtures, is expected to provide support. Coach Marco Baroni also appears to envision a multifaceted role for Adams throughout the year, which could significantly aid his quest for goals.
Initially, particularly while Zapata is sidelined, Adams is expected to operate as the central striker in Baroni`s planned 4-2-3-1 formation, shouldering the primary attacking burden. However, the second phase of the season could see Adams deployed in a potentially more intriguing capacity: as a second striker positioned just behind Duvan Zapata. Baroni`s system might even see him functioning as a “fake trequartista” – not a traditional attacking midfielder, but rather a deep-lying forward. This tactical nuance could reduce the defensive focus on him, offering less rigid marking and potentially opening up more space and clear sightlines towards goal. A slightly counter-intuitive path to goal-scoring success, perhaps, but one with clear potential benefits.
Further demonstrating his commitment, Adams was part of the small group of players who chose to train on the team`s designated rest day Sunday. These small signals accumulate. Meanwhile, the voices from the Valley continue to rise; the fans adore him and provide ample encouragement. Adams, typically understated, absorbs the support and reciprocates with smiles. The expectation, of course, is that the most impactful response will come on the pitch, delivered in the form of double-digit league goals.