Monza head coach Giovanni Stroppa has praised young Inter-owned goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio as a top player and suggested that he can easily make the step up to Serie A.

Speaking in a press conference, as reported by FCInterNews, the coach denied rumours that the Serie B side had been interested in Gianluigu Buffon, and explained that this is because they are already happy with the performances of Di Gregorio.

Di Gregorio had played for a number of clubs in Italy’s second and third division on loan before joining Monza on loan in the summer of 2020, but he looks to have found the right environment in Brianza.

The 24-year-old has earned a spot as the starting keeper for the promotion hopefuls, and Stroppa’s words suggest that he could be more than this.

Should the Lombard team achieve promotion to Serie A, the Inter-owned keeper could remain a fixture in the starting eleven, as the coach believes he is ready to play in the Italian top flight.

“Buffon has nothing to do with Monza,” Stroppa stated. “With Dr. Galliani, as soon as I settled here, I immediately asked to bring back Di Gregorio, who seems to me to be a champion.”

He went on, “He adds value for the category, I think that he can also reach a higher category. I come from a higher category, I have seen the level of player that is in Serie A, and I think that Di Gregorio can do very well there.”