Wellington Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano says new recruit and traditional winger Carlo Armiento could be used as a left-back following his return to the Isuzu UTE A-League from Europe.
The 26-year-old joined the club on Tuesday, ending a one-year stint in Italy at Serie C side Turris.
READ MORE: Phoenix lure Aussie winger back to the Isuzu UTE A-League after Italian adventure
Armiento is no stranger to the Isuzu UTE A-League, having spent time at Adelaide United, Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar.
CLICK HERE TO HEAD TO THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE TRANSFER CENTRE
A direct winger with a wand of a left foot, Armiento is capable of the spectacular in the final third, but heading into his first season at the Phoenix, the traditional attacker has been earmarked as a potential replacement for left-sided defender Sam Sutton, who has left the club for Perth Glory.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s trip to Perth to take on the Glory in the Round of 32 of the Hahn Australia Cup 2025, Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano said he’s considering all of the club’s left-footed players for the role.
“Lucas (Kelly-Heald) has played left-back a number of times,” Italiano said. “Carlo’s got a left foot, we might get another left footer as well – we’ll see.
“I think Carlo has many attributes, and I think his left foot is probably one of the best in the league, and I want to get him into attacking situations, but the way we’re going to play, he might have to come and defend a little bit as well.”
But Phoenix fans eager to see their new signing in action will be forced to wait a while longer, as Italiano confirmed midfielder Paulo Retre would be the only senior player added to the travelling squad for the Glory clash following a 1-0 friendly win over AFC Wrexham at Sky Stadium last week.
READ MORE
BECKHAM SIGNS: City academy gun goes pro after stints at Euro giants
NEW SIGNING: Adelaide appoint new Head of Youth who has helped shape next gen
RE-SIGNING: Phoenix hand international defender new multi-year deal
FULL SQUAD: Big names included in AC Milan squad to take on Perth Glory
Joining Italiano at Thursday’s press conference, Armiento conceded that Sunday’s Round of 32 clash would come too soon for him to make his debut.
“I’d love to be involved, especially to go back to Perth, but I think the strength and conditioning coach and Chiefy (Italiano) have put a good plan for me together,” Armiento said.
“I think it’s it’s too early in the season, and yeah, there’s a long season ahead. I just didn’t get my body fit, and hopefully when the season starts, I can get going.”
Armiento is one of two new arrivals at the Phoenix this off-season, with Nigerian striker Ifeanyi Eze also unavailable for Sunday’s Australia Cup clash as he waits to obtain his New Zealand work visa.
Eze’s arrival at the club means Italiano has now filled four of the club’s five visa spots ahead of the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025-26 season.
CLICK HERE TO HEAD TO THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE TRANSFER CENTRE
When asked how the club plans to fill the final slot, Italiano identified defence and attack as two areas the club hope to strengthen, and that internal discussions over the best course of action will not be rushed.
“It’s an ongoing debate of what the right choice is,” he said. “I think you need some experience at the back in terms of seniority and leadership. It doesn’t really need to be an older player. It just needs to be someone that can lead. So I’m looking for that.
“I’m also looking for someone that can score goals and create goals, and it’s just a matter of finding that fine balancing act.
“I’d say the local market, both Australian and Kiwi, is a little bit bare at the moment in terms of those positions, because obviously the good ones are taken up or have contracts already or snapped up earlier. But again, I’m not going to rush into that. You really need to find the right balance.”
The Phoenix face Perth Glory at Olympic Stadium in Perth on Sunday, July 27 at 5pm AEST in the Round of 32 of the 2025 Hahn Australia Cup.
Perth Glory vs Wellington Phoenix
Kick-off: 3:00pm AWST
Venue: Olympic Stadium
Broadcast: Watch Live and Free on 10.com.au or on the Football Australia YouTube channel HERE.
