It's only from looking back at footage and photos of Paul Gascoigne at SS Lazio that I realised he once sported a ponytail.
It's one of those minor details that spring up when you look at what was a fascinating and compelling period in the former England and Tottenham maverick's career, one where it's hard to judge how close the experience was to the 'good' or 'bad' end of the scales.
Gazza's spell in Serie A is the subject of new book Gazza In Italy by football writer Daniel Storey (foreword written by one of our past Team 33 interviewees James Richardson of Gazzetta Football Italia fame):
You can now pre-order the hard copy of Gazza in Italy, out on September 20.
My account of Paul Gascoigne's move to, life in and impact on Italian football. https://t.co/7WJ1ZW1wjU pic.twitter.com/RcbwUORE2u
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) August 13, 2018
Daniel joined me on this week's Team 33 to look back at how Gazza's move to Lazio never got off on the right foot, how he was in constant conflict with the Italian press, how he adapted as an off-the-cuff genius to what has always been a tactical league and why he is beloved by the fans of the sky blue half of Rome.
You can listen to the full chat on the podcast player below or on iTunes as well as the video player above:
Also on this week's show, we discussed the effect of dominant teams in sport and what, if anything, should be done about it:
Apart from Gary Neville and Arsenal Fan TV founder Robbie Lyle, recent interviews on Team 33 include former Man United cult hero Andrei Kanchelskis, ex-England international Carlton Palmer, former Newcastle and Everton left back Alessandro Pistone, Chelsea legends Bobby Tambling and Paddy Mulligan, Dutch legend Johan Neeskens, ex-England striker Darius Vassell, Liverpool legend David Fairclough, former Ireland midfielder Mark Kinsella, USA captain Eric Lichaj and former Everton forward Tomasz Radzinski. Plus our in-depth chats with Tony Coton, Packie Bonner, Nobby Solano, Ron Atkinson and Alan Curbishley are still available on iTunes. You can find them all in one place by subscribing to Team 33 on iTunes.
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