Palmieri has been with Sassuolo for 12 years and has spent the last three as sporting director of the first team. He says the club’s commitment to developing young players remains central to its plans.
“When choices are made, it is because you believe in them,” Palmieri told Sky Sport. “I have learned working with young players that there is a big difference between those who do it and those who believe in it.”
Sassuolo appointed Aquilani as their new head coach during the summer after his work with Catanzaro, and Palmieri believes the former Italy international has already established a clear identity with the team.
“Aquilani has a great desire to propose attacking football, without fear of conceding,” Palmieri said.
“He instils a possession mentality to develop beautiful and proactive football.”
Palmieri also stressed that Sassuolo are keeping their expectations realistic despite the club’s ambition to build a team capable of progressing over time.
“We want to have a good season in a difficult league, knowing that we have to keep our feet on the ground and that the objective remains survival,” he said.
The sporting director believes the club have the right combination of youth and experience to achieve that target. Sassuolo have invested in young players while retaining established figures such as Domenico Berardi and Nemanja Matic.
“We want to invest in young players but also have champions like Matic and Berardi who are the driving force in the dressing room,” Palmieri said.
One of the summer additions was Sebastiano Esposito, a player Palmieri believes has significant potential. Sassuolo had the opportunity to sign the forward and chose to pursue the deal as part of their wider approach to recruitment.
“Sebastiano has enormous talent,” Palmieri said. “This summer we had the possibility of bringing him here and we did it with great desire.”
Palmieri believes the club’s structure gives the project time to develop. He also pointed to the continued backing of the Squinzi family as an important part of Sassuolo’s plans.
“We are trying to lay the foundations to continue and do something important,” he said.
For Aquilani, the comments provide backing from the sporting department as he begins his first season in charge. Sassuolo’s immediate target remains Serie A survival, but Palmieri wants the team’s attacking identity and commitment to young players to provide the basis for further progress.