THE FOOTBALL MARKET PAGE
One more month, then everything (at least until January) will be over. The transfer market has entered the hot phase of the summer, the one in which, ça va sans dire, the biggest barrels explode. The bulk, therefore, has yet to happen, for better or for worse. Yes, because the blows can be incoming (to the delight of the fans) and outgoing (and this time, the fans themselves would laugh a little less). With these necessary premises, let's try to give votes to the current market of the "six sisters" of Italy, those who, at least on paper, will play for the next championship. In the hope that no one will be offended (but we already know it won't be like this), let's judge, in strict descending order, the teams in question.
NAPOLI 7,5
The palm of the market, at the moment, is undoubtedly the Napoli of Aurelio De Laurentiis. Targeted and quality purchases, as well as (if not above all) very heavy confirmations. Starting with Walter Mazzarri, who seemed destined to leave Vesuvius, and who instead decided to continue working on the Naples project. Without the coach of miracles, the blues would have lost a lot; of course, it remains to be seen what will happen in the first moment of difficulty (there were cracks between the president and the coach, and they could reopen), but at the moment the coach from Livorno seems to have full control over the situation. However, it is and will always be the champions who make the fans dream, which is why having withstood the assaults of Milan and Manchester City for Hamsik and Lavezzi is a sign of strength and ambition. But Bigon (the real architect of the blue market) has also added quality to the squad, thus filling what, last year, was Napoli's biggest gap: the short squad. With Inler (16 million to Udinese), Dzemaili (9 million plus Blasi and Santacroce to Parma), Britos (7 million plus Aronica), Santana and Donadel (zero transfers from Fiorentina), without forgetting Federico Fernandez (3 million to Estudiantes ), a young Argentine defender taken in January, Napoli's average quality has visibly risen. Now, only one deputy is missing – Cavani (Lucarelli does not guarantee enough from a physical point of view), then, the Napoli transfer market can truly define itself as a Champions League.
Juventus 7
As we write, the purchase of Mirko Vucinic is not yet official, but everything suggests that the Montenegrin will play for Juventus (18 million will go to Roma). And then, the vote rises significantly, because the player could really raise the quality of the black and whites. Furthermore, Vucinic can cover several roles (second striker, winger, at the limit man of the flank), ideal for the "chameleonic" Juve promised by Antonio Conte. But the black and white market is far from finished. Marotta is looking for an experienced central defender: we are talking about Diego Lugano, the 30-year-old Uruguayan from Fenerbahce, even though, in our opinion, Juventus would need a top player in the role (Rolando del Porto?). But Conte's real concern is above all the left winger. Marchisio would be adapted, Vucinic could hardly guarantee the full-field work necessary for that role. The hottest names are those of Vargas (Fiorentina) and Bastos (Lyon), with the Peruvian clearly favored, for a whole series of reasons. Were to complete the squad with these purchases, Juve could really apply for the title. In fact, the players already taken by Marotta should not be forgotten, some with truly admirable operations. Pirlo on a free transfer means quality at a low price (the salary, for such players, must still be taken into account). If anything, the doubts are about the physical condition of the former AC Milan player, but at the moment, everything is going wonderfully. Arturo Vidal then, seems to be the right man to give new impetus to the central department. Also pursued by Bayern Munich (who was rather burned by the black and white rat), the Chilean is presented as one of the most anticipated players in our Serie A. A few more doubts, however, concern the full-backs. Steps for Licthsteiner (good player, but perhaps the 10 million paid to Lazio are too much), but Ziegler, albeit on a free transfer, does not seem to give enough guarantees on the left wing. Conte knows it too, which is why buying a quality central defender (which would allow Chiellini to be moved to the left) would be the touch of class for Juventus. Then you have to sell, but that's a whole other story. It is not easy to remedy mistakes (even those of others): Martinez, Motta, Amauri, Iaquinta… let's stop here, otherwise we would need at least another page. Meanwhile, however, we record the transfers of Melo (actually "given" for a year) and Sissoko (8 million to PSG). A good start, which tastes so much like a new course.
LAZIO 7
After Juve only for alphabetical reasons, the biancocelesti are undoubtedly on the market podium. Claudio Lotito in fact, not only bought quality players, but, a far from secondary detail, he did it before the meeting. So Reja has been working with all the men since day one, an important detail for anyone who has to assemble a team. Apart from Klose and Cissè (the names that inflame the Lazio people the most), Lotito and Tare were very good at replacing all the starters, succeeding in the difficult task of maintaining the same level, even earning something. Muslera was sold (tremendously discontinuous), Marchetti arrived (until last year in the national orbit), via Lichtsteiner, here is Konko, without forgetting the Albanian Cana, a kind tribute from Galatasaray. Also not to be underestimated are the arrivals of Stankevicius (Sampdoria) and Lulic (Young Boys). The last month of the transfer market will be dedicated above all to thinning out the squad, with Floccari number one on the starting list. But Lotito, in all likelihood, will still give the square something. Reja is still asking for a quality midfielder (Pjanic? Parolo? Konè?), and perhaps an alternative in defense for Biava and Dias (Gabi Milito?). And then yes, the people of Lazio will be able to dream.
MILAN 6
Strange market that of the champions of Italy. Immediately three blows (Mexes, Taiwo and El Shaarawy), then, an unnerving silence, for the fans and insiders. But both categories can rest assured, because Milan has promised a great signing, making the wait spectacular as only in via Turati can do (the creation of the famous "Mister X"). But at the moment, student spirit aside (see bizarre identikit), no drafts come out of the Rossoneri offices. Something big is brewing, but the Lodo Mondadori has definitely cooled the enthusiasm. Had there not been the sentence of the Milan Court of Appeal, Pastore most likely would not have gone to Paris, and this leads us to make two reflections: the first is that perhaps Milan no longer have all these funds (but all horizon is the spin-off of the club from Fininvest), the second, decidedly more technical, is that the Rossoneri are not just looking for a left midfielder. That could be Montolivo, increasingly on course with Fiorentina, while for the big blow, we could look a few meters ahead, to be precise on the trocar. The return of Kakà, at the moment, seems above all a tearful story good for the nostalgic (but Berlusconi is one of them, see Shevchenko), even if, with the passing of the days, he is gaining more and more ground. The name of Fabregas remains alive, someone capable of playing everywhere, while Schweinsteiger's candidacy seems to have vanished. Mister X aside (who will certainly raise the final mark), the Rossoneri still deserve full passing marks. The operations Mexes and Taiwo (taken on a free transfer from Roma and Marseille), raise the defensive quality of Milan without affecting the balance, moreover, the arrival of El Shaarawy, one of the best young Italians around, should not be underestimated. The Rossoneri have only one gripe: having lost Pirlo on a free transfer. But, if “Mister X” really arrives, we are ready to bet that no one will remember him anymore.
ROME 5,5
Difficult to make a judgment on the Roma transfer market. Considering only the corporate difficulties (to date, the closing between Unicredit and DiBenedetto has not yet arrived!), Walter Sabatini deserves full sufficiency, but, analyzing well the transactions concluded so far (incoming and above all outgoing), 5 does not deprive him Nobody. And so, here's the compromise, a 5,5 that doesn't reject Roma entirely, but which makes it clear that in this way, we really risk a complicated season. Bojan and Lamela have arrived, it's true, but the former in Barcelona (and in Spain) was mainly on the bench, the latter is a very promising boy, but with very little professional experience. For two young promises/unknowns, two certainties started. Jeremy Menez has certainly not shone for continuity in recent years, but he has certainly shown very important things. His transfer is okay (the Frenchman had a bad relationship with the fans), but the amount collected is not convincing (8 million to PSG, like the desaparecido Sissoko!) Mirko Vucinic on the other hand, has not yet been officially sold, but everything suggests that will go away. The 18 million that Roma will collect are a good amount, but they will have to be reinvested in a striker of the same level. Nilmar would be fine, but freeing him from Villarreal won't be easy (Juventus know something about it). Then the goalkeeper rebus continues. It seems incredible, but the Giallorossi have not yet replaced Doni and Julio Sergio (one sold to Liverpool, the other loaned to Lecce). Everything seemed fine with Stekelenburg, then payment problems arose (but the deal should close anyway). Standing by are Romero from Az Alkmaar (a much lower alternative) and Storari (who, however, has a high salary). In defence, the Norwegian Riise (Fulham) was replaced by the mysterious Josè Angel Valdes, strongly desired by Luis Enrique. Yes, even the technician is an unknown, albeit fascinating. The former Barça B has never coached in the first team, even if the Catalan school offers several guarantees. Even in defense the building site is always open: via Mexes, here is Heinze. Too little, definitely something more is needed. Furthermore, Sabatini always has the De Rossi case in his hands, one of the thorniest ever. In short, there wouldn't be much to smile about, were it not for the fact that, at the end of the market, there is still a month to go.
INTER 5
The wooden spoon, at the moment, is taken by Inter. Total immobilism for the Nerazzurri, without apparent justifications (unlike Roma). Steps for not having sold anyone (for the moment), but this stalemate (see Sneijder and Eto'o) is certainly not good for the Nerazzurri. Let's be clear, Inter are a top-level team, so they need fewer interventions than the others. But last year, he showed that time is passing even for the Nerazzurri heroes, capable of giving fans that Champions League that they have been waiting for 45 years. There were a lot of muscle injuries, which is why many think that the squad needs to be refreshed a lot, especially in midfield. At the moment, however, there are only two reinforcements, and moreover in other departments. Alvarez and Jonathan are young promises, the Inter fans are asking for more. Gasperini's experiments (Sneijder in midfield) show that the coach from Grugliasco wants more quality in the middle. The ideal, just to be clear, would be Cesc Fabregas, but at the moment there are no moves in this direction. It is true that the deadline is still a month away, but the negotiations must be set up sooner. Should a big player leave, surely something would be done, otherwise the feeling is that the Nerazzurri won't make sensational moves. Palacio could arrive, as well as the young Casemiro (who will perhaps be parked in Genoa). Mariga and Muntari will leave, and Inter will be able to replace them. The Tevez case deserves a separate discussion. The Argentine is a great striker, there's no doubt about that, but it would be one thing to have him in addition to the current strikers, another if he were to replace Samuel Eto'o. The Cameroonian is Inter's true top player, letting him leave would weaken the Nerazzurri regardless. It is true that history (the Ibrahimovic case) teaches that one can strengthen oneself even by giving in, but it is equally true that the same story hardly repeats itself twice.
