Juventus Calciomercato Thread

[bandini]

welcome tonykart. Good to see another Juve fan on board. Introduce yourself in the new signings section when you get a chance so everyone can welcome you.

[tonykart]

Originally Posted by azzurri

I'm not sure if Stendardo is worth Lazio's asking price. He hasn't played enough games yet, and we could pay a little more and try to get Zapata, who would be a starter.

I want a world class player in our backline. Chiellini will become a star, but the rest are decent/good players. Legro has played well this season, but he will never be a great player. I imagine Mellberg will do a decent job, but there was hardly a list of club's lining up for his services, and that's for a reason. Grosso would be great, but I think our situation at rb is weaker than at lb. Molinaro cant cross for shit, but at least he gets himself involved. The same cant be said about Grygera, who up until the game vs Genoa, was overall having a disappointing season. Zebina is always injured, and if he manages to string some injury free games together, he will do something stupid and get suspended.

I think Legrottaglie is good enough for next year at least. Zapata is a phenomenal talent, but he is not a defensive leader and along with Chiellini, we would have a terribly young backline. I would be for a move for Barzagli, although he isn't really a leader or organizer either, but he has good experience. Or, Lugano, who is a good leader, a captain of every team he plays for, altough I don't think he is better than Legrottaglie. Cannavaro would be the perfect choice here, but I doubt he will come back. I say, stick with Legrottaglie.

I definately disagree with your analysis of the sidebacks. Our RB's are very average and that is for sure, but Grygera and Zebina are both players of relative quality. Not to mention the option of playing Mellberg and Salihamidzic in the RB role would not be bad in a pinch. Four players can fill one of the most unimportant positions on a football pitch just fine. As for LB, Molinaro is a backup at best. He works hard and has good pace which is useful against the lower teams in Serie A, but he defensive positioning is incredibly dismal and has proven to be a liability all season. LB, is our weakest spot on the pitch and strengthening it with a tall, skillful, big-game player like Grosso would give us the class and quality we need.

Giovinco will be at Juve next season if management want to keep their job's. He has been the most impressive youngster in serie a this season, easily. Plus his speed, dribling and creativity are exactly what are midfield need's atm. Whether as a left sided AM, or behind the strikers, I dont care. Ranieri seems to prefer the 4-4-2, but he did use the trequartista a few times this season. Coupled with mid week games, Im sure we will see him played in both positions.

Giovinco is the future of Juventus and if Ranieri is our coach next year, he needs to use him properly. He has been one of the most impressive players in Serie A period, and if we give him the playing time he deserves, the future of this club will be great.

Boumsong got sold to Lyon in January, but I agree with the rest of the player's u have listed as being sold. I would only sell half of Palladino though. Ranieri played him out of position, so it's to early to judge imo.

I thought it was a loan deal? Oh well. Palladino won't have any space to play next year and while I would love to keep at least half of his contract, I have a feeling he will be too valuable to us as trade bait.

You're right about Amauri not starting over Trez, but he will probably start over Del Piero. He will be our Ibra, although Amauri is a better finisher. At Del Piero's age, he doesn't have the leg's to play twice a week, so I dont think it will be an issue.

I agree. It will be a powerful lineup for sure.

[tonykart]

Originally Posted by LAF

It does get worrying when every week we are being linked with average players.

Of course it depends what our ambitions are for next season, this squad would probably struggle being in three competitions.

To compete for the title we need at least two top defenders (ideally three). a winger/midfielder (depending on formation). Probably a striker too as Palladino doesn't look up to it yet.

The board MUST get it right this summer as this season they've had more bad buys than good.

I agree with your first paragraph, but I definately don't think we need as many players as you think. Our defense is #2 in Calcio right now and although Mellberg isn't great, he is good enough to cover when necessary. Andrade is a slob and should be sold, but we don't need three defenders. I have a hard time trying to reason with getting two new defenders in the budget.

A CM, we surely need as Nocerino needs time and Zanetti is average. Sissoko is a slob, but he is our best CM and is worth playing because he is such a beast. If we don't go with Flamini, I would like to see an older guy brought in who is a defensive minded and tactical player. However, I would love to see Montolivo or Aquilani next to Sissoko.

The winger/midfielder will be Giovinco. Although I think we should really go for Hamsik and play Giovinco farther forward, I just can't see Ranieri doing it.

[azzurri]

Molinaro has been poor, there is no doubting that. However, Grygera hasn't been any better, imo. The game vs Milan, every1 was blaming Molinaro for Inzaghi's 1st goal, when in reality Grygera was just as much at fault.

I disagree about our rb being unimportant. When Camo was injured for large portions of the season, our right side was pretty useless, since we had no1 able to send in any crosses. I certainly agree we need a better lb, but our situation at rb is just as important. Grygera cant cross, and I dont think Ranieri likes Zebina. Mellberg and Brazzo can fill in at rb, but that's not their natural position, and with Brazzo, he hasn't done that well at rb this season.

We definitely will sign another lb, but Id like us to sign a rb as well. Sell Zebina and replace with him some1 else. He is our best natural rb, but he hardly plays. We will have more games next season, so we will need a rb who can stay fit.

[tonykart]

Originally Posted by azzurri

Molinaro has been poor, there is no doubting that. However, Grygera hasn't been any better, imo. The game vs Milan, every1 was blaming Molinaro for Inzaghi's 1st goal, when in reality Grygera was just as much at fault.

I disagree about our rb being unimportant. When Camo was injured for large portions of the season, our right side was pretty useless, since we had no1 able to send in any crosses. I certainly agree we need a better lb, but our situation at rb is just as important. Grygera cant cross, and I dont think Ranieri likes Zebina. Mellberg and Brazzo can fill in at rb, but that's not their natural position, and with Brazzo, he hasn't done that well at rb this season.

We definitely will sign another lb, but Id like us to sign a rb as well. Sell Zebina and replace with him some1 else. He is our best natural rb, but he hardly plays. We will have more games next season, so we will need a rb who can stay fit.

I see a need for RB, but not at this transfer window. We have too many more important holes to fill. Zebina is a really good RB when he plays and Grygera, Mellberg and Grygera are more than adequate cover. Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United are all weak at LB and they are in the CL Semis.

Molinaro is clearly the biggest hole to fill, and it will be. Next I would like to see Zanetti upgraded with Flamini, although it seems that he will choose Milan instead (sad really). We need a CM who can play to the tactics and defend, but still make some nice long passes. Seems like we are going to go for Hamsik and Marchisio, both of whom I would prefer someone else. Hamsik is a must buy for me, but for Nedved's role. However, it seems we will play Giovinco behind Nedved, Hamsik in the center and Amauri and Iaquinta up top.

If Giovinco is to be a LM, we will need an LB that is capable of filling in on the attacking wing, because we want to allow Sebastian to slip inside and control the center of the pitch just outside the box. This allows us to use two DM's, which has been very succesful for us and most CL teams.

Probable 2008-2009 Lineups:

BUFFON

ZEBINA - LEGROTTAGLIE - CHIELLINI - GROSSO

CAMORANESI - SISSOKO - ZANETTI - NEDVED

TREZEGUET - DEL PIERO
_____________________________________

BELARDI

GRYGERA - MELLBERG - ANDRADE - MOLINARO

SALIHAMIDZIC - NOCERINO - HAMSIK - GIOVINCO

IAQUINTA - AMAURI
_____________________________________

This is a pretty solid lineup that will need re-inforcements in the winter. Andrade and Molinaro are just not good enough, Zanetti or Nocerino will need to be off-loaded, most likely Nocerino on loan. Hamsik and Giovinco will need to get substantial playing time in order to improve.

[tonykart]

CURRENT TRANSFER TARGETS

Goal Keeper
CUDICINI, Carlo - 34 (Chelsea)
SORRENTINO, Stefano - 29 (Recreativo de Huelva)
SCHWARZER, Mark - 35 (Middlesbrough)

Central Defenders
LUGANO, Diego - 27 (Fenerbahce)
BARZAGLI, Andrea - 26 (Palermo)
ZAPATA, Cristian - 21 (Udinese)
STENDARDO, Guglielmo - 26 (Lazio)

Side Backs
GROSSO, Fabio - 30 (Lyon)
EVRA, Patrice - 26 (Manchester United)
VARGAS, Juan Manuel - 24 (Catania)
TAIWO, Taye - 23 (Marseille)
PASQUAL, Manuel - 26 (Fiorentina)
DOSSENA, Andrea - 26 (Udinese)

Central Midfield
FLAMINI, Mathieu - 24 (Arsenal)
DECO - 30 (Barcelona)
AQUILANI, Alberto - 23 (Roma)
KEITA, Seydou - 28 (Sevilla)
INLER, Gokhan - 23 (Udinese)
MONTOLIVO, Riccardo - 23 (Fiorentina)
MARCHISIO, Claudio - 22 (Empoli)

Side Midfield
HAMSIK, Marek - 20 (Napoli)
ZABALETA, Pablo - 23 (Espanyol)
CAPEL, Diego - 20 (Sevilla)
MAURI, Stefano - 27 (Lazio)
KEWELL, Harry - 29 (Liverpool)

Playmaker
DIEGO, Ribas da Cunha - 23 (Werder Bremen)
GIOVINCO, Sebastian - 21 (Empoli)
VAN DER VAART, Rafael - 25 (Hamburg)
PIATTI, Pablo - 19 (Estudiantes)
OBERTAN, Gabriel - 19 (Bordeaux)
ALEX, de Sousa - 30 (Fenerbahce)

Striker
AMAURI, Carvalho de Oliveria - 27 (Palermo)
HUNTELAAR, Klaas Jan - 24 (Ajax)
CAVENAGHI, Fernando - 24 (Bordeaux)
ELMANDER, Johan - 26 (Toulouse)
SAVIOLA, Javier - 25 (Real Madrid)
ADEBAYOR, Emmanuel - 24 (Arsenal)

[azzurri]

Zanetti need's to be offloaded? If there was 1 player I wouldn't offload, it would be Zanetti. He has been 1 of our most consistent players this season, and along with Camo, our midfield has struggled without him. He is Juve's assist leader (and 2nd in the league, ahead of Pirlo, Kaka, Mutu, etc), which is an amazing stat given where he plays. He carries tons of experience as well, and in his 2 seasons at Juve, he has always acted like a professional.

As for Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool getting to the semi's with weak lb's, I disagree. Evra is 1 of the best lb's in the prem, and Aurelio and A.Cole are still better than Molinaro. Although we both agree Molinaro need's to be replaced.

[tonykart]

Originally Posted by azzurri

Zanetti need's to be offloaded? If there was 1 player I wouldn't offload, it would be Zanetti. He has been 1 of our most consistent players this season, and along with Camo, our midfield has struggled without him. He is Juve's assist leader (and 2nd in the league, ahead of Pirlo, Kaka, Mutu, etc), which is an amazing stat given where he plays. He carries tons of experience as well, and in his 2 seasons at Juve, he has always acted like a professional.

As for Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool getting to the semi's with weak lb's, I disagree. Evra is 1 of the best lb's in the prem, and Aurelio and A.Cole are still better than Molinaro. Although we both agree Molinaro need's to be replaced.

I meant weak at RB, that was a typo.

Zanetti is an above-average player at best. Keeping him as a squad player would be good, but the guy is not going to be good enough for this squad soon. He has been great for us, but we will outgrow him, and I hope we do.

[Forza_Roma]

Amauri getting close to Juve.....

Juve close Amauri gap
Thursday 1 May, 2008

Just £500,000 stands between Juventus and Amauri after advanced contract negotiations yesterday.

Juve sporting director Alessio Secco met the Amauri’s agent Mariano Grimaldi in Milan yesterday hoping to make a concrete deal for the in-demand hitman.

An agreement between the two clubs involved seems imminent, but the player has thrown the move into question by flirting with Milan and Roma.

Reports suggest that Grimaldi demanded a wage of £3.25m per year plus bonuses, but the Old Lady are tabling around £2.75m before their performance incentives.

It is now expected that promising midfielder Antonio Nocerino will join Palermo in a part-exchange deal, but there are whispers that the Rosanero are also demanding Davide Lanzafame.

Dangerous hitman Lanzafame is one of calcio’s rising stars and has netted 10 times at Bari, where he is on loan.

However, he may refuse to join the Sicilians because his heart is set on a move to Genoa.

“Lanzafame has expressed a desire to play for us,” Genoa President Enrico Preziosi admitted.

“But I’m sure that with a little reasoning we can find an arrangement that suits everyone.”

[tonykart]

There have also been strong links with Xabi Alonso.

[Forza_Roma]

With the soon arrival of Amauri...will that result in either Palladino or Iaquinta to leave?

[D-Kin]

Palladino most likely.

I'd be gutted if Iaquinta goes.

[tonykart]

Palladino will probably be used in a trade for Hamsik or Pasqual. Hamsik would be a good move. Pasqual would not be worth it. Pasqual would be worth buying, but not giving up Palladino for.

I would buy Grosso, Hamsik, Aquilani, Amauri.

[azzurri]

Hamsik and Aquilani? That is extremely unlikely. I think we will be fortunate to c 1 of those players arrive.

[D-Kin]

Not Aquilani, no chance.