Italian Serie A thread

Seeing as there's a Portuguese league, La Liga and Bundesliga thread I see fit for an Italian League thread. Can this be stickied? All discussion of transfers, results, etc. in this thread.



Juventus have kicked off their summer with the signing of Giovinco. Interesting one.. I like Giovinco but I'm not completely sure he fits into Conte's system at Juve. Conte hasn't been a big fan of players with blistering pace that don't do their bit defensively, hence Elia and Krasic being left out in the cold under him. Giovinco strikes me as this sort of player, not an out and out winger like the other two, far more versatile, but I'm not convinced he has the defensive qualities and workrate to fit into the current Juve system. Asmoah and Isla expected to follow soon. They need more options and depth, especially with Champions League footy returning. And Isla fits into their 5-3-2 formation perfectly and is also very versatile. Asamoah is quality, not sure if he will start over the brilliant midfield 3 of Vidal, Marchisio or Pirlo but again, he'll be brilliant as a rotation option. Besides young Luca Marrone they are lacking in depth for centre midfielders. Young Gabriel probably isn't ready to be thrust into things just yet.

I banged on about this before but Juventus under Conte have been a joy to watch. The signing of Pirlo on a free was a master stroke. Vidal and Marchisio have absolutely thrived playing along side him. Their industry and box to box qualities have complimented his deep lying playmaking abilities perfectly. Allegri's decision to let Pirlo go and replace him with more modern day midfielders like Nocerino (who has been outstanding by the way) obviously hasn't worked out. Although I do see why it was time for Pirlo to move on from Milan.. Allegri wanted a new approach and was building the side around Ibra, that's understandable.

Really hope Juventus tie up a deal for young Marco Verratti soon. He's been playing the Pirlo role for Pescara and was key to their promotion. Learning from the best in Pirlo would be hugely beneficial to the lad and him eventually replacing Pirlo in this system could mean Juventus have a formula that is this successful for years to come. If he does sign this summer though it would be nice to see him loaned back out to Pescara, really want to watch this lad play next season in the Serie A.

Giovinco wrapped up. Isla and Asamoah expected to follow soon. The possibility of young Marco Verratti and some other midfielders (I'd imagine) signing. And the inevitable arrival of a world class centre forward this summer. Juventus are going about their business well. It'll be interesting to see how Allegri re-shapes the AC Milan squad this summer but I fancy Juve again for the title this season.. Reckon they'll have a good Champions League campaign too.

 

Very interesting and exciting for you Watford fans. I'm also really looking forward to seeing how Torje turns out in the future. Udinese's scouting system is different class.


Apparently Juve have offered 20mil euros + Giovinco and Matri to Napoli for Cavani. It seems Giovinco was bought as pawn for other transfer deals! I couldn't see him fitting into the current Juve system anyway tbh.

 

I doubt it too Abbots.. certainly not on the cheap.

I rate Handanovic highly, but would Arsenal + Spurs be willing to stump up the cash for a keeper that may not even be first choice over Sczesney and Freidel respectively? Although of those two a deal with Spurs would be the more likely imo given Friedel's age.

I do wonder though, if Handanovic does go would Udinese be in the market for another top keeper or would they make young Rafael Romo their #1? I know he's rated highly there.

 

Julio Cesar has been left out of Inter's pre-season training squad. Told he has no future at the club. Handanovic expected to replace him.

 

Fair play to Del Piero. A model professional and a true legend.

 

PSG have emerged as favourites to sign Pescara's Marco Verratti. I pretty much summed up why I want to see Verratti go to Juventus in my opening post but I'll be gutted if he leaves Italy altogether. Apparently the lure of having more first team football at PSG than he would at a club like Juve or Milan is what's swaying his decision.. but to be honest, how much playing time will that be? PSG are spending big this summer and I just can't see Verratti playing a big part in their upcoming season. To me it seems like he is following the money, which is a big shame.

He'd be much better off signing for a big Italian club, preferably Juventus to learn from Pirlo, and then loaned back to Pescara so he can play week in week out in the Serie A. I really hope this deal to PSG doesn't come off.

 

Gutted that the Serie A will be losing two of its best players to the French league. Ibrahimovic is, in my opinion, the best striker in the world (obviously excluding Ronaldo and Messi).

Milan have always struggled to find a proper partner for Thiago Silva and now they've gone and sold him to PSG. They'll really need to be in the market for centre backs now with Silva going and Nesta off to the MLS. I don't rate Mexes highly enough to be considered first choice.

Gamberini is someone I've always been impressed with. Plenty of experience in the Serie A and on his day one of the best defenders in the league. Maybe he'd be someone Milan are after along with a more up and coming centre back, possibly Angelo Ogbonna, although I'm sure he's just committed his future to Torino... not that that means anything like. They've already signed Acerbi so it should be interesting to see how often he's used this coming season.

I can see Milan really pressing ahead with a move for Tevez now that Ibra's off.