My first post will be to discuss this summer’s mercato. With many more players coming than leaving the team, much has been argued about quantity over quality. Is this really the case?
To summarize, we have the following changes:
In: Gasperini, Forlan, Zarate, Poli, Alvarez, Nagatomo, Jonathan, Viviano, Castaignos
Out: Leonardo, Eto’o, Santon, Pandev, Rivas, Materazzi, Mariga, Destro
The number of players seems quite even on both sides, but please remember that Rivas, Mariga and Destro did not play for Inter last season (Destro was in Primavera, Mariga already on loan and Rivas just not quite good enough). Materazzi also only played a couple of matches as a sub. On the other hand, only Viviano is injured and shouldn’t play in first squad as he should be a part of Genoa’s squad after winter’s mercato, part of a co-ownership deal with Kucka.
So, apart from the possible loan of Muntari to Galatasaray, some greek team or really whoever is willing to take him, we have 7 “first” squad players (if you consider the young Poli first team, which you should) and 3 “first” squad players leaving (the same for young Santon).
Clearly, the most important transfer is……….
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| Unfortunately not the one on the right |
And also not “the highest paid soccer player in the world” Eto’o, but “former unemployed” Gasperini (yes, the one on the left). Of course, Eto’o transfer was 25 million + 2 bonuses - 1 month of salary + avoided wages + taxes and etc etc while Gasperini’s was free, but please think about the tactical implications of Gasperini and his dreaded three man defense. I’ll go back to this in another post, but Moratti is not happy with the 10 leaked goals in the last 4 games. And you don’t want to make Moratti unhappy.
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| Specially if you work for him |
Back to the players and their business:
OUT
Eto’o: the outstanding Cameroonian forward was one of the key players for Inter last year. He will be deeply missed next season. Pazzini is a great box striker, but we need someone skillful and criative. Forlan is here to step up to this responsability but let's not be too optimistic and think he is at the same level as Eto'o.
Santon: promised to be a renewal for Inter’s ageing defense but it seems Moratti has other plans. At this moment he did not play a relevant role in the team.
Pandev: constantly used more for a lack of a better option than for his quality. With the new signings, we should not miss him.
Rivas: who? I don’t care, glad he is gone as we save on wages.
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| It's actually this guy, just in case you forgot |
Materazzi: sadly he left Inter, but sportsmen get to an age when they can’t really be competitive at top level. You’ll be missed Matrix.
Mariga: he was on loan, he will be on loan. Also couldn’t care less.
Destro: he was part of the deal with Ranocchia and was on loan for Genoa. Destro was a potential for Inter but… we have to sell some players, don’t we?
IN
Forlan: the player of the world cup 2010 came to Inter for a low transfer fee and a two years contract due to his age (32). If he can deliver the soccer level he showed in the world cup, please be welcome. If not, at least it was a “not so expensive” shot.
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| At least his look is perfect to replace the "Lion King" |
Zarate: came to replace Pandev as attacking winger but at a higher level of play. He is good but we’ll see what news surround him as he is usually bad mannered. Zarate also has some weird self-taken photos, but I’ll avoid showing anything of this sort here, so you can have someone better looking.
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| Pictured: not shirtless Zarate |
Alvarez: the most expensive purchase of the season (13,5 million), Alvarez has failed to deliver the expected soccer so far. We still hope he’ll improve, but for this price we kinda expected more than shown in the friendlies.
Jonathan: supposed to be the next Maicon, he has just recovered from an injury. We’ll have to wait and see.
Castaignos: the Dutch forward is young and promising. Ditto, wait and see.
Nagatomo: we already had him in the last season but now we’ve acquired the remaining 50%. What else can we say about Nagatomo? He is fantastic and runs like a mad man up and down the field the whole game. I like him a lot and feel that he'll play a very important role in Inter in the upcoming years.
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| They had to use Super Camera for this photo |
Viviano: also supposedly an heir in Inter, but this time to Julio Cesar. He is injured and after recovery should go to Genoa in exchange for Kucka. We don’t need a new goalkeeper (now) anyway.
Poli: Italian midfielder, he is one of the three young promises for the national team (one of the others is Santon). Another one we’ll have to wait and see but we really need new faces in the midfield.
So… for our first squad we lose Eto’o. Pandev and Santon wouldn’t play much with our new players anyway. We gain Forlan, Zarate and Castaignos up front, Nagatomo and Jonathan on the wings, Poli in the midfield and Viviano (just to be traded for Kucka later on).
None of the new players costed us 40 million euros but all of them are at least good enough in positions that Inter needs. Of course I’d rather have Tevez, but the overall option of players is stronger than last year. If only a few of our promises manage to show high level of soccer (cmon Poli and Alvarez!) and we don’t see many injuries in the older (fingers crossed), we can expect a better season.
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| So does him |
Forza Inter!
