Mercato Analysis: Falling Dominoes

By: johncas | July 28th, 2011

Things have become frustratingly quiet.

The mercato began with a loud thundercrack, with a gaggle of solid, free transfers. Pirlo, Pazienza, Ziegler, all gratis, were followed by Lichsteiner and, most recently, Vidal. All moves I’ve approved of. But what now? While the move Sergio Aguero went nowhere, and the move for Giuseppe Rossi stalled for the time being (but more on that later), it is being reported that Diego Lugano’s agent is in Milan to meet with Juventus’ management.

200px-Diego_Lugano_2

Not a bad move – solid player, and a move which should have been made two years ago. And while he’s set to turn 31 in November, the release clause in his contract is reportedly a meager 3.5 million Euros. The Uruguayan captain also has an EU passport, so he won’t take up any of our foreign spots.

The only negative I can think of is the type of defender that he is. He’s a tough, hard, man-marker, ala Chiellini. The problem is, we already have Chiellini. And Bonucci. I’ve always believed that a better partner for a man-marker would be more of a ball-playing sweeper, like the Cannavaro/Nesta partnership for il Nazionale circa 2005-06. That isn’t to say that I don’t like Bonucci, nor do I think that a Bonucci/Chiellini partnership is totally unworkable by any means. It’s just a matter of preference, and utilizing the types of players at one’s disposal most efficiently based on their talents.

Last week it was reported that Juventus were reportedly interested in offering Bonucci for to Fiorentina for Vargas, and then making a move to Wolfsburg for Simon Kjaer. Although I would ultimately hate to lose Bonucci, I liked this idea a lot.

"Yes, I am a Targaryen. My other car is a dragon."

Although Kjaer had a rough first season in the Bundesliga, at only 22 years of age he’s already proven that he can succeed in Serie A, which cannot be underestimated. He would also complete the second half of the man-marker/sweeper combination I’ve outlined above. Not to mention he would make a pretty convincing character on Game of Thrones, which is among my favorite shows.

Oh, and we would also end up with one of the better wingers in Serie A on the left side — a glaring point of weakness for us.

Like I said, I love Bonucci, but if we can walk out of a deal down one Bonucci and up one Kjaer and one Vargas, count me in. And such an outcome could actually be doable. However, those rumors have virtually disappeared, so it seems moot right now.

But it still stands to reason that an incoming Lugano could have other ripple effects on our backline. If he does arrive, that would leave us with 5 centrebacks right now between him, Chiellini, Bonucci, Barzagli, and Sorenson.

In other news, the chase for Giuseppe Rossi has hit a stall. Rumors last week included differences between Villareal’s asking price and Juve’s offer ranging from 2 to 10 million, as well as their asking to hold onto him until after the Champions League preliminaries. I wouldn’t be surprised if the latter part is pivotal.

Although many sources are stating that Juventus inquiring about Mirko Vucinic as indicative of moving on for Rossi, it could be the case, but perhaps may not. The obvious logic would indicate that signing Vucinic, a seconda punta, would squeeze out a move for Rossi, another seconda punta. However, it’s possible that this is not the case. Vucinic is more versatile than that one role and could represent that elusive left-sided attacking player which we’ve been coveting. He played in that role in Spalletti’s 4-2-3-1, and could fill that role in Conte’s 4-4-2/4-2-4 system. And if you look at the other players Juve were looking at for the left side, he fits the profile: quick, good pace and dribbling ability, around 27-28 years old, and costs around 15 million (think Bastos, Vargas).

I know that it’s optimistic, but it’s a possibility that we could end up with both Vucinic and Rossi. Yes, we have far too many (mediocre) strikers at the moment, but come on — you don’t expect us to begin September with Amauri, Iaquinta AND Toni, do you?

What are your thoughts?

Some Related Juventus Posts:

Category: Team News

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vidder911

I've got a strange feeling that we're selling Bonucci since Lugano is coming in and keeping Freddy as his understudy.

Think he, Martinez and Amauri are going to be pawned off in any deal for our potential left-winger.

For starters...I'm atleast happy that we'll still get a left winger...
Somnath_Sengupta

Any settlement which keeps Sorensen in Juventus suits me B-)
Tamim

With the exception of Vidal and Licthensteiner, Marrota has failed so far in the mercatto.

I want a REAL LEFT SIDED WINGER (Vargas or Perroti) NOT VUCINIC!
Milos

I have a great feeling about next season, who cares if we don't get overpriced youngsters... I mean 45 mil for Pastore, 45 mil for Aguero, 50 mil for Neymar, 80 mil for Hulk :))), this shit prices are laughable. 30 mil for Rossi is even too much. We are not shit club like Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, PSG who ruin football like this !!!I will be more than happy with this transfer window if we get one more center back, winger and offload of the remains. Who knows maybe we have some Guisepe Rossi in our squad, how could we know when we lose most of our youngsters to other teams.Giovinco, Criscito could be piece of the missing puzzle last season. I have a good feeling that Conte will motivate our squad like Delneri couldn't.I don't want to lose another generation of young players maybe there are another awesome player like Pedro, Hernandes, Walcott... Anyway...Forza Juventus, Forza Conte, Forza Alex, Forza Buffon, Forza new stadium, Forza new generation of players, Forza Juventini !!!!!!!!!Edit
Jose P

so i'm guessing PSG is on everybody's shit list already? LOL!
Jose P

can anyone shed some light on the supposed preseason match against Athletic Club de Bilbao? their offside blog reports that it may take place Aug.13th. this would be a match to see. i do enjoy watching Athletic.
wali_100

I actually thought it was against Real Betis. I could be wrong tho.
tpick

it is against real betis.
Jose P

i guess that's good either way. betis will be fixing to get amped up for the Primera after finally making it back to the top flight.
amirnyc

i think kobe should be marotta's next target for LW in case the nba gets halted :D
tpick

im willing to try this, but only if the lakers agree to take Amauri, Iaquinta, and Martinez. the amount of flopping they offer is highly acceptable in the NBA.
W

Hahaha, can you imagine how badly they'd get eaten alive in the NBA?
vidder911

No they won't.

Iaq and Martinez will never play due to injury and Amauri will be sold to Redsox.
JianGuan

Watching Messi and friends game, Camoranesi and Davis are on the field
Milos

Guys check this out, Krasic 3 assists and Vucinic 3 goals :)

(ex)Serbia & Montenegro under 21s vs Croatia under 21s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
amirnyc

damn
JianGuan

Yugoslavia could have had great team. Damn politics.
Chuks A.

-------------Handanovic-----
Corluka---Ivanovic----Vidic---Kolarov
------------Rakitic---Modric----
Krasic-----------Jovetic-------Vucinic
-----------------Dzeko---

Wicked shit.
vidder911

Rightly said...WICKED-ovic!
Somnath_Sengupta

I believe Jonathan Wilson did an article on this...
JianGuan

I was trying to come up with a list of players, but I got lazy, good job.
Chuks A.

Needed a little help from Wikipedia myself, I will humbly admit ;-)
Jose P

check out espn's 30 for 30 about Yugoslavian basketball when Vlade Divak used to play. politics like you said.
Dj Festa

I just read that we are interested in Vargas (Rumors are like two months old) (maybe two years old) but we are ready to sacrifice Quagliarella in and exchage with la Fiore.

Another rumor is that Amauri and Malaka in exchange with cerci. (if gila is sold)

I don't know what to think in the first one. I will agree only if I know that Quags is a liability because of his knee. Other wise hell nooo.

In the second case whatever as long as Amauri is gone yes. But I think we would be better by selling then alone. Or even better exchange then for Vargas plus 4 mill. Done deal for me
tpick

theres another rumor, actually semi-realistic, amauri+martinez for vargas. mihajlovic had matrinez at catania and could use him well, and amauri does well for clubs that dont matter.
JianGuan

Inter got destroyed by Man City in a friendly. Even Balotelli scored a goal. If we look at Man City's Squad, 3 years ago we were chasing either diego or silva, 2 years ago, we were chasing Dzeko, this year we were after Kun. Enough said
Decky

Tbh thought inter didn't put out an amazing team and city fans seem to think it was the champions league final.
Dj Festa

Next year we should lie about who are we getting so Marotta can do what Moggi did once to Inter. We should announce that we are (it has to be a forward) going to get some crazy and expensive player and after ManCity spend the money we make the move.
runekai250

Sell amauri to parma and declare that it was a great loss and show heavy intereat
Gaetano

No cassano no party
JianGuan

Dude, with Cassano and Vucinic on the team, we are becoming a male striping team now.
djp4cal

Keep Cassano away from the Nutella!
Chuks A.

Remember him?

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/...
Dj Festa

I thought he dissolved his contract. but wolfurg is selling him actually. Even thought 8 million is a gift for that player in a well supported team that can used him.
amirnyc

i don't get it?
http://this11.com/boards/13121... ???
Dj Festa

maybe if we remove krasic from that equation and we add Pirlo and we play 433 I like it.

Then we may do some modifications, and remove Matri send Quas or Mirko to the center and add Krasic in the right. Mirko in opinion open a world of posibilities for our Mister.

Same if we use the 442 or 424 which for me are the same. but we need to get a good left winger.
ShakeAppeal

http://this11.com/boards/13121...
amirnyc

if this formation gets juve a 3rd place, heck even 4th place finish, then i am mickey mouse
Dj Festa

If conte use this formation to sometimes alternate his 424 can be very productive. What I like about this team or group of players is that the couch has the flexibility to change the system when the team need it.
Dj Festa

Mirko will move wider so him can go inside at the same time that he opens space for Matri and Quags.