Transfers and Rumours Thread

[Bagg10]

We really need Aquilani to get his shit together. He's the only one that can control that midfield, and add some creativity to our play.

[tonykart]

We need more than 1 guy to get his shit together.

[red]

Rumour that Juve may try to ditch Sissoko in January to sign L. Diarra.

Would be a great move, if the prices were okay.

[juventino_italiano]

Heard this...
Sissoko is wanted by Wolfsburg. Price is anywhere from 8-11 million

No idea on Diarra's price

[tonykart]

Sounds good to me... SELL

[Bagg10]

Juve and Inter fight it out for Monty
Thursday 9 September, 2010
Juventus and Inter could be behind Riccardo Montolivo's decision to pause for reflection before signing a new five-year contract at Fiorentina.

The Italy international midfielder has caused quite a stir by not immediately accepting a lucrative offer from the Viola who would like to tie down his services.

There are reports that Montolivo is quibbling over €100,000, something he has denied. But it now appears that interest from elsewhere could be turning his head.

Tuttosport understands Juventus and Inter have decided to test the water and see if the 25-year-old is prepared to change scenery.

Montolivo is in his sixth season at the Artemio Franchi and although he was recently made captain, there are claims that he is looking for a new challenge.

Arsenal and Bayern Munich are also reportedly interested in him, but the likelihood is Montolivo will stay in Italy.

http://football-italia.net/sep09h.html

[tonykart]

I like the signing of Montolivo. He understands how to play a defensive role and would work well next to Marchisio or Aquilani. I still would prefer to sign a purely defensive midfielder and don't think the signing of Montolivo would solve any problems. But, he would be better than Sissoko and Melo combined, so it makes sense from a talent upgrade standpoint.

[tonykart]

This team needs a Striker, a Second Striker, a better Left Winger, a Defensive Central Midfielder, a top notch LB, and a Stay-at-home defender.

So many pieces yet again. Seems like nothing ever gets accomplished.

[red]

I'm not a fan of Montolivo.

He's far too passive for my liking. Doesn't really impose himself on the game as often as he should.

[juventino_italiano]

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Juve to launch bid for Benzema Wednesday 15 September, 2010

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Juventus are preparing an offer for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, according to Spanish newspaper AS.

The Bianconeri sold Diego and David Trezeguet in the summer, leaving them short of options going forward especially given Amauri and Vincenzo Iaquinta are so injury prone.

AS understands that Benzema would like to leave the Santiago Bernabeu after falling out with Jose Mourinho in pre-season training.

That said, Benzema was a surprise starter against Osasuna at the weekend, appearing on the right-wing where Mourinho used to deploy Samuel Eto'o at Inter.

Juventus would like to take the player on loan in January with a view to permanent transfer next summer.

Benzema was welcomed back into the international fold earlier this month and scored a wonderful goal for France against Bosnia.

[tonykart]

[maro]

Interesting timing - see my post in the other thread at the same time as you were making this, tk. I'm totally with red on this and I'm surprised you think Montolivo has the tactical discipline to play as the anchorman in midfield.

[tonykart]

I dont think he can play as an anchorman. I think he would be the best anchorman that Juventus have. My love for Nocerino, Palombo, A. Diarra, Toulalan, Senna, and Zanetti is widely know on these forums.

[maro]

Of course. I don't think he'd be a better anchorman than Melo, though (for all of Melo's obvious weaknesses).

[tonykart]

I don't think Melo is a very good anchorman at all. He is positionally retarded and one of the main reasons our defense is left out to dry. I blame him almost solely for our inability to control the counter attack. I play as an anchorman and a sweeper in my soccer leagues and I promise that I would be more effective in Melo's role than he is. I could do it without making a tackle.

I don't care if he smashes into someone on the sideline. He needs to fill in the gaps left by defenders, confront attackers at the top of the box and slow down counter-attacks by shepparding the attacker wide and taking away his angle. I didn't think it was rocket-science until I realized how few players can actually do this.

[maro]

I don't think Melo is a very good anchorman either. I just think he's better than Montolivo in that role. It is has always been my position, too, tk, and it is always surprising how much of an advantage being able to read the game is in that position.

[tonykart]

Agreed. Although saying Melo is better than Montolivo in an anchorman role is like comparing turds. I would rather have Montolivo though based on his higher sense of tactical intelligence and higher skill level. Neither of them can carry the load in that position though.

This is my biggest gripe with Juventus' transfer policy this past season. How, after watching us last season, can we not fix our main issue? Why are we still playing Bonucci with Chiellini? Why did we not sign a DM? Why do we not have a striker who can SCORE?

[red]

It's interesting that Marchisio has tended to be the midfielder sitting deeper and Melo has been used to push and press higher up the pitch.

It's not a move I'm against, it's just the opposite way to how conventional thinking would have them play.

I quite like Marchisio playing deep in midfield. He's not a natural there by any means, but he does offer some composure and is pretty good at sticking to his task within a system.

[juventino_italiano]

[juventino_italiano]