Zapata to me is the perfect third or fourth string CB on a team like this. He offers speed, athleticism and defensive skills that can inject energy into the game as a sub and occasional starter. But as a full time starter, the guy is not reliable enough for that role. He is an enticing entity because of his physical gift (he is a very good combination of speed, athleticism and build), but makes too many mistakes with the ball and loses his man a lot on marking assignment too. He is ok as a starter right now because we don't really have much better options, but it is definitely an area that we need to consider upgrading in the short term future, especially since Romagnoli isn't mature enough to lead the back line on his own yet.
I think our defense needs a player who can be the leader and director. We need someone who can call out plays and make sure the line holds their positions and assignments correctly. The individual qualities of our defenders isn't that poor, as Antonelli, Romagnoli and Abate/DES/Calabria are not slouches. But when playing together, the result isn't very good. From the games I have seen, there seems to always be communication issues in the back where players lose track of what their assignment is. We get burnt a few times already this season by opponents who exposed our issues holding up the line and beat our offside traps or missed markings to score goals. A leader like Nesta or Silva, who not only do well individually but also make sure the line of communication between the entire back four is clear and concise can do wonders to our quality in defense. The player doesn't have to be individually brilliant like Nesta or Silva (would be great if he is, of course), but he has to know how to lead a back line.
I'm ok with the CBs as they are for this year. Yes I'd rather a better option to partner Romagnoli, but honestly I don't think the likes of Paletta was the answer.
For all intents and purposes, I think Zapata's done relatively ok since he came into the side this year. He's had his brainfarts every so often, but I don't particularly blame him alone on goals conceded, I think it's due to a bigger issue of the collective failing of the team. His performance in Udinese is also not his fault, he was fine until he was at RB, where he did just fall apart, but he was obviously out of position.
As for future plans, I think we just need to be sensible and patient. It seems Mihajlovic wants to build around Romagnoli and Ely, but obviously the latter needs to be shown patience. Zapata is the interim option in my view until Ely is ready to make the jump and take on the responsibility of being a starter. Therefore, I'd continue as we have until January and then assess whether a CB should be brought in, which should only be the case if we really are struggling, otherwise continue the work until next summer.
At that point, we should have a much better picture on what we can expect from Ely and based on that, we can be serious about getting a CB, or we put faith in our player.
It looks like Juventus really did collapse this season. I gave them the benefit of the doubt after the first couple of matches, fine, maybe a slow start. Drawing 1-1 with Frosinone? lol at this rate I dont know if theyd even qualify for CL.
Merda faces Fiorentina next match, we face Genoa. This could be a good opportunity to gain 2-3 points on them.
Maybe an opportunity to steal Pogba at a cut rate? Lord knows the likes of Real and Barca lose patience in players if they don't perform like machines every game.
With an agent like Raiola? No one is stealing anything.
I doubt Pogba's going to be available at all for us and as I said in the Serie A thread, I expect Juve to be in a very different position from now when January comes around.
Anyway, Tuttosport, the ever "reliable" pro Juve paper, suggests we're after Hakan Calhanoglu today. For anyone who doesn't know, this is a German born Turkish player with great technical quality and can play AM and in midfield (which I think is where he's mostly played this season). A huge talent.
Just out of curiosity, does anyone know much about Federico Viviani of Verona. He's a young midfielder from the Roma academy and this year it seems he may breakout at the top level having made a strong start to the season. Beyond that I only know he's a freekick specialist. Anyway, one to possibly keep an eye on.
Also, I think Xhaka's starting regaining his form this year. I still think he should be our target for a long term Montolivo replacement.
How wonderful would it be if it was actually true...
Atletico Madrid apparently wants Bonaventura this winter according to AS...and Milan are tempted.
However, this is to buy Bayer Leverkusen star Hakan Calhanoglu, an attacking midfielder. He's got pace, skills dribbling, and he's only 21.
He's basically a more mature Hachim Mastour.
However, I'd rather we sacrifice Honda to get this guy but I can understand if we have to sell Bonaventura to get him.
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No way would I sell Bonaventura right now, he's a valuable player that is useful even from the bench. I don't think it'll happen, I believe he's been desperate to play for Milan, so I doubt the club would just sell him.
On the story of searching out the best young talents (I believe FI got it wrong by saying 23 best talents, it's meant to be best U23 talents), I read earlier Calhanoglu is the current top target, with Max Meyer (Shalke) and Xhaka also being scouted. Can't say I know much about Max Meyer, but the other two I really like. I'm with somedevil though, until I see results and we have these young players actually brought in and used, I'm hesitant about a "youth project". I also still think we need to keep focus on our own youth, guys like Locatelli, possibly Mastour, De Santis, Di Molfetta, Mastalli, even guys like Niang and Mauri shouldn't be ignored, some of these can be top players.