03-28-2016, 02:20 PM
I've heard good things about Zivkovic in the past year or so, he's apparently one of Serbia's most promising talents, which is impressive as they won the U20 world cup last year. Is he in some sort of dispute with Partizan right now? Or is this literally just trying to engineer a move?
Anyway, Jay I'd keep DES. I know a lot of people have been on his back, but I think he's improved his performances this year enough to warrant his place in the squad. I think if he goes, we'll end up regretting it.
As I've said before, I think we need to focus this summer on building a clear identity, clearing the people with the wrong attitude and bringing in fresh faces to really identify ourselves with a positive culture and idea. I think it's looking likely that Di Francesco will replace Miha, so with that in view I think we should be building a group that Di Francesco can utilise. That means the right players to play 4-3-3, with a good group of young talents and players with quite specific characteristics (driven, disciplined, hard working, diligent, pacey and fit).
I think the primary focus of the market is planning the longer term strategy. Investing in players to be in the next generation of the side is key to rebuilding imo. If it was up to me, I'd be chasing Berardi, Mammana and Donsah this summer as a priority. I've written my thoughts on Mammana and Berardi before, but Donsah's a player I really like since he broke out last year. Imo, he's got the ability to be a top box to box midfielder, while his growth since his debut has been steady.
Out of the current group, we need to decide what to do with the young talents, namely Ely, Mauri and Calabria. Personally I'd consider loaning all 3, even the thought that Felicioli from the primavera takes Calabria's place in the squad. Also, with Diego Lopez likely to leave, rumours of Antonio Donnarumma coming back to secure Gigi have turned up. I'm fine with that if I'm honest, it would be nice for Gigi too having cited his brother played a big role in his career so far.
CBs will likely see a lot of change. I'd try to keep Alex for just one more year (along with Zapata) and bring in Mammana and Tonelli.
In midfield, as mentioned I'd add Donsah and I'd want to see an experienced box to box player come in. Not sure who at this point, but someone who can be relied on to give a real boost to this side. I'm willing to give Bertolacci time to prove himself and Montolivo is ok for another season in front of the defence. Poli isn't particularly good, but would be necessary to make up numbers.
In attack, I'd want Berardi for the right with Bona and Bacca on the left and centre respectively. If we can keep Adriano, I think he's a good squad player, otherwise we need to replace him adequately. We would then possibly need to add one more forward to give depth.
This would leave the squad as:
GOALKEEPERS
ABBIATI
DONNARUMMA
Antonio Donnarumma?
DEFENDERS
ABATE
ANTONELLI
Felicioli
DE SCIGLIO
ROMAGNOLI
ZAPATA
MAMMANA
Tonelli
ALEX
MIDFIELDERS
BERTOLACCI
KUCKA
LOCATELLI
MONTOLIVO
POLI
Donsah
New Box to Box
FORWARDS
BONAVENTURA
BACCA
ADRIANO
NIANG
BERARDI
HONDA
One sub forward
This would leave a lineup like:
----------------------------------G. Donnarumma (Abbiati)---------------------------------------------
Abate(DES)-------------Tonelli(Mammana)--------Romagnoli(Zapata/Alex)-----------Antonelli(Feliocioli)
-----------------------------------------Montolivo(Locatelli)---------------------------------------------
--------------------New Mid(Donsah)------------------------Bertolacci(Kucka)------------------------
Berardi(Honda)---------------------------------------------------------------------Bonaventura(Niang)
-----------------------------------------------Bacca(Adriano)---------------------------------------------
This isn't cheap and isn't too likely, but honestly this is progressively how we need to build this summer imo, as this is still more realistic than us going into a full on revolution.
Anyway, Jay I'd keep DES. I know a lot of people have been on his back, but I think he's improved his performances this year enough to warrant his place in the squad. I think if he goes, we'll end up regretting it.
As I've said before, I think we need to focus this summer on building a clear identity, clearing the people with the wrong attitude and bringing in fresh faces to really identify ourselves with a positive culture and idea. I think it's looking likely that Di Francesco will replace Miha, so with that in view I think we should be building a group that Di Francesco can utilise. That means the right players to play 4-3-3, with a good group of young talents and players with quite specific characteristics (driven, disciplined, hard working, diligent, pacey and fit).
I think the primary focus of the market is planning the longer term strategy. Investing in players to be in the next generation of the side is key to rebuilding imo. If it was up to me, I'd be chasing Berardi, Mammana and Donsah this summer as a priority. I've written my thoughts on Mammana and Berardi before, but Donsah's a player I really like since he broke out last year. Imo, he's got the ability to be a top box to box midfielder, while his growth since his debut has been steady.
Out of the current group, we need to decide what to do with the young talents, namely Ely, Mauri and Calabria. Personally I'd consider loaning all 3, even the thought that Felicioli from the primavera takes Calabria's place in the squad. Also, with Diego Lopez likely to leave, rumours of Antonio Donnarumma coming back to secure Gigi have turned up. I'm fine with that if I'm honest, it would be nice for Gigi too having cited his brother played a big role in his career so far.
CBs will likely see a lot of change. I'd try to keep Alex for just one more year (along with Zapata) and bring in Mammana and Tonelli.
In midfield, as mentioned I'd add Donsah and I'd want to see an experienced box to box player come in. Not sure who at this point, but someone who can be relied on to give a real boost to this side. I'm willing to give Bertolacci time to prove himself and Montolivo is ok for another season in front of the defence. Poli isn't particularly good, but would be necessary to make up numbers.
In attack, I'd want Berardi for the right with Bona and Bacca on the left and centre respectively. If we can keep Adriano, I think he's a good squad player, otherwise we need to replace him adequately. We would then possibly need to add one more forward to give depth.
This would leave the squad as:
GOALKEEPERS
ABBIATI
DONNARUMMA
Antonio Donnarumma?
DEFENDERS
ABATE
ANTONELLI
Felicioli
DE SCIGLIO
ROMAGNOLI
ZAPATA
MAMMANA
Tonelli
ALEX
MIDFIELDERS
BERTOLACCI
KUCKA
LOCATELLI
MONTOLIVO
POLI
Donsah
New Box to Box
FORWARDS
BONAVENTURA
BACCA
ADRIANO
NIANG
BERARDI
HONDA
One sub forward
This would leave a lineup like:
----------------------------------G. Donnarumma (Abbiati)---------------------------------------------
Abate(DES)-------------Tonelli(Mammana)--------Romagnoli(Zapata/Alex)-----------Antonelli(Feliocioli)
-----------------------------------------Montolivo(Locatelli)---------------------------------------------
--------------------New Mid(Donsah)------------------------Bertolacci(Kucka)------------------------
Berardi(Honda)---------------------------------------------------------------------Bonaventura(Niang)
-----------------------------------------------Bacca(Adriano)---------------------------------------------
This isn't cheap and isn't too likely, but honestly this is progressively how we need to build this summer imo, as this is still more realistic than us going into a full on revolution.