All 20 Serie A clubs' summer transfer activity ranked
ATALANTA 5/10 – They’ve lost some important players (de Roon and Cigarini) failing to replace them with somebody who can fill their boots despite the signing of Paloschi being a very positive one.
BOLOGNA 4.5 – Giaccherini, Diawara and Rossettini left the team, the signing of Viviani is not enough to replace them. We expected more from president Saputo.
CAGLIARI 7 – They’ve mostly signed experienced players to survive in their first season back in Serie A. The likes of Bruno Alves, Simone Padoin, Marco Borriello and Mauricio Isla should be enough to stay away from troubles. The last-minute signing of Tachtisidis is an example of the club’s organization since they had just lost Mati Fernandez.
CHIEVO 6 – Sorrentino in, Bizzarri out. That’s the most important change compared to last season.
CROTONE 5 – Replacing Ricci and Bodimir would be nothing easy. They couldn’t spend a lot and couldn’t do more than what they did. Surviving might be a hard target to reach.
EMPOLI 5.5 – Zielinski, Paredes, Tonelli and Mario Rui left the team, whilst Saponara has remained. Jose Mauri is an interesting move. But this team might not be serviving material.
FIORENTINA 5 – They’ve not sold their stars Vecino, Badelj and Borja Valero. However, they should havehad a plan to invest incomes of Marcos Alonso’s sale. Why, for example, they haven’t made an investment for Jovetic who could have been perfect to replace Rossi? Many youths joined, not enough to make one step ahead. They are now economically reached, but technically poorer.
GENOA 6.5 – The confirmation of Pavoletti is a very positive news, whilst Ocampos and Simeone Jr. are two interesting signings who should be watched very closely.
INTER 8 – Someone says they needed more a regista than Joao Mario, someone complaints for Gabigol’s benching role. Truth is, Inter are back on business. They convinced a top-class midfielder like Banega to join the team for free. They’ve signed two of the most promising players out there (Joao Mario and Gabigol) and also welcomed experienced ones (Ansaldi and Candreva) not selling any big name. Now it’s De Boer’s turn to manage all these players. This could be the only problem for the nerazzurri.
JUVENTUS 9.5 – No cherry on the cake, but that doesn’t change the excellent opinion that we have on the bianconeri’s transfer campaign. The Old Lady has weakened her direct rivals AS Roma and Napoli signing Pjanic and Higuain. Benatia, Dani Alves, Pjaca and Cuadrado also joined the J Stadium. They are only missing one midfielder, but this Juve side is still stronger and more complete than last season.
LAZIO 5 – Candreva was not replace, Keita is a problem for the dressing room, but Bastos can become one of the best defenders of the league. He’s had a tremendous impact so far.
AC MILAN 4 – Galliani wasted the little money available. Lapadula i not going to get game time after Carlos Bacca’s stay. Sosa was paid too much, whilst Pasalic, Vangioni and Gustavo Gomez are untested at Serie A level. The deadline day was pathetic. Many big names linked, the only Mati Fernandez who eventually joined the San Siro outfit.
NAPOLI 8 – We know this could create controversies, but we give more than one thump up to Napoli’s transfer activity. Aurelio De Laurentiis was brave enough to sign many youngsters with incomes from the sale of Gonzalo Higuain. Napoli have added depth and quality to their team with players who are promising but also ready for the Serie A and Champions League campaign.
PALERMO 4 – Diamanti is not enough to replace Vazquez. With Sorrentino and Gilardino who also left the rosanero and they don’t look a better side than what they were last season, when they avoided relegation in the last day of the campaign.
PESCARA 6 – Lapadula and Mandragora left the team. Manager Oddo can be the real added value to this team. Manaj, Bahebeck and Muric are promising players, but are they enough to avoid relegation?
ROMA 5.5 – More or less the same team of last season. They’ve added depth (and maybe quality) in defence, but the departure of Digne is not a good news especially considering the injury of Mario Rui. Paredes has replaced Pjanic and Vainqueur left in the deadline day. Nobody liked him really, but the Frenchman could be an option in midfield when senior players will be injured or suspended. Midfield is weaker than last season.
SAMPDORIA 6 – Praet and Budimir are interesting signings even if the Cassano situation had to be managed in a different way. We would expect a worst transfer activity form Ferrero, especially after the January window.
SASSUOLO 6.5 -Vrsaljko and Sansone left to join Atletico Madrid and Villareal in Spain, but some of the most exciting prospects of Italian football have joined the Mapei Stadium: Lirola, Sensi, Mazzitelli and Ricci. Not an eye-catching window, but a very smart one. As usual.
TORINO 7 – Left without three big names (Glick, Bruno Peres and Maksimovic), but all replaced in the best way possible. The signing of Hart is a very important one. That’s a team made for the good of fans, which is never a bad idea.
UDINESE 5 – The usual team made by semi-unknown players, but some of them might emerge during the season. Waiting for those players to step up and display their skills, this summer’s transfer activity leaves us perplex.
Stefano Agresti, translated by Lorenzo Bettoni
