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| Monday 14 July, 2008 |
| Blog: Grate Dane |
| If Juventus want to seriously challenge for honours next term, Antonio Labbate believes that the club’s midfield strengthening can’t end with the purchase of Christian Poulsen |
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“You’re ridiculous,” read a banner at Juventus’ summer training camp. “Poulsen is another flop!” One can safely say that the majority of fans aren’t happy with the imminent arrival of Christian Poulsen. And in all fairness, why would they be? After months of being fed transfer tales by club officials that Alberto Aquilani and Xabi Alonso were being seriously looked at, they move for the Sevilla man instead.
It’s certainly a risky manoeuvre by the constantly under-fire triad who now run the club. With some serious questions still being asked about their capability in the transfer market after their acquisitions last summer, they will certainly be playing with fire if the Danish international turns out to disappointingly be this year’s grande colpo in midfield.
In some ways, Poulsen’s arrival has a whiff of the scenario which saw the club sign Jorge Andrade a year ago. Unable to compete financially with Europe’s big boys following demotion, their much-publicised attempts to sign Pepe and Gabriel Milito failed as they respectively joined Real Madrid and Barcelona. Juve had to plump for the cheaper [he still cost £7m!] and mediocre Portuguese stopper instead.
This time around their midfield was and is in desperate need of a playmaker, someone with angelic feet to neatly counter balance the lungs and brute force of Cristiano Zanetti and Momo Sissoko. Aquilani was the ideal, but such a move was never on. Roma don’t want to sell, the player loves the Giallorossi and even if he was available, Inter would comfortably outbid Juventus.
And what of Alonso? If Juventus really wanted the Spaniard, then they would have surely wrapped it up by now. How long can discussions over a move take? Liverpool are clearly willing to sell, which suggests that the Old Lady are not totally convinced that he’s the right man for them. Poulsen, on the other hand, was available, affordable and tactically viable for Claudio Ranieri.
The latter wanted a player in the Poulsen mould after missing out to Milan for Mathieu Flamini and the 28-year-old does have his worth. A real battler, the midfielder could help sustain a trident attack next term. However, with Juventus insisting they will be serious Scudetto contenders in 2008-09, they’ll need something a little more special than Christian Poulsen.
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Yet another completely uninspiring transfer from this shambles of a board. I find it abhorrent how they can continue to disrespect the fans wishes and pursue a mix of sheer mediocrity and players who have publicly abused this great club. Poulsen may have not insulted Juventus as Sissoko or Stankovic have, but there is no doubt in my mind that this disgraceful player should not be let anywhere near calcio after his past exploits.
To imagine that the club I love will have a first choice central midfield partnership consisting of a hatchet man whose main weapon is an ability to injure fellow professionals, and a man whose lack of technical ability on the pitch makes it practically fraudulent to refer to him as a footballer. I never thought I'd see the day.
We may not have the financial clout to outbid the Inters, Mardids or Man Uniteds in this climate, but there is money to be spent. There is 112m Euros (approx. £89m) from the extension of the deal with Mediaset alone, and given the fact that the club have happily splurged figures such as £8.2m on Sissoko, £7m on Andrade, £10.3m on Tiago and £7.2m on Sergio Almiron, just goes to show that if they had bought wisely they could have easily have purchased Diego for such much need creativity and flair in the midfield or even Mascherano who is a significantly better defensive midfielder than both Sissoko and Poulsen combined.
This board is obviously not up to the job, both the men in suits and the Coach, have been saved so far due to the performances of players who predate them. With said players nearing the twilight of their careers and having an extended season ahead of them, I fear this season we won't be so fortunate.
Mark McGowan, Dundee.
Two defensive midfielders can work but only if the wide midfielders are capable of doing the creative work. Nedved is old and Camoranesi has had his injury problems in the past, whilst Giovinco is more likely to be used a support striker.
That kind of system also needs two attacking full-backs who can get forward and deliver crosses (a player like Vargas for example). Unfortunately, all Juve have is the unimpressive Zebina and Molinaro. This Juve team is beginning to look very mediocre apart from Buffon, Chiellini and the strikers, and what good are they if they don't get enough service? Secco deserves a lot of blame, but so does Ranieri.
Chris, Japan
I have to admit that I am hugely disappointed with Juve's activity – or lack of – in the transfer market. Amauri was a great addition to what was already a devastating attack last season. Unfortunately though, after that one bright shining light, it's faded. Most of the ‘signings' reported in the Press are loan returns.
Stars much talked about linked to the club – Diego and Xabi Alonso – are just fading hopes now and the alternative has been Christian Poulsen?! As Mark McGowan has pointed out above, the club has plenty in the reserves and with Champions League money should be able/have the capacity in funds to buy far better.
I think they should have enough clout in the market and as yet aren't testing/proving themselves ambitious enough. Had Aquilani become available, I think with Mourinho's arrival at Inter and desire to get Lampard, having already acquired Mancini, would have seen their interest decrease. Sooner rather than later, the club needs to sign quality youngsters, as only a few academy players seem to make the regular XI.
I personally was hoping for the club to offload transfer disaster Almiron. Additions I would have liked would be Alonso or Moutihno to have a more experienced attacking midfielder besides Giovinco, who would profit from their experience and not have the spotlight shone so brightly on him so soon.
I personally would have kept hold of Palladino and played him in his preferred and best position next season – up front. Also I would have added the lethal and flexible Podolski – as being involved in the extra competitions will require cover for injuries, suspensions, lack of form or fatigue. A quality back-up ‘keeper to Buffon will be useful, but by no means should it signal the end of additions to a nearly, but not quite competitive and complete squad.
Rob, Nottingham
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