To analyze Genoa’s first transfer moves, it is necessary to start from the principles established months ago. The first is inspired by the well-known limits set by financial fair play: for one more session, the rossoblù club cannot spend more than it has collected and saved, so it must proceed with the utmost caution.
Blaquez and Ottolini were all too clear: none of the jewels will be sold off but at least one and more likely two of them will have to be sacrificed on the altar of the budget. The ideal would have been to obtain substantial “cash” compensation, so as to best manage the treasure, partly aimed at purchasing certain players and partly at covering the liabilities: a difficult project to implement.
Gudmundsson had been chosen as the primary source of money. The intention to sell him remains unchanged, but his non-football affairs have driven away more than one suitor and certainly have an impact on the overall price. The Icelandic will remain in the spotlight until the end, but the hypothesis of a reconfirmation at least until January is no longer so far-fetched: rather than depriving himself of him without a real advantage (economic or technical), it is perhaps preferable to hold on to him and rely on his creativity to mortgage their salvation already in the first round.
Joseph Martinez is the chosen one for an inevitable farewell, but he is a goalkeeper: a role that is unlikely to be accompanied by a very high evaluation. His contract expires in the summer of 2025, and it’s another pretty good hold-up. Thus the 15 million agreed with Inter represent – like it or not – a point of arrival and not departure. It is true that another extreme defender of trust can be found, in a panorama of the role that abounds in options, but the operation now defined with Beppe Marotta does not appear exciting both because the monetary part is not enough to satisfy the company’s needs, and for the perplexities aroused by the technical compensation imposed by the Milanese association. Oristanio, former Cagliari, half striker, technically excellent, should arrive, but it is fair to ask whether he is suitable for Gilardino’s tactical ideas.
Will it be enough to get rid of the Spanish goalkeeper to end the burdensome transfers? It is true that Genoa can make money from the departures of Coda and several other redundant players, but the fear of another noble deprivation remains strong. Albert was mentioned above, but Frendrup and De Winter, already mature young players, also have many admirers: as the championship approaches, Blasquez, Ricciardella and Ottolini will land the goals and decide the fate of certain pillars.
But be careful: right now, the second candidate to leave Liguria is identifiable in Mateo Retegui, still a Spalletti man and potential offensive terminal for medium-high ranking teams, Fiorentina first and foremost. In the presence of an interesting offer, the deal would go through without any particular vetoes from Mr. Gilardino, who seems determined to focus on a center forward more willing to maneuver. Vitinha, for example, has more suitable characteristics: he is not an area man, but he still knows how to gain space for the shot and is preferable as a counterattacker.
Meanwhile, the Biella coach reiterated his tendency towards conservatism, which develops in the reconfirmation of players already known and trained by him in defiance of the temptation to follow new paths, perhaps tempting but less safe. Hence the request to the managers to hold on – permanently or with the confirmation of the loan – the Portuguese and, on the wing, Spencer, now familiar with our football. A raw pearl, to be forged over time, eliminating from his repertoire the discontinuity highlighted in the last championship.
Some other movements will certainly be completed, but without revolutions. Gila did not oppose – on the contrary… – the confirmations of Messias and Malinovskyi, returning from a year spent mainly in the infirmary. The age of both is advanced in football terms and the guarantees of physical fitness are what they are, but with careful summer preparation their performance could be high.
The same applies to Badelj, who has already reached the age of 35 and regularly struggles in the second half. The reconfirmation for a further season is to be fully agreed upon, given that when the Croatian is on the pitch, the rossoblù maneuver lights up, but an “alter ego” that is up to the task is needed, and Malinovskyi, sporadically proposed as director, doesn’t really appear there. ‘ad hoc’ element. With Frendrup still in force, the midfield does not need revolutions, but a young and “strong” midfielder would be needed, with a happy propensity for insertion and shooting and on the wing front, at least one valuable addition is needed and two would be even better. Not a bad Pedersen who didn’t disfigure himself in Sassuolo.
The defense does not present pressing needs: starters and first replacements are fully reliable. It is right to evaluate the qualities of the returning Mercandalli, a grenadier’s physique and fluid running, during the summer retreat. Otherwise, an entry adjustment will have to be made for numerical needs.
On the offensive front, as written above, the situation is fluid. Ekuban is there, waiting for a new contract, but the reluctance to satisfy him is understandable. Another counterattacker, but with more polite feet, can still be found.
Finally, the fate of a very interesting prospect, Fini, who has returned from his loan at Standard Liege, needs to be decided. He could stay, as long as he fits into Gila’s tactical theories, but another year of exile, perhaps in Italy, could benefit him.
PIERLUIGI GAMBINO
