Bologna will almost certainly have to face a return to the Champions League without Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutchman seems to be very close to landing Milan. The contract stipulated between Bologna and the Bayern Monk two summers ago, in fact, it included a release clause of 40 million euros (open to anyone, and not just the German club as initially thought). For this reason the club of Known he was and is absolutely prepared for Zirkzee’s farewell.
In fact, in January Sartori he had worked hard to ensure Santiago’s performance Castro. The purchase of the Argentinian born in 2004 cost Bologna 12 million euros: a figure worthy of note if you consider that Castro has not yet turned 20. The purchase of the Argentine striker was made above all with a future perspective. In fact, Bologna already knew that the chances of losing Zirkzee in the summer were high, which is why they wanted to have Castro already in January. The club’s idea was to let the young Argentine talent settle in before the number 9’s departure.
Now that Zirkzee’s farewell seems one step away, the question that arises is: what will Castro’s role be in Bologna next season?
Castro, there is a lot of room for improvement
Under the guidance of Thiago Motta (initially not convinced of the Argentine’s purchase, but then changed his mind), Castro made 8 appearances and one goal in the second half of the season, with a header against Juventus. The Argentine also scored against Roma (not an easy goal), a goal that was later disallowed due to a teammate’s offside.
The former Velez born in 2004 is still immature, as is normal, but he has already demonstrated some important qualities. First of all: personality. As an Argentine, Castro has shown that he is not afraid of the leap to Serie A, always entering the field confident in his potential. Again, the almost 20-year-old Argentine showed great physicality and a technique that was not indifferent for his age. The margin for improvement to date is very high.
Now it will also be up to Italiano to know how to valorise it in the most appropriate way. Thiago Motta, after an initial doubt about the player, changed his mind seeing him train day after day and, when he was able, he deployed him on the pitch.
Could this be the season of qualitative leap for the Argentine?
It will now be up to Sartori and Italiano to understand what role to assign to Santi Castro.
Bologna are looking around to find a replacement for Joshua Zirkzee, probably believing that it is too early to entrust Castro with the keys to the rossoblù attack.
However, the rossoblù club has invested a considerable sum for the Argentine born in 2004. For this reason it is reasonable to expect that Castro will be able to carve out an important space for himself next season, thanks to the three competitions that Bologna will have to face.
Bologna will be looking for a starter who can take Zirkzee’s place and who can be up to the Champions League. Castro will therefore have to be good at being ready for the myriad of matches that await Bologna in the season that will start in two months.
The other possible solution is to see a Bologna with two strikers, something that has practically never been seen with Thiago Motta, not even in the year with Arnautovic and Zirkzee together. This is a choice which, however, will eventually be up to Vincenzo Italiano. This will also depend on the characteristics of Bologna’s future striker, who currently still sees a question mark.
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