Alright, I saw the Abate vs DeSciglio debate and I'm 100% with han on this. I think DeSciglio should be eased in to the team for a variety of reasons. Though if PSG came in and offered 20 million for Abate, I would pause.
First of all, let's be clear the only reason SES got a prolonged run in the team is
A) There was no one else - Pato, Robinho out and Urby can't play both wings. Bojan wasn't trusted then.
(IMG:
style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) We have switched tactics around to suit the lad to a stronger extent than last season.
C) He is a striker.
I think the third point gets underrated too much. As a striker, you could miss 4 chances coz you're not good enough and make one stick in the back of the net, and the rewards are huge. You get a big boost in confidence and it affects other areas of your gameplay as a result. E.g. SES's increased involvement in the build-up play and defending.
As a defender it's not so easy. One missed marking, one misplaced tackle all of it can be lethal and actually cost your team and hit your confidence for six. Not scoring a goal doesn't really cost your team as much as conceding one.
TL;DR
An out-of-form defender is a liability. An inexperienced/unskilled defender is a liability. An in-form defender is a necessity. An inexperienced but skilled defender is a future asset.
An out-of-form striker is nothing. An out-of-form striker who doesn't help the team is a liability. An in-form stiker is an asset, and an inexperienced but skilled striker is a future asset.