All those combinations you mentioned were alpha defenders, Nesta, Maldini, Costacurta were never followers. The Alex and Mexes example is a bad one. They had never played regularly next to each other and the one game they did they were a complete mess. But it was mostly down to basic understanding, and not because they're the same type of defender.

There are also other great pairings in the history of football. Off the top of my head:

Puyol-Pique, Ferdinand-Vidic, Bonucci-Barzagli-Chiellini, Lucio-Samuel, Thiago-Nesta were also a pairing that worked incredibly well together in the short time they had together

Also, you brought up Luiz and Thiago. For me Luiz is barely a defender, let alone an alpha CB. They didn't work because he's simply an unreliable CB, and I'd consider him a beta


Personally I'd start with Biglia, I don't understand how we're cheaping out on him but are willing to spend so much on Kalinic. Makes absolutely no sense. But I also think there could be other opportunities out there for a great CM, Cesc would definitely still be top of my list, he'll be riding the bench under Conte, so we should definitely try to test the waters on that one

Radja as well, maybe we'd have to throw in all of that 60m you mentioned, but he's totally worth it and I think he's come if we offered him certain guarantees plus a good wage package.



Btw, wtf is up with this Borini signing??? FFS this is one terrible move. I don't understand why we'd waste time and money on getting him. Lapa and Bacca are obviously out the door, but couldn't we have gone for someone who's actually just a bit decent, and not someone who's barely cracked the double figures for goals over the last 5(!) years!

Biglia does not exclude Calhanoglu. And the names you mentioned, Fabregas and Nainggolan are not feasible options. The Fabregas rumors have died down completely. I guess he wants to play the CL next season and we can't offer that opportunity. Nainggolan would cost a sh*t load of money so it's out of the question.

So, again, who would you sign in midfield who's better than Calhanoglu?

As for Borini, I guess it's more for depth than anything else. A mediocre player who would happily sit on the bench and that can play in many positions.

Looks like Lapa is off to Genoa

Genoa's offer for Lapadula is around €13-15M. [Sportitalia]

Honestly, I do not see the reasoning behind this. Sure we made money from him, got Borini for less than half of what we're getting for Lapa, but quality wise, Lapa is Sheva compared to Borini! Lapadula scored more goals last season than Borini scored in the last 3 years FFS!!

I really want to know what the thinking is behind this move. I want to believe there's some devious plan to use him in the Biglia deal (Lazio were very interested in him). But I think it basically boils down to them seeing a good piece of business to be done and got a quick a cheap replacement for Lapa

I know Calhanoglu doesn't exclude a CM like Biglia (I'm just generally not very impressed by him). A CM will definitely arrive separate to Calhanoglu who's an AM. What I said was we shouldn't be wasting too much money on filler players like Kalinic and Calhanoglu, we can basically move last season's first team to the bench and not waste too much money on getting bench players, which is what Kalinic would be, and like I said, Hakan doesn't convince me all that much, especially if we're going to play him in such a crucial position as a trequartista/AM

As for the CM, like I said, first I'd close out Biglia, he's a very good player imo, very experienced (most importantly in Serie A) and a leader on the pitch. I think he'll be essential for us next season.

As for a big signing. I think both Cesc and Radja are options. If we're willing to spend so much on a backup than surely we can break the bank for the best midfielder in the league, and Roma have shown that they are more than willing to sell if the price is right

Cesc imo is also still an option, it's just a matter of making a move for him. I don't think he wants to sit on the bench, no matter how much CL is important to him

Obviously there are other options like Kovacic for example, but I actually think he'd be harder to get as Real have no reason to want to sell.

Borini is a winger, Lapadula is a CF.

So, Borini will be a back up and he is better than Honda and Ocampos, while Kalinic > Lapadula.

Meh, he's not really a winger for me, he's not skilled enough he's a mediocre forward, nothing more

Mediocre? You're graceful han.

Terrible? Awful? Abysmal? Dreadful?

Yep, I'd pick one of these atributes.

I believe he is considered more of a winger than a CF, though he could play both. Not that impressive in either role, so I have to assume he is either providing depth (remember, we also have EL this year) or (as suggested) will be used as part of some other deal.

Poli to Bologna done according to Di Marzio. He'll go on a free transfer...

Suddenly I feel like the ghost of Galliani is running things at Casa Milan

Let's hope we at least close out Conti this week

Hmh. The ghost of Galliani... well,...

OK, that's your opinion and I respect it. Personally, I think Calhanogu would be a very good signing and I'd welcome it. We're not ready yet to sign the Fabregas' and James' of this world, so less acclaimed but yet talented players like Andre Silva and Calhanoglu are exactly what we can afford.



Wishful thinking, Han. Wishful thinking.

I'm not even continuing this any more!

PS hard to judge Silva tonight. Combustible and argues his way into the book while missing a relatively open goal. Not exactly blown away by him so far.

There's yer reasoning! He was mediocrity and the fact we've made 100% profit is great business. Well done to the club on this one.