Right ... this one's long, so get a cup of Coffee or just ignore it.
Now that our transfer campaign is underway, here's the areas of the squad I feel we should improve on. But first, I'd also like to say that this is probably the most important transfer campaign for the next 3-5 years, since the core of our team will have to be revamped.
First up, its pretty obvious our goalkeeping lineup needs a complete make over. I'd like to see a minimum of two keepers brought in. We need a starter, who will be heir to Dida's number one jersey. Kalac isn't it. The top two keepers in the world don't look to be moving anytime soon, so we'd have to take a chance on consistent keepers like Frey, but please no Lehmann. A decent backup like Marseille's Landreau (sp?) or those German youngsters I talk about, could accompany either Dida or Kalac, but at least one of them will have to go. Frankly, I wouldn't mind both of them making way for some younger talents. I'm not really good at picking keepers though, so feel free to correct me or add to what I'm thinking ...
GK: A starter (like Frey), decent sub (like Landreau, Amelia, Abiatti), Dida/Kalac or young talent.
In central defense, I'd like to see either Barzagli or Mertesaker being brought in. Although the latter's been in bad form, he's very young and has shown the required qualities before, at the highest level. We need to put Kaladze under pressure, because we all know he can do better than he has this last season. I'd also like to keep Simic and Bonera because they are decent cover with a fair deal of experience already down their belts. I'd also like us to give Darmian a chance. He couldn't be worse than Digao ... If Maldini wants to continue, he's better off in the center than on the flanks as well.
CB: Nesta, Kaladze, Barzagli/Mertesaker/WC defender, Bonera, Simic, Darmian, Maldini and Digao, I guess.
Wingbacks ... I don't know why we extended Sergi's contract, and even if its already been done, I hope we get his replacement now. Same goes for Cafu and Favalli. We need dynamic players in these positions, as it will surely open up Pirlo's options. Zambrotta can give us 2-3 more seasons + is versatile. There are some big names in these positions nowadays, but I feel we should go for two or three cheaper alternatives, like Boka from the Ivory Coast who's a young LB, or how Arsenal got Sagna from nowhere. Main reason being, we need to have good depth in this area since we've been hit + found lacking in cover far too often. So, I'd rather us spend the same amount on 2 decent fullbacks, rather than 1 WC one ... since we'll already have Janku, Zambrotta and Oddo. I'd like to see us have 3 workable sets of fullbacks. Also, for some strange reason, I'm losing interest in shorter fullbacks like Alves, Evra and Lahm. While quick and versatile, the fullbacks I'm interested in should first and foremost be good defenders, which also includes being defensively good in the air, unless they are s(h)ort of like Canna
Unlike most here, I think Sagnol is a decent RB especially for France ... but unfortunately, the wrong side of 30. You could say the same about Zambrotta, but the Italian is more experienced (Serie A) + versatile ... which is why he'd get the nod.
WB: Zambrotta, Oddo, Janku, three cheap decent Wbs (Boka, Gilberto of Angola and Al Ahly, Wome of Werder, etc.) and for namesake, Sergi and Favalli ... though we should really get rid of them.
Central Midfielders: As has been the case for A.'s teams, this still remains our strongest point. Our disappointing season is perhaps because our central midfield failed to dominate like they did in the past. Bringing Flamini in will surely increase our options, but rather than let go of Gattuso, there's Emerson and Brocchi in the ranks who should leave first. An option would be to let go of both of them + replace them with a talented youngster. I also think we should keep Gourcuff and mold him into Pirlo's eventual replacement. Bringing in another passer/constructor would surely see the end of his career here ... though if we did chose that route, there are options still out there, like Maresca. Personally, I'd like to see Gourcuff be Pirlo's sub ... and if he's still struggling to settle in, then Clarence can play this role for the necessary time required for him to adapt.
CM: Pirlo, Gattuso, Ambro, Flamini, Gourcuff/Maresca or other Pirlo-Sub, Clarence, young talent like Gourcuff/Anderson.
Moving further up the field, the big question will be whether Clarence really is worth sacrificing a second striker for. As has been agreed on before, against tougher opposition, he probably is ... but to regain the psychological advantage we previously had over the lesser Serie A clubs (like Napoli), we have got to play with two upfront, with Kaka' supporting. Its a real shame that a team like Napoli can be confident about beating us, even if they had nothing to play for while we did. Either way, we cannot rely on only Kaka' and Clarence ... with Gourcuff looking increasingly a central midfielder, particularly effective on the left. The obvious addition would be a winger, first a foremost. I think we should get two, to be honest. The first, an orthodox winger, capable of playing down the flanks + delivering a cross/pass to the middle or mazing his way through toward the middle from wide areas. Pretty much like what Sergi was for us at the turn of the decade. This winger, I feel, should be left footed + should play down the left. He doesn't need to be world class ... even a decent promising talent with PACE and CONTROL would do fine.
The second, a QUALITY attacking midfielder capable of playing in wide areas to good effect. Similar to Kaka', he should be able to either go wide, or cut in toward the middle. Now, I know Dinho's name's on everyone's lip, and I must confess that the prospect of having an in form Dinho team up with Kaka' is fascinating ... but there are some other top players out there who are in better form + will come cheaper. Top of my list remains Quaresma ... I think he will give us the pace + unpredictability we lack ... and in time, would unfortunately drop Clarence further deeper into midfield. Werder's Diego is more of a central player, but is also very capable. Hleb also has played both in wide and central areas, as has Rosicky.
AM: Kaka', Clarence, Quaresma/Hleb/Diego/Dinho, Promising Left Winger.
In attack, well, this will be Pato's first full season ... and a talent like his deserves the appropriate partnership it needs to be developed and utilized fully. If he doesn't have enough support, a bad season has the possibility of ruining him ala Gila ... so we need to have a proven goal scorer partnering him. Even if Pato doesn't score many goals, the fact that he contributed to a victory can only do well to his self confidence. Top of my list remains Eto'o despite his behavior and fitness problems. If anyone watched the Manure Semi Final, you would have noticed that he gave his all + never stopped working hard. Thats the attitude I like to see ... then you've also got the obvious talent he has in abundance. The only strikers who'd give him a run for his money would be Drogba and Toni, in my humble opinion. Both of whom are on the wrong side of 30 as well. Huntelaar's consistency should also not go unnoticed ... the kid is waiting for a bigger challenge. And who better to learn from than Pippo? Like I said earlier, I'm not too big on Berbatov, but I'd certainly take him over the likes of Amauri.
ST: Pato, Eto'o/Berbatov/Drogba or Toni as temporary soutions, Inzaghi, Huntelaar, Palo
I'd like us to use the 4-3-1-2 on a regular Serie A thrashing
and the 4-3-2-1 against tougher opposition. The introduction of the wingers can also see us play a
flat 4-4-2 if the need be necessary. We can change our systems during games + will have the necessary cover and depth required to win Serie A. Thats a lot of money invested, but this is the core of the team ... so, it will be worth it in the long run. Besides, we're lucky that we still have world class players like Nesta, Kaka', Pirlo, Clarence, Gattuso in our ranks ... lets give them the support they've certainly deserved. On the pitch, as well.
. Also, shouldn't be too expensive... hopefully not anyway...7 signings which are quite possible / affordable.
And how do you know those in green are definitely signed? 
