It's not really about making up numbers. We preferred to go with one player less on our roster than put a primavera player in there. It's about having players we can actually use. Zaza or Berardi would hardly get any playing time with the forward lineup we have currently. They are at least another season away from featuring for us imo. Criscito would cost us money while we'll lose money on Isla. Also, $#@! Criscito
Also I feel we need a LB regardless so why not Criscito? He is a good player and already knows serie A. Better then a lot of the options. We could get half the money we need for him by selling our half of Isla, even if we dont recoup the full amount. The rest can come from selling a surplus player. Criscito is a better LB for a 433 or 424 formation while Asa can be our guy for the 352 or if we need him in Mid.
For me it's more about bringing a player which can take us to the next level (mata, Di maria .. etc), even if it means we have to do a bit of rejigging with the squad.
I think if most teams had 5 really good central mids they would swap one of them if it meant bringing in a player who is not only better but is a totally different sort of player who our club seems to lack. Mata could have a similar impact on our attacking play that Nedved had, he took things into his hands and created so much for us (although mata lacks Nedved crazy defensive work rate)
