I confess I share the same concerns as you Cron...Melo is the same kind of player as Marchi, only with a better international profile...let's hope Ciro believes in Claudio and makes him a sure starter
Mmmm, not exactly. I'd say Melo is more like an Emerson-type of player who can play well in all aspects of the game, including passing the ball, who can sit in the middle of the pitch. Marchisio is more of an industrious midfielder who can drive forward, but can't direct play like Melo can.
But lets not worry about this. Even if one thinks they're similar players, Melo is the better one right now. Yet this doesn't mean Marchisio won't play at all because he can fit in on either side of Melo in a diamond midfield. If he has to be the first one off the bench for Camo, Sissoko or Melo, that means he will see a lot of time. If we got someone such as Hamsik, Marchisio would get even less time because they're similar players.
And most importantly, we shouldn't be focusing on playing the same XI all the time. We should be open to switching formations and trying other players if things don't work, or tailor the team to the opposition we are facing.
People get too bogged down and concerned with having a set XI and formation that it becomes detrimental to the team.