++ [ originally posted by John #10
] ++
dude, i believe that i have to say thank you..finally someone is brave enough to go agaisnt the trend (and agree with me

) that a big name player is not the best solution.
dude, massive respect to you.
I want young players, especially young players where they are needed, which is defense.
nothing against Emerson, he's a good player and all, but he's going to be 29, so he's already reached his ceiling for improvement, and midfield is not that big of a need. And that 12 million can be better spent.
Here's how I see it.
Assuming that they play a 4-3-1-2 formation like they did last year, then to me, what they should do is field a midfield of Nedved-Tacchinardi-Appiah, move Maresca into the 1 position, and bring Camo off the bench, or if they sell Nedved, move Camo into the starting 11. I haven't given up on Appiah just yet. He's only 23, with a lot of physical gifts, and this was his first season for a big club. I still think that Tacchinardi can do a decent job in central midfield, as long as his primary role is that of a Defensive Midfielder who can control the middle. If anything, I would like to see Juve give Blasi or Brighi a chance to be the heir apparent to Tacchinardi.
To me, an improved defense will relieve an awful lot of pressure on the midfielders, and actually allow them to do their job, which is cover the middle of the pitch, and allow our creators to create, instead of having to rush back into defense to cover for our defenders many physical and mental lapses.
John, I have been and will be against this Emerson signing, but I'm resigned to the fate that its going to happen.