Kasaki, c'mon buddy - you know that stats don't tell the whole story in football, right? I would rate many of Marchisio's intangibles above melo, and those aren't recorded in statistics.
It doesn't make sense to strictly judge players based on a comparison of statistics between a DM, and a box to box, right? It makes even less sense to do it when one has been played out of position for most of the last year.
Contrary to Janna's belief, stats can definitely lie, they can easily be misleading.
I like Claudio a lot, I always back him up in his thread. He is underrated on this site, IMO. He is clean in possession, he would certainly benefit from continuity, a proper LB, and some more movement up front.
Those goals he scored were important goals, but let's not get carried away and say that this guy is a "clutch player," until he does it consistently, season in and season out, in big games. As much as I like the guy, I haven't seen enough to call him a clutch player - not by a long shot.
Also, at the end of this point, you say 'not to take anything away from melo', while criticizing him. That's not particularly logical... but you're right in that he does occasionally get a little too cute with the ball.
Forget Melo as a "good long ball passer," or whatever you've 'heard' he's supposed to be. Sure, he's not the greatest player going forward. The guy is a crazy beast of a destroyer though, with above average passing and technical ability (when you compare him to destroyers). Just appreciate what you know he is, and recognize the value he brings in that capacity. He's steel, and passion.
C'mon buddy, Marchisio is one of my favorites - I constantly defended him in his thread all season long - but I really find it impossible to accept that Melo wasn't far more influential on our matches during this past season.
As for Sissoko doing the job Melo does... the guy can't pass 5 yards, hasn't been fit in what seems like forever, and certainly cannot do the job that Felipe Melo can do. You think Melo has problems with ball retention, well the soaker is a turnover machine. He has way less technical quality than Melo.
What does the statement, "Credit for saving this season goes to Quagliarella and Matri. Quag was our rise and downfall, while Matri helped stabilize a sinking ship," even mean? We came 7th and didn't qualify for Europe at all. We're talking about what was effectively the worst season in Juventus' history, right? How was it saved? I don't understand.
Melo may be hot headed, but a lot of people let some of his poor decisions - and he has made some VERY poor decisions - influence their valuation of the player's ability a little too much. We're going to miss this guy, and if Sissoko is gone as well (which he should be, given performances/fitness), then this midfield is going to be lacking physicality big time.