Regardless of whether our signings appear presently as 'scudetto material', they have strengthened our squad. It would be better to accept that our squad last season was nowhere near scudetto material. Neither was our management, or president.
What I am looking for, as always, is PROGRESS. And the transfers so far, seem like progress to me. Camo had to be culled. He was costing us a huge amount of money, and hardly ever played. When he DID manage to play, he was nowhere near the force he once was. Our team lacked width last season, not only due to tactical choices of ferrara and Zacheroni, but due to the haggard state of Camo, the constant fear preventing Giovinco's chance to shine, and who else do we have, who can play on the wings???? Sali???? We NEEDED wide players. We have Pepe, who I am certain will prove much more useful than Camo of last season, and who knows, maybe he could become our new di livio...Martinez showed wonderful form in the latter part of last season, at a club which is definitely far behind us in terms of overall talent. What's to say he can't continue that form with us, when supported by better players???? What I like about him mainly is that he seems to enjoy rising to the occasion. It makes me think the greater the challenge, the more he relishes taking part, testing himself. Pepe's attitude also, seems spirited. Indeed he is more industrious than creative...but...we needed wide players. we needed an injection of spirit. Those two have helped us on those counts. We may well be still in the hunt for Krasic, and I assume that Del Neri is willing to give giovinco a chance to become one of the four wide players needed...two starters, and two challenging them from the bench.
Our right back situation has been shocking for a long time. With only grygera goblin ever showing me a sense of competence. Motta has shown great promise in the past, represented his country at several levels since his youth, and remains young enough to improve much more. He isn't going to cost us much, and even if he doesn't become amazing, he is a definite improvement on what we have had to put up with in that position for several seasons. Add to his arrival the purchase of Bonucci, who along with ranocchia, appeared very much like a real contender to become a fine player. Again, we needed reinforcements at centreback...and grabbed one of the brightest prospects in Italy. I assume, that we will still be looking for an experienced centreback, to add to the Bonnucci, chiellini, legro mix. Two starters, two challengers from the bench.
You can look at last season and blame our demise on the management, and on injuries...but its wiser and more accurate to add to the list of culprits : a squad in dire need of strengthening on the flanks, both in midfield and defence and in the middle of the back line.
Has marotta not already strengthened LW/RW/RB/CB????
All that is left to make me satisfied is a Left Back, additional experienced quality centre back...and perhaps finally, some readjustment or replacements in attack. I hope that Amauri can be sold. Trez can stay, if his body is going to hold out for another season. Iaquinta, whilst lacking intelligence on the field, has wonderful determination....still, we would ALL be happy if we grabbed Dzeko, though it seems more likely we will plump for Krasic.
Essentially, I see Marotta as doing a decent job. He has improved us already, and we must all bear in mind, that its very hard to transfer top players during the world cup...so who knows what our new transfer mogul has up his sleeve. He strikes me as a man who keeps his cards close to his chest.
Forza Marotta. Forza Juve.