Gonzalo Higuaín (47 apps, 8 goals in CL and 43% chance conversion rate) (42 Viewers)
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If this guy is available for a good price, regardless of whether we've already bought Llorente, he'd be an excellent addition to our squad.
All of these Ibra rumors have ruined a lot of people's ability to engage their common sense right now; think about where our club is coming from. If a player of this quality is available, wants to join our project, is affordable and works within the wage budget, then Beppe would be foolish not to at least consider it.
This is another guy who fits a lot of the criteria of what we're ostensibly looking for in a big purchase up front. I agree that he's not the best complimentary piece for Llorente... but I also believe he's much better than Llorente - and he's still only 25.
Higuain
All of these Ibra rumors have ruined a lot of people's ability to engage their common sense right now; think about where our club is coming from. If a player of this quality is available, wants to join our project, is affordable and works within the wage budget, then Beppe would be foolish not to at least consider it.
This is another guy who fits a lot of the criteria of what we're ostensibly looking for in a big purchase up front. I agree that he's not the best complimentary piece for Llorente... but I also believe he's much better than Llorente - and he's still only 25.
Higuain
If this guy is available for a good price, regardless of whether we've already bought Llorente, he'd be an excellent addition to our squad.
All of these Ibra rumors have ruined a lot of people's ability to engage their common sense right now; think about where our club is coming from. If a player of this quality is available, wants to join our project, is affordable and works within the wage budget, then Beppe would be foolish not to at least consider it.
This is another guy who fits a lot of the criteria of what we're ostensibly looking for in a big purchase up front. I agree that he's not the best complimentary piece for Llorente... but I also believe he's much better than Llorente - and he's still only 25.
Higuain
All of these Ibra rumors have ruined a lot of people's ability to engage their common sense right now; think about where our club is coming from. If a player of this quality is available, wants to join our project, is affordable and works within the wage budget, then Beppe would be foolish not to at least consider it.
This is another guy who fits a lot of the criteria of what we're ostensibly looking for in a big purchase up front. I agree that he's not the best complimentary piece for Llorente... but I also believe he's much better than Llorente - and he's still only 25.
Higuain
If you're going to buy him for 25m and then retrofit him on the right just to accommodate Llorente too, then you're better off spending 10m less on Nani and putting the extra 10 toward a quality LB like Coentrao. Or save it and sell Vucinic/Matri/Quag to raise funds for Ibra. After having waited so long to take this step up, I just think its silly to go for the first available 'WC' quality level player we can get our hands on. That's not how these things should work. There are a lot of considerations to be made when spending that kind of money, and right now, unfortunately Higuain isn't coming out on top of them.
Wow, bud, you're assuming quite a bit there, starting with us moving to 4-3-3 as our new base formation. I mean, I think we should be able to vary our tactics a bit more, but that's a big shift that hasn't been confirmed. Also, IMO, Nani is not nearly the caliber of player Higuain is, I don't think he could make nearly the difference for our club that Higgy could. Honestly, I'm not interested in that player at this point, not really a Nani fan.
The bottom line, Baggio, is that we need 2-3 new attackers for our forward line to be up to snuff on the continent. Llorente is not somebody that I rate particularly highly (I've gone over this before, I've seen him in limited action - 7 games or so, never found him impressive), he's sat out most of a year, new club/language/country, etc. That move is not a slam dunk, I don't simply pencil him in, and say that because Athletic wanted 36M for him or whatever, he's going to save the day - or be prolific (something that he's never been in La Liga, anyway - 18 goal max season).
So, depending on Marotta's available options, the situation with Higuain, etc., I would gladly welcome a player of his ability to my club. It might not be the ideal complimentary piece, but his goalscoring certainly does meet a serious need.
I'm not somebody who believes in widespread changes (in this case, I don't think we should clear out our entire attack), but if opportunities arise, we should seize them, and then work towards selling the strikers who are not as gifted. Still lots of time in this market.
The bottom line, Baggio, is that we need 2-3 new attackers for our forward line to be up to snuff on the continent. Llorente is not somebody that I rate particularly highly (I've gone over this before, I've seen him in limited action - 7 games or so, never found him impressive), he's sat out most of a year, new club/language/country, etc. That move is not a slam dunk, I don't simply pencil him in, and say that because Athletic wanted 36M for him or whatever, he's going to save the day - or be prolific (something that he's never been in La Liga, anyway - 18 goal max season).
So, depending on Marotta's available options, the situation with Higuain, etc., I would gladly welcome a player of his ability to my club. It might not be the ideal complimentary piece, but his goalscoring certainly does meet a serious need.
I'm not somebody who believes in widespread changes (in this case, I don't think we should clear out our entire attack), but if opportunities arise, we should seize them, and then work towards selling the strikers who are not as gifted. Still lots of time in this market.
Your assessment is quite right Enzo. Llorente will give us the physical presence we have lacked for ages, while Higuain will give us a bit more finesse and agility on a continental level. But effectively, they will still both be fighting for the same spot on our team unless we shift to a 433, in which case we'll try and accommodate both. It's too risky IMO, to buy Higuain and play him with Llorente in a 352, in a year you're looking to crack Europe.
Not assuming at all. I was just highlighting how we can spend our money more intelligently to give us more options in terms of tactics. If we don't intend to have that tactical versatility, I mentioned Ibra coz I see him work better wi Llorente, a player who will be earning 4.5m, and who I'm sure will be given a fair run in.
I totally agree with you about the Llorente situation. I think he's going to adapt to too much to be a guarantee in a new league and team. Which is why, it's perhaps more imperative, we go with with a game changing guarantee. I consider that player to be Ibra, not Higuain. We could throw up the wage argument, but of this is the year we want to bridge the gap, we are going to have to take a hit at some point. Whether that is in transfer fee or the wages.
I personally don't see a revolution up front either. As much as we may think our forwards suck, Marrotta does have a point that our attack scored a fair number of goals this season. This maybe because they are more or less well balanced as a forward line and make for a good group in a league of attrition, but where they lack is on the continent. That's effectively what this purchase is going to be about, and considering its stature, it's going to be ONE truly big, class player, and one well reputed one at thievery best. To me, Higuain is one rung below the kind of player we need to get this summer. I'd put DiMaria, Ibra, Ribery, Villa, Robben, Benz, Suarez, Cavani etc, in that category. not debating price points, simply quality.
If left to me, and I'm sure a lot of people might dispute this, but I'd pay 40m and buy only Suarez this mercato, and only buy an LwB if we are able to sell better than that. But what I'm absolutely sure of is the fact that we will spend about 25m or thereabouts on a single player. Therefore it's only right we do so on someone who has the ability to carry the team.
Not assuming at all. I was just highlighting how we can spend our money more intelligently to give us more options in terms of tactics. If we don't intend to have that tactical versatility, I mentioned Ibra coz I see him work better wi Llorente, a player who will be earning 4.5m, and who I'm sure will be given a fair run in.
I totally agree with you about the Llorente situation. I think he's going to adapt to too much to be a guarantee in a new league and team. Which is why, it's perhaps more imperative, we go with with a game changing guarantee. I consider that player to be Ibra, not Higuain. We could throw up the wage argument, but of this is the year we want to bridge the gap, we are going to have to take a hit at some point. Whether that is in transfer fee or the wages.
I personally don't see a revolution up front either. As much as we may think our forwards suck, Marrotta does have a point that our attack scored a fair number of goals this season. This maybe because they are more or less well balanced as a forward line and make for a good group in a league of attrition, but where they lack is on the continent. That's effectively what this purchase is going to be about, and considering its stature, it's going to be ONE truly big, class player, and one well reputed one at thievery best. To me, Higuain is one rung below the kind of player we need to get this summer. I'd put DiMaria, Ibra, Ribery, Villa, Robben, Benz, Suarez, Cavani etc, in that category. not debating price points, simply quality.
If left to me, and I'm sure a lot of people might dispute this, but I'd pay 40m and buy only Suarez this mercato, and only buy an LwB if we are able to sell better than that. But what I'm absolutely sure of is the fact that we will spend about 25m or thereabouts on a single player. Therefore it's only right we do so on someone who has the ability to carry the team.
Bronzetti: "Juve-Higuain, something moved ..."
http://www.tuttojuve.com/?action=read&idnotizia=138897
http://www.tuttojuve.com/?action=read&idnotizia=138897
"something moved..." 
And BTW this is even funnier:
Giovanni Guardalà: "Sul mercato si punta a due big, un attaccante e un esterno. Pronto anche un terzino sinistro, Marotta è convinto di accontentare Conte"
translates to:
Look at John: "The market is pointing to two big, offensive and outside. Pronto also a left-back, Marotta is convinced to satisfy Count"
Wow. Baggio + Rollie, fantastic discussion guys and one very hard to make a clear cut of. That's what makes this site fantastic.
I am torn apart. Higuain @ 25m should be a no-brainer, but Baggio is right too. Can we sell? Whom? How much? Imho before we have some answers for those questions we can't make a decision on Higuain.
Let's be hopeful that we can sell a few forwards and get the 25m for Pipita without impacting our budget too much. Can this happen? Could this be the reason for such preliminary talk with Madrid? I hope so.
Out?
Bendtner/Anelka/Iaquinta - finally.
Quag - 8m (he has 2 years on contract and went through a fine season)
Matri - 8m
Vucinic/Jewvinco - 10+m
It's a lot of wages getting freed(12+m net?) and we could recoup the money for Higuain from bench player sales alone. So it's not all doom and gloom financial wise.
I am torn apart. Higuain @ 25m should be a no-brainer, but Baggio is right too. Can we sell? Whom? How much? Imho before we have some answers for those questions we can't make a decision on Higuain.
Let's be hopeful that we can sell a few forwards and get the 25m for Pipita without impacting our budget too much. Can this happen? Could this be the reason for such preliminary talk with Madrid? I hope so.
Out?
Bendtner/Anelka/Iaquinta - finally.
Quag - 8m (he has 2 years on contract and went through a fine season)
Matri - 8m
Vucinic/Jewvinco - 10+m
It's a lot of wages getting freed(12+m net?) and we could recoup the money for Higuain from bench player sales alone. So it's not all doom and gloom financial wise.
I know, i tried to translate it properly but couldn't find the right word so I let google do the job.
And BTW this is even funnier:
Giovanni Guardalà: "Sul mercato si punta a due big, un attaccante e un esterno. Pronto anche un terzino sinistro, Marotta è convinto di accontentare Conte"
translates to:
Look at John: "The market is pointing to two big, offensive and outside. Pronto also a left-back, Marotta is convinced to satisfy Count"
And BTW this is even funnier:
Giovanni Guardalà: "Sul mercato si punta a due big, un attaccante e un esterno. Pronto anche un terzino sinistro, Marotta è convinto di accontentare Conte"
translates to:
Look at John: "The market is pointing to two big, offensive and outside. Pronto also a left-back, Marotta is convinced to satisfy Count"
Whoever says that Higuain will not be a wonderful acquisition for Juventus is out of his/hers mind. He will be the best striker we have had in our line-up since Trezeguet and that is for sure. Now you people need to draw the line between a player not being a world class and a player not making it in his new team. This second situation is something that is not predictable at all and all new players can suffer from it.
Higuain is World Class! And that is not up for a debate. Whether he will make it in Italy or not is something that no one knows and can not know until he actually plays here.
Higuain is World Class! And that is not up for a debate. Whether he will make it in Italy or not is something that no one knows and can not know until he actually plays here.
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