You said there wasn't a player that looks comfortable attacking on the left. I answer Giovinco. I know he doesn't play a lot, but when he does, he looks very comfortable attacking on the left.
He should, but Ferrara is incapable of making sure that happens. Babel and Torres would of been immense if Benitez knew how to use Babel. Shame he did not.
It's hard to call Almiron a flop. He didn't even get a fair run of matches. Now, Tiago could be considered a flop, if we want to use that terminology. But I also think Ranieri should be partly blamed for that as well (through comments to the media, overall handling, and misinterpretation of what sort of player he is/was).
Criscito's loan would have been enough, but they had to screw it up even more with the co-owning. That's just so typical, and why this Italian system is idiotic and archaic.