Summer Mercato season 2023-24 (60 Viewers)
- Thread starter Mark
- Start date
- Status
Nedved, Cannavaro, Thuram, Barzagli, Pirlo, Tevez. Most of our best signings of different eras happening in the ages of 29-31. Then ask the Galactico real madrid how old their new stars were (zizou, figo, makelele, Ronaldo etc).
But in todays youth obbsessed team building (its smart to do it, but dont be singularly focused on it), anyone above 26 is considered basically almost finished why even bother lol
my point exactly. of course there are other players who arrived at an earlier stage of their career and became brilliant signings (adp, buffon, zidane, chiellini, etc), but at 28 you're in your prime
just take a look at our current squad and tell me with a straight face that sergej wouldn't walk into this team. of course it would have been better to sign him when he was 24, he already looked like a complete player back then too, but what's done is done, and it doesn't mean that he's finished. i'd still take him
just take a look at our current squad and tell me with a straight face that sergej wouldn't walk into this team. of course it would have been better to sign him when he was 24, he already looked like a complete player back then too, but what's done is done, and it doesn't mean that he's finished. i'd still take him
It might have something to with the sophistication of youth academies compared to 20 years ago. Scouting systems are also developing and playing a bigger and bigger role. Kids are under full observation once they start professional training and talents are spotted early.
- - - Updated - - -
agree with the rest of the post. just the bold part reminds me of a famous saying in football that south americans start to decline at the age of 28 lmao
- - - Updated - - -
agree with the rest of the post. just the bold part reminds me of a famous saying in football that south americans start to decline at the age of 28 lmao
Last edited:
some do, then again tevez, danilo, cuadrado, dani alves (etc) were/are playing very well at that age - and neither of berardi and sergej are south americans to begin with
age is just a number. some players are complete well before they hit 25, some others are late bloomers. i think we should get sergej if the price is right. as for berardi, i call bs on gds
age is just a number. some players are complete well before they hit 25, some others are late bloomers. i think we should get sergej if the price is right. as for berardi, i call bs on gds
I wouldn't mind him for rotation, but he should not be our primary target for the right flank. I think we should try get Zaniolo on a loan + obligation or someone promising like Güler from Fenerbache. The latter could be a very Giuntoli-type move and I hope we do see a few Kvaras and Kims come our way.
Quite honestly, this team should not be looking at anyone over 25 unless it is a deal that is too good to pass up.
SMS MIGHT be that deal in question. But that is about it.
This club needs a serious rebuild. And what has happened recently will only accelerate the need to get younger. I don't want a bunch of average to above average players coming in that might give this team a shot to qualify for CL. At what cost? Contracts that are well over the value of the player, that will be nearly impossible to move? Those same players blocking younger players of promise an opportunity to play?
No thank you. This club has needed an enema for years, and I hope it happens now.
SMS MIGHT be that deal in question. But that is about it.
This club needs a serious rebuild. And what has happened recently will only accelerate the need to get younger. I don't want a bunch of average to above average players coming in that might give this team a shot to qualify for CL. At what cost? Contracts that are well over the value of the player, that will be nearly impossible to move? Those same players blocking younger players of promise an opportunity to play?
No thank you. This club has needed an enema for years, and I hope it happens now.
Balance is the key to a successful squad and having a mix of ages is part of that. I can't think of many successful teams with a majority of under 25 year olds.
We need to rebuild and be sustainable, so signing younger players is a good idea for our bigger investments. But there is nothing wrong with players over 25 who can still contribute for a few seasons if the price is right e.g. Kostic.
We need to rebuild and be sustainable, so signing younger players is a good idea for our bigger investments. But there is nothing wrong with players over 25 who can still contribute for a few seasons if the price is right e.g. Kostic.
- Status