a positive move....no-nonsense defender who is strong in the air and is very experienced...but i would still go for another top-class CB to be alongside Chiellini
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The Official Olof Mellberg Thread (10 Viewers)
- Thread starter Jim_Boi
- Start date
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Tuesday 29 January, 2008
Blog: Saved by the Mell
Juventus have netted Olof Mellberg for next season, but Richard Godden believes that they should have pulled out all the stops to bring the defender to Turin immediately
On Monday afternoon, Juventus finally confirmed that Olof Mellberg would be arriving at the Stadio Olimpico in the summer from Aston Villa. It represents the end of a transfer saga which has been ongoing for months, but one which should have had a different ending. The simple fact of the matter is that the Bianconeri need the Swedish stopper immediately to plug the all too frequent holes which are appearing in their rearguard.
I’ve read and heard plenty of people’s opinions of Mellberg in recent weeks, many of which have been negative and as a regular viewer of Premier League action, I have to say that I find this view point strange to say the least. Given that his preferred position is centre-back, he has performed admirably on the right-hand side of defence all season and will certainly prosper in either position in Turin. His crossing might not be up to much, but his performances in the defensive third of the pitch have been impressive and that is what he should be judged on.
So what will Juventus be getting when the man who resembles a Viking arrives on July 1? For starters, Ollie will give them a fantastic aerial presence in both defensive and offensive situations. And he’s no slouch on the ground either, with his sheer determination often worth an extra half a yard of pace. Which moves me on to his strongest suite – his attitude.
Mellberg is a player who would seemingly die for the cause. What you get from him, and you’ll have to excuse the cliché, is 110 per cent effort at all times. Sometimes his tenacity can go a little over the edge, but he is usually a hard but fair player. And which referee would argue against that, considering that Mellberg’s unshaven appearance makes him a candidate to take over from Gennaro Gattuso as Serie A’s Wolfman?
Any defence containing Giorgio Chiellini and Mellberg is likely to strike fear into opposition players and officials alike but, unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until the 2008-09 campaign to see how things pan out. Sporting director Alessio Secco is already unpopular enough as it is, but his failure to secure an immediate deal for the Swede has to go under the ever-increasing 'blunders’ column. With Villa sniffing around Alan Hutton and Pascal Chimbonda, surely a cheeky £1m could have sweetened the deal?
People will point to the fact that the Old Lady have added some depth to their backline by bringing in Guglielmo Stendardo from Lazio on loan. However, one of my Juventus supporting colleagues, who will remain unnamed, said of the 26-year-old’s arrival: “Stendardo? We might as well have kept Jean-Alain Boumsong!” With the competition for the Champions League places really starting to hot up, Secco had better hope that David Trezeguet and Co keep banging the goals in…
Blog: Saved by the Mell
Juventus have netted Olof Mellberg for next season, but Richard Godden believes that they should have pulled out all the stops to bring the defender to Turin immediately
On Monday afternoon, Juventus finally confirmed that Olof Mellberg would be arriving at the Stadio Olimpico in the summer from Aston Villa. It represents the end of a transfer saga which has been ongoing for months, but one which should have had a different ending. The simple fact of the matter is that the Bianconeri need the Swedish stopper immediately to plug the all too frequent holes which are appearing in their rearguard.
I’ve read and heard plenty of people’s opinions of Mellberg in recent weeks, many of which have been negative and as a regular viewer of Premier League action, I have to say that I find this view point strange to say the least. Given that his preferred position is centre-back, he has performed admirably on the right-hand side of defence all season and will certainly prosper in either position in Turin. His crossing might not be up to much, but his performances in the defensive third of the pitch have been impressive and that is what he should be judged on.
So what will Juventus be getting when the man who resembles a Viking arrives on July 1? For starters, Ollie will give them a fantastic aerial presence in both defensive and offensive situations. And he’s no slouch on the ground either, with his sheer determination often worth an extra half a yard of pace. Which moves me on to his strongest suite – his attitude.
Mellberg is a player who would seemingly die for the cause. What you get from him, and you’ll have to excuse the cliché, is 110 per cent effort at all times. Sometimes his tenacity can go a little over the edge, but he is usually a hard but fair player. And which referee would argue against that, considering that Mellberg’s unshaven appearance makes him a candidate to take over from Gennaro Gattuso as Serie A’s Wolfman?
Any defence containing Giorgio Chiellini and Mellberg is likely to strike fear into opposition players and officials alike but, unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until the 2008-09 campaign to see how things pan out. Sporting director Alessio Secco is already unpopular enough as it is, but his failure to secure an immediate deal for the Swede has to go under the ever-increasing 'blunders’ column. With Villa sniffing around Alan Hutton and Pascal Chimbonda, surely a cheeky £1m could have sweetened the deal?
People will point to the fact that the Old Lady have added some depth to their backline by bringing in Guglielmo Stendardo from Lazio on loan. However, one of my Juventus supporting colleagues, who will remain unnamed, said of the 26-year-old’s arrival: “Stendardo? We might as well have kept Jean-Alain Boumsong!” With the competition for the Champions League places really starting to hot up, Secco had better hope that David Trezeguet and Co keep banging the goals in…
I'd love to c zapata in the team next year but i doubt it. I think the management won't buy any other additional defenders next year.
buffon
zebina(sali).....andrade(criscito).......legro(mellberg)........chiellini(molinaro)
camo(marchioni)......sissoko(necerino)........zanetti(marchisio)......??(giovinco)
...............del piero (pala)...................................treze(iaquinta).............
buffon
zebina(sali).....andrade(criscito).......legro(mellberg)........chiellini(molinaro)
camo(marchioni)......sissoko(necerino)........zanetti(marchisio)......??(giovinco)
...............del piero (pala)...................................treze(iaquinta).............
NO DOUBTS ABOUT MELLBERG - O'NEILL
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill insisted Juventus-bound defender Olof Mellberg was still fully committed to the midlands club despite substituting him at half-time against Newcastle on Saturday.
The Swedish international has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Italian giants after he quits Villa in the summer.
Mellberg did not have one of his best performances during the opening 45 minutes against the Magpies in the right-back berth he has occupied all season because of Villa's lack of a specialist in that role.
But O'Neill is adamant his decision to replace Mellberg - plus right-sided midfielder Stiliyan Petrov - at the interval had nothing to do with the attitude of the 30-year-old who has been at Villa for seven years.
O'Neill said: "Has there been a change in Olof since he signed for Juventus? Not at all. His attitude has been really good and the change on Saturday was all about trying to get a spark down the right hand side.
"I just wanted a bit more creativity down that side. Olof has been brilliant for us - but he is essentially a centre-half and he is going to go to Juventus to play centre-half.
"I have been asking him to do things at right-back all season and he has done them uncomplainingly.
"I know he's going to fresh pastures in the summer and I've been asking him to create something for us down the right. But he has done that with great willingness and very well.
"Against Newcastle, we needed to get some momentum going down the right so we switched Ashley Young over to that side and Craig Gardner came on at right-back.
"He is not as strong defensively as Olof but the onus was on us to get back into the game.
"Taking Olof off was no slight on him. He's been brilliant. We will be disappointed to see him go in the summer. He is a top professional who wants to help us finish the season on a high note."
Sporting Life
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill insisted Juventus-bound defender Olof Mellberg was still fully committed to the midlands club despite substituting him at half-time against Newcastle on Saturday.
The Swedish international has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Italian giants after he quits Villa in the summer.
Mellberg did not have one of his best performances during the opening 45 minutes against the Magpies in the right-back berth he has occupied all season because of Villa's lack of a specialist in that role.
But O'Neill is adamant his decision to replace Mellberg - plus right-sided midfielder Stiliyan Petrov - at the interval had nothing to do with the attitude of the 30-year-old who has been at Villa for seven years.
O'Neill said: "Has there been a change in Olof since he signed for Juventus? Not at all. His attitude has been really good and the change on Saturday was all about trying to get a spark down the right hand side.
"I just wanted a bit more creativity down that side. Olof has been brilliant for us - but he is essentially a centre-half and he is going to go to Juventus to play centre-half.
"I have been asking him to do things at right-back all season and he has done them uncomplainingly.
"I know he's going to fresh pastures in the summer and I've been asking him to create something for us down the right. But he has done that with great willingness and very well.
"Against Newcastle, we needed to get some momentum going down the right so we switched Ashley Young over to that side and Craig Gardner came on at right-back.
"He is not as strong defensively as Olof but the onus was on us to get back into the game.
"Taking Olof off was no slight on him. He's been brilliant. We will be disappointed to see him go in the summer. He is a top professional who wants to help us finish the season on a high note."
Sporting Life
Mellberg - Right time to go
Defender aims to play Champions League football with Juve
Olof Mellberg concedes he 'could not turn down' the opportunity to join Juventus on a free transfer.
The Swedish defender will bring a seven-year association with Aston Villa to an end in the summer when he links up with Juventus.
Mellberg has agreed a three-year contract with the Italian club and is looking forward to playing for Claudio Ranieri's side.
The former Racing Santander stopper admits it is the 'right time' to be leaving Villa after over 250 appearances for the club.
Happy
"Sooner or later the times comes to leave all clubs and for me this is the right time," said Mellberg in the Birmingham Mail.
"When the chance came to join Juventus I knew it would be the right choice.
"They are one of the more prestigious clubs in the world and they have watched me a lot, for Sweden and for Villa.
"I knew Claudio Ranieri from when I played in Spain and I am happy to have the opportunity to play Champions League football - it is something I could not turn down."
sky sports
Defender aims to play Champions League football with Juve
Olof Mellberg concedes he 'could not turn down' the opportunity to join Juventus on a free transfer.
The Swedish defender will bring a seven-year association with Aston Villa to an end in the summer when he links up with Juventus.
Mellberg has agreed a three-year contract with the Italian club and is looking forward to playing for Claudio Ranieri's side.
The former Racing Santander stopper admits it is the 'right time' to be leaving Villa after over 250 appearances for the club.
Happy
"Sooner or later the times comes to leave all clubs and for me this is the right time," said Mellberg in the Birmingham Mail.
"When the chance came to join Juventus I knew it would be the right choice.
"They are one of the more prestigious clubs in the world and they have watched me a lot, for Sweden and for Villa.
"I knew Claudio Ranieri from when I played in Spain and I am happy to have the opportunity to play Champions League football - it is something I could not turn down."
sky sports
As long as CR will be our coach, his favorite player, Molinaro, will have a starting place, it seems that our coach prefer this player, regardless who else is a available or not:sick:
I reaaly hope so that, the somewhat clumsy for a CB, Chiellini return back to LB, but i doubt so, even if he does, we will have Chiellini, Molinaro and probably De Ceglie too, or another new cheap solution, to cover this position. So that Chiellini and one between Zebina or Grygera will be available to help, Andrade,Mellberg, Legro and Piccolo or Criscito, if 2 or 3 of them get injured or suspended simultaneusly.
That leaves little space for a new CB anyway, esp not someone good enough to be a starter, because he wont be necessary and good enough players are expensive,
since we have so many solutions, our managers wont see a reason to invest more for that position, a perfect excuse to save money
Agree
i dont know if you are sarcastic here, but this absolutely true,
our defense have proved time and time again, that is very fragile, i hoped we will buy a young player, with potential, someone who wold turn out to be one of the backbones of our team, for the years to come and slowly grow up to world class status, someone like Zapata,
among with other promising players in other positions.
All these players, would replace our aging champions and form a new age competent Juve.
That was my dream for the future, a dream to see a powerful Juve in a couple of years or more, unfortunately, Mellberg transfer, turned out to be my worst nightmare, become true, from the way it finally happened!
My fears have been confirmed, we are signing an experienced player, without a great future and without the hope to ever reach world class status any time soon
and we expect him to be one of our best defenders for the next 2-4 years!!
That shows many things for our future plans, that shows the quality of the team our owners are expecting to build and indirectly shows our target for the years to come (position 3-4 in domestic championship and group stages in CL).
I thought we had a 5 year plan, but it seems that we have a 10 year plan,or so,
waiting for Criscito, Molinaro and Piccollo to grow up at world class status and signing free players like Mellberg and present them as great acquisitions, to fill up our starting places until the young ones are ready...
Our expectations have been chopped, our dreams have been betrayed,
it is indeed a bad strategic decision,
it could haven a brilliant tactical decision though, IF only, we could spare a mere million Euros to bring him in, this year,
ceasing this ridiculous mixture/circus, that is called "Juventus defense", for this year!
But unfortunately, for one reason or another, we werent able to do that either
I reaaly hope so that, the somewhat clumsy for a CB, Chiellini return back to LB, but i doubt so, even if he does, we will have Chiellini, Molinaro and probably De Ceglie too, or another new cheap solution, to cover this position. So that Chiellini and one between Zebina or Grygera will be available to help, Andrade,Mellberg, Legro and Piccolo or Criscito, if 2 or 3 of them get injured or suspended simultaneusly.
That leaves little space for a new CB anyway, esp not someone good enough to be a starter, because he wont be necessary and good enough players are expensive,
since we have so many solutions, our managers wont see a reason to invest more for that position, a perfect excuse to save money
Agree
i dont know if you are sarcastic here, but this absolutely true,our defense have proved time and time again, that is very fragile, i hoped we will buy a young player, with potential, someone who wold turn out to be one of the backbones of our team, for the years to come and slowly grow up to world class status, someone like Zapata,
among with other promising players in other positions.
All these players, would replace our aging champions and form a new age competent Juve.
That was my dream for the future, a dream to see a powerful Juve in a couple of years or more, unfortunately, Mellberg transfer, turned out to be my worst nightmare, become true, from the way it finally happened!
My fears have been confirmed, we are signing an experienced player, without a great future and without the hope to ever reach world class status any time soon
and we expect him to be one of our best defenders for the next 2-4 years!!
That shows many things for our future plans, that shows the quality of the team our owners are expecting to build and indirectly shows our target for the years to come (position 3-4 in domestic championship and group stages in CL).
I thought we had a 5 year plan, but it seems that we have a 10 year plan,or so,
waiting for Criscito, Molinaro and Piccollo to grow up at world class status and signing free players like Mellberg and present them as great acquisitions, to fill up our starting places until the young ones are ready...
Our expectations have been chopped, our dreams have been betrayed,
it is indeed a bad strategic decision,
it could haven a brilliant tactical decision though, IF only, we could spare a mere million Euros to bring him in, this year,
ceasing this ridiculous mixture/circus, that is called "Juventus defense", for this year!
But unfortunately, for one reason or another, we werent able to do that either
Mellberg targets central role
Defender looking forward to a fresh start in Serie A
By Kent Hedlundh Last updated: 24th March 2008
International Football
Olof Mellberg is hoping that he will be deployed in the middle of the back four at Juventus.
The Aston Villa defender has agreed to join to the Italian giants in the summer and is looking forward to reverting back to his favoured position.
He has often been used at right-back during his time at Villa Park, but admits that he prefers to be in the heart of the action.
Uncomfortable
"They consider me as a central defender, which is what Martin O'Neill used to see me as," he told Sportbladet.
"Last season, it worked really well with (Villa centre-back) Martin Laursen and also at the start of this season when we played together.
"I don't feel uncomfortable when I get to play as a central defender."
Challenge
Melberg also revealed that his decision to end his seven-year stay in England was driven by a desire to challenge for league titles.
"It will be different in Italy," said the Swedish international.
"Actually, it's the first time that I will be joining a real top club who can, and wants, to fight for titles.
"With all due respect to Aston Villa they have never had the possibility to challenge in that way.
skysports.com
Defender looking forward to a fresh start in Serie A
By Kent Hedlundh Last updated: 24th March 2008
International Football
Olof Mellberg is hoping that he will be deployed in the middle of the back four at Juventus.
The Aston Villa defender has agreed to join to the Italian giants in the summer and is looking forward to reverting back to his favoured position.
He has often been used at right-back during his time at Villa Park, but admits that he prefers to be in the heart of the action.
Uncomfortable
"They consider me as a central defender, which is what Martin O'Neill used to see me as," he told Sportbladet.
"Last season, it worked really well with (Villa centre-back) Martin Laursen and also at the start of this season when we played together.
"I don't feel uncomfortable when I get to play as a central defender."
Challenge
Melberg also revealed that his decision to end his seven-year stay in England was driven by a desire to challenge for league titles.
"It will be different in Italy," said the Swedish international.
"Actually, it's the first time that I will be joining a real top club who can, and wants, to fight for titles.
"With all due respect to Aston Villa they have never had the possibility to challenge in that way.
skysports.com
Mellberg's mind is on Juve
Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg is hoping to leave the club on a high, but he can’t wait to start his new adventure at Juventus.
The Swedish international’s contract at Villa Park expires this summer and he has agreed a pre-contract with the Old Lady.
“I thought that it was the right time to leave,” Mellberg stressed. “You never know about these things, but it felt right.
“Juve came along and they’ve been interested in me for quite some time and they’ve followed me with the national team and with Villa.
“They have a great Coach and they are also one of the biggest clubs in the world, so it was an opportunity that it was right to take.
“I watch the Bianconeri all the time now and I watch all their games on TV. They are doing well at the moment. It’s important that they qualify for the Champions League and they are up there challenging.”
After seven years in Birmingham, the 30-year-old wants to leave as many happy memories as possible.
“It would be nice to finish on a high and qualify for Europe so that the club can take another step forward next season,” Mellberg explained.
“It will be hard to leave. I’ve had a great time – my best footballing years – and I have made many friends. I feel a lot for the club and for the fans and people within the organisation. I have had a great time.
“There’s quite a gap now to fifth spot, but we’re still challenging for the Intertoto with Manchester City and Portsmouth, so we could still get into Europe,” he concluded.
channel 4
Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg is hoping to leave the club on a high, but he can’t wait to start his new adventure at Juventus.
The Swedish international’s contract at Villa Park expires this summer and he has agreed a pre-contract with the Old Lady.
“I thought that it was the right time to leave,” Mellberg stressed. “You never know about these things, but it felt right.
“Juve came along and they’ve been interested in me for quite some time and they’ve followed me with the national team and with Villa.
“They have a great Coach and they are also one of the biggest clubs in the world, so it was an opportunity that it was right to take.
“I watch the Bianconeri all the time now and I watch all their games on TV. They are doing well at the moment. It’s important that they qualify for the Champions League and they are up there challenging.”
After seven years in Birmingham, the 30-year-old wants to leave as many happy memories as possible.
“It would be nice to finish on a high and qualify for Europe so that the club can take another step forward next season,” Mellberg explained.
“It will be hard to leave. I’ve had a great time – my best footballing years – and I have made many friends. I feel a lot for the club and for the fans and people within the organisation. I have had a great time.
“There’s quite a gap now to fifth spot, but we’re still challenging for the Intertoto with Manchester City and Portsmouth, so we could still get into Europe,” he concluded.
channel 4
Come on. As far as we see, he's a very good player, in term of defense. Now, I hope he is just another example like Momo. I desperately hope he will prove everyone is right to like him.
Now, at least, we bought him, we just can't dispose of him or boo him. We have to give him the support he needs. Good luck Swedish !
Now, at least, we bought him, we just can't dispose of him or boo him. We have to give him the support he needs. Good luck Swedish !
