Mercato Team (Ausilio, Marotta, & Co.) and Strategies

[CafeCordoba]

So, we sold Godin, Rano and Skriniar are on their way out. Who the fuck will play tomorrow? Bastoni - De Vrij - DDa i my guess, but we still need like 2 more defenders. If Kolarov is considered as LCB (which would be shit), and we get Darmian, we still need one more CB as De Vrij replacement.

Such a defensive downgrade tbh.

De Vrij is suspended so Bastoni will play CB, Kolarov will play LCB and D'Ambrosio will play RCB. That's the level we are at since we ousted Godin out and are about to monetize Skriniar too. Like I said in another thread, Bastoni/De Vrij out for few weeks and it's a fucking disaster. New guy won't have much time (any time) to get used to his team mates, he needs to hop in immediately. And deliver, no induction period.

This is why overhauling our defence sounds so incredible. We are risking quite a lot in my books. Milenkovic will cost a ton, hasn't played a single CL match, derby d'Italia match or has never carried the pressure of being an Inter player. And Milenkovic sounds like the best of the bunch mentioned here.

This is exactly like you said, a defensive downgrade.

 

[Il Drago]

De Vrij is suspended so Bastoni will play CB, Kolarov will play LCB and D'Ambrosio will play RCB. That's the level we are at since we ousted Godin out and are about to monetize Skriniar too. Like I said in another thread, Bastoni/De Vrij out for few weeks and it's a fucking disaster. New guy won't have much time (any time) to get used to his team mates, he needs to hop in immediately. And deliver, no induction period.

This is why overhauling our defence sounds so incredible. We are risking quite a lot in my books. Milenkovic will cost a ton, hasn't played a single CL match, derby d'Italia match or has never carried the pressure of being an Inter player. And Milenkovic sounds like the best of the bunch mentioned here.

This is exactly like you said, a defensive downgrade.

You should also add we decided to overhaul the best defence of the league which makes even less sense.

 

[brehme1989]

This is why overhauling our defence sounds so incredible. We are risking quite a lot in my books. Milenkovic will cost a ton, hasn't played a single CL match, derby d'Italia match or has never carried the pressure of being an Inter player.

The kid grew up playing at Partizan against Red Star. Not many Inter players have withstood such atmosphere and pressure honestly.

Hes is a player I liked for years but in no way I'd offload Skriniar and get this kid now.

 

[CafeCordoba]

I'm curious to see what is the plan here really. If they pull off something which works, that's great. If they sell Skriniar, can they replace him adequately AND buy Kante for instance? Because why do the overhaul at the first place if they don't plan to change stuff elsewhere then? These kind of moves of changing important pieces of the squad always carries a risk so the return needs to be higher.

 

[CafeCordoba]

The kid grew up playing at Partizan against Red Star. Not many Inter players have withstood such atmosphere and pressure honestly.

Hes is a player I liked for years but in no way I'd offload Skriniar and get this kid now.

Sure, it's still a different thing to withstand pressure of being Inter player week in week out. Under magnifying glass for 24/7 by the media. Pressure in this case includes all the spectrum, not just the match event. Even though that is important too and I'm not downplaying Milenkovic's mentality in that respect.

 

[Universe]

I'm curious to see what is the plan here really. If they pull off something which works, that's great. If they sell Skriniar, can they replace him adequately AND buy Kante for instance? Because why do the overhaul at the first place if they don't plan to change stuff elsewhere then? These kind of moves of changing important pieces of the squad always carries a risk so the return needs to be higher.

Indeed. The defensive overhaul is completely out of line with the rest of our approach which has been extremely risk-averse (hence discarding the young prospects like Tonali and Kumbulla in favor of tried and tested veterans like Vidal and Kolarov).

Who would even replace Skriniar at this point? The popular breakthrough name was of course Kumbulla, but it sounds like we made a conscious decision not to buy him. That leaves Milenkovic (who would cost literally double of Kumbulla) and is only 22 as well. He's neither good or reliable enough to warrant an entire reshuffling of our defence, let alone selling one of our crown jewels in Skriniar. And if money truly is an issue, we're in no position to buy him either.

Really, the only viable choice is Smalling. It absolutely blows my mind to write this, but it is as true as it is retarded. He's the perfect Conte player - over 30 with EPL experience. To be fair, he's also coming off a very good season. I must say though, the shortlist of names for that RCB position is preposterously short. My fear is that we sell Skriniar, only to end up with our dick in our hands, with D'Ambrosio and Darmian rotating that RCB position.

Our plan for midfield is equally confusing. Given the reports about training and the evidence seen in preseason, it does indeed sound like Conte has made a conscious decision not to build the team around Brozovic anymore. That's OK, but risky considering we have no replacement and the rest of the team is exactly the same.

This decision to sell Brozovic feels so unplanned as well. There's no real offer to speak of. This is not us receiving a genuine opportunity and taking it. This is just us deciding, once again, to ditch something important to us, with zero thought of what may come next, bar some distant, bullshit hope of signing Kante.

Once it becomes clear to Conte that Kante is unattainable, I am 100% expecting us to go for Bakayoko or some other spastic.

 

[Il Drago]

Indeed. The defensive overhaul is completely out of line with the rest of our approach which has been extremely risk-averse (hence discarding the young prospects like Tonali and Kumbulla in favor of tried and tested veterans like Vidal and Kolarov).

Who would even replace Skriniar at this point? The popular breakthrough name was of course Kumbulla, but it sounds like we made a conscious decision not to buy him. That leaves Milenkovic (who would cost literally double of Kumbulla) and is only 22 as well. He's neither good or reliable enough to warrant an entire reshuffling of our defence, let alone selling one of our crown jewels in Skriniar. And if money truly is an issue, we're in no position to buy him either.

Really, the only viable choice is Smalling. It absolutely blows my mind to write this, but it is as true as it is retarded. He's the perfect Conte player - over 30 with EPL experience. To be fair, he's also coming off a very good season. I must say though, the shortlist of names for that RCB position is preposterously short. My fear is that we sell Skriniar, only to end up with our dick in our hands, with D'Ambrosio and Darmian rotating that RCB position.

Our plan for midfield is equally confusing. Given the reports about training and the evidence seen in preseason, it does indeed sound like Conte has made a conscious decision not to build the team around Brozovic anymore. That's OK, but risky considering we have no replacement and the rest of the team is exactly the same.

This decision to sell Brozovic feels so unplanned as well. There's no real offer to speak of. This is not us receiving a genuine opportunity and taking it. This is just us deciding, once again, to ditch something important to us, with zero thought of what may come next, bar some distant, bullshit hope of signing Kante.

Once it becomes clear to Conte that Kante is unattainable, I am 100% expecting us to go for Bakayoko or some other spastic.

Rudiger on loan also fits the profile. Low cost, EPL and Serie A experience and an ex Conte player. Just perfect.

Bakayoko under Conte was a horror show. It would be insanity to bring him to Inter.

 

[MKSerbia]

I see confusion regarding this players and positions:

1) Pirola or Ranocchia to be in 6 CB's this next few months at least
2) Škriniar or his replacement for RCB spot
3) Brozović or his replacement in MF
4) Eriksen or his replacement in MF
4) Nainggolan or Vecino to be in 7 MF's this next few months at least.
5) Perišić or his replacement for LWB spot
6) Another attacker for 5 players in this area and also for total 25 players in the team. Probably someone who
can play both at central and wing positions upfront for eventual 3-4-3 formation.

 

[CafeCordoba]

All those correct except the 6th, I don't see 5th forward coming. I'd add that to defence to have 7 defenders. Darmian will be added to fill RWB spot.

Having Pirola and Kolarov in the rotation is a bit stretch in my mind. Since Bastoni will fill DV as CB when needed, then we need to have Kolarov or Pirola there. That feels a bit scary, is that line going to be working well. Bastoni leading it, something he never did last season.

 

[MKSerbia]

True, small chance is for 5th forward.
I don't see really possibility to have 7 defenders which their basic position is CB. Only if both Pirola and Ranocchia stay but that is highly unlikely.
I included only basic positions here. If not, yeah Darmian is also in 7 CB's just like D'Ambrosio and Kolarov are in 6 WB's or Perišić in 5 forwards.

 

[magnesium]

Out : Biraghi, Moses, Valero, Esposito, Agoume, Candreva, Godin.

In : Hakimi, Vidal, Nainggolan, Perisic, Pinamonti, Darmian, Kolarov.

Kolarov for Biraghi.

Perisic for Candreva.
Hakimi for Moses.
Vidal for Valero.
Nainggolan for Agoume.
Darmian for Godin.
Pinamonti for Esposito.

 

[nurko]

Out : Biraghi, Moses, Valero, Esposito, Agoume, Candreva, Godin.

In : Hakimi, Vidal, Nainggolan, Perisic, Pinamonti, Darmian, Kolarov.

Kolarov for Biraghi.

Perisic for Candreva.
Hakimi for Moses.
Vidal for Valero.
Nainggolan for Agoume.
Darmian for Godin.
Pinamonti for Esposito.

That seems pretty straightforward, however the salary summary is on the wrong side of zero so I don't think we can look at everything as simply.

 

[Luka]

From our defense last year, the best were De Vrij, Bastoni and Godin in last part of the season. It's not like we are selling the first two which would be worringsome, yet I see still the same armagedon prediction as usual from FIF. We are literally trying to better the team by selling the worst starting defender we had last season (Skriniar) and Godin who was not as great, besides last part of the season.

Also people with the same breath, lamenting that we lose Godin and his experience, but also complain that Conte wants to bring in experienced players, like Vidal to balance the squad. You can't make this shit up.

We are getting rid of Rano who was at the club only due to sentiment, Skriniar who fits our 3 men defense like... nothing and Godin who earns a lot and makes no sense to keep a player with such huge wages as a 5th choice in defense. What's so bad about it?

And "major overhaul" lol. Should I remind how big of an overhaul we did with Jose in his second season with Sneijder, Milito, Motta, Eto'o, Lucio, Pandev and we still won trippleta. All first team, crucial players for us. So, yes, team needs gelling up, but it's hella lot more important to have the best players for positions fitting the way the coach wants to play.

 

[n4l]

Skriniar played 2nd most minutes in defense last season (only a couple hundred short of deV). Just an FYI.

Usual FiF though. Extrapolate 3-4 games in EL as representative of the whole season .

 

[.h.]

honestly, Godin isnt value for money given his salary and age. I can understand why we've let him go - I'd much rather have a young RCB in his position who can grow into the role, than Godin who finally got to be OK but not great at RCB.

Esp, tbh, if we're playing Hakimi more. Godin was best IIRC paired up with dambro at RWB - with Hakimi at RWB that's a completely different proposition

 

[Il Drago]

Skriniar played 2nd most minutes in defense last season (only a couple hundred short of deV). Just an FYI.

Usual FiF though. Extrapolate 3-4 games in EL as representative of the whole season .

At a point Godin was even behind D'Ambrosio in the pecking order. He returned to the starting lineup only at the end of the season.

 

[n4l]

honestly, Godin isnt value for money given his salary and age. I can understand why we've let him go - I'd much rather have a young RCB in his position who can grow into the role, than Godin who finally got to be OK but not great at RCB.

Esp, tbh, if we're playing Hakimi more. Godin was best IIRC paired up with dambro at RWB - with Hakimi at RWB that's a completely different proposition

Are you trying to win serie A and trophies or just trying to maximie value for your dollar on a 'competitive' squad?

 

[wera]

You don't have to worry about the fifth striker. Eriksen, Perišić, Sensi and maybe even Young or Vidal can all be deployed behind a singular striker. I'm not saying that would be optimal, but it is a possibility. If nobody has a big dip in form, I think we are probably set in attack, at least for this season.

 

[.h.]

Are you trying to win serie A and trophies or just trying to maximie value for your dollar on a 'competitive' squad?

tbh, these things go hand in hand. We're struggling to challenge at the moment because we've got no money. The game 10, 20, or 30 years ago where you can build very competitive sides in an accelerated fashion are long gone. Salaries and transfer fees are too high nowadays, and that means we need to bring in enough revenue to compete with them.

Parts of that means being more intelligent and maximising value. There are only three main ways to increase revenue (in our control)- plusvalenza, sponsorship, and prize money.

It's sensible for us to try pull all of these levers at the same time. As I've posted about many times, the problem with high churn in our squad is that we need to spend a lot of money on amortisation - if we didnt have to worry about amortisation that'd free up like 40% of our annual budget.



Financials go hand in hand with being *CONSISTENTLY* competitive.

 

[SiamoNoi]

tbh, these things go hand in hand. We're struggling to challenge at the moment because we've got no money.

Thank god Sevilla have money.

Stop making excuses about lack of money.

Out problem was always doing dumb moves,not lack of money.

From our defense last year, the best were De Vrij, Bastoni and Godin in last part of the season. It's not like we are selling the first two which would be worringsome, yet I see still the same armagedon prediction as usual from FIF. We are literally trying to better the team by selling the worst starting defender we had last season (Skriniar) and Godin who was not as great, besides last part of the season.

And replacing them with worst players...Smalling probably and Darmian?!What's the point?