Speaking of the Azzurrini …
By: Martha | July 9th, 2007
Even though he’s wanted by clubs far and wide, Giampaolo Pazzini yesterday assured a Fiorentina news site that he has no intention of playing for anyone except for the Viola — at least not any time soon.
Trapped at the opening of teammate Dario Dainelli’s restaurant (and therefore quote possibly a sheet or four to the wind), Pazzini told fierenzeviola.it that he’s just returned from vacation (With Luca Toni, no less!), and plans to meet with the club and sign a new contract very shortly. Unusually for a highly regarded footballer, he failed to equivocate even a tiny bit — Not a single “but in football, you never know” in the whole interview! — and instead listed the odds of his remaining in Florence at a very impressive 110%.
Regarding which out-and-out striker Pazzini will play alongside in the Viola attack, it’s being speculated around Florence that, now that Valeri Bojinov, is gone, the club are eying a pair of big-name players (with, one assumes, equally large price tags): How do Adriano and Alberto Gilardino strike you? Seriously, at least one paper actually said that. Of course, it also says those are the dream replacements, and that perhaps Giuseppe Rossi (AKA Red) and the ever-present Rolando Bianchi (AKA White Men) are more reasonable targets. Actually, more people seem to want Rossi and Bianchi than Adriano and Gila — maybe those two big cheeses will turn out to be the bargain buys of the summer …
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Honestly, I’d put the odds of Fiorentina landing Gilardino a lot higher than most people think. Especially if they get good money from the Bojinov sale (which I don’t really understand at this point - he’s 21, who did they expect him to be right now?). I remember reading interviews with Prandelli last fall where he said the one guy he wants is Gila. It wouldn’t be completely ludcrous to think Gila would want the same as well, considering the ridiculous success he had under Prandelli at Parma and Milan’s not-so-subtle pleas for any world class striker to join them his summer. I honestly think it might happen.
Also, just an observation: Have you been to any other websites besides firenzeviola.it in the last week?
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United States
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Nope, nothing else. My computer for some reason can’t connection to any other sites.
And from what I can tell Bojinov is demanding a starting spot, and has been pretty inconsistent since making the move — if they can get €10-15 million for him, that’d certainly help make the sale worth it.
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Here’s the important thing with Bojinov - Fiorentina is playing this very shrewdly. They gave him the option of signing a longer term deal or being sold. He has one year left on his current contract, and can leave on a free transfer at the end of this contract (it is that Bosman rule - which he can take advantage of at a young age since he’s been playing in Italy since he was 15).
So, if Fiorentina want to get anything for him, they have to sell him now. And seeing as how he won’t be happy unless he’s regularly in the first team, which seems unlikely, they should go ahead and unload him now.
Chris you are right to say that maybe the expectations are a little high for Bojinov, but he’s been around for quite a long while and has had an unimpressive scoring record to say the least, at least when compared to Pazzini and Mutu, and I think that Fiorentina have Lupoli rated higher than him. Combine all that with this mystery new striker on the way in (God I hope it is not Adriano), and he’s “surplus to requirements” as the Brits would say.
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United States -
Ahh, I didn’t know that about his contract. I’ve always felt that athletes who are brought in too early should often be given more time to play out. The mental effect of playing at an age like 15 can often have negative effects on his develepmont (i.e. major ego issues resulting in lack of nurturing skills). If his contract is running out and they can get Torino or someone to move that 9m offer up a skosh, then by all means do it.
That young, ridiculously talented striker depth in Firenze is dwindling quickly. First Reginaldo, now Bojinov - not to mention Toni. They need to install a revolving door in the Viola locker room.
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United States -
Please avoid mentioning the Reginaldo departure here again. Thank you.
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Portugal -
Yeah, I’m in agreement Chris. I didn’t think they needed to make so many changes to the squad. I could support letting Luca move on to get his money, and adding a handful of players to get ready for the increase in competitive matches next year, but I’m starting to fear too much overhaul.
Hell, they’ve been good enough to qualify for the Champions League 2 years running, a few reinforcements/upgrades should have done the trick.
I just think that Della Valle and Corvino had been planning some major transfer market activity for last summer and had to drop out due to the scandals. So now they are a bit overzealous because of the fact that they actually have the cash to flash, and a team on the rise to attract players to.
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United States -
Not only shouldn’t they have made so many changes, but I think the front 3rd was the absolute last place it was needed (along with Frey). Out of Lupoli, Bojinov and Pazzini at least one will be an absolute stud - likely two. I think the midfield should’ve had a little more focus. I’ve always felt Liverani wasn’t good enough, of course that might be the ex-Laziale version of him I’m referring to.
Think they’d want Pizarro? I’m selling. Roma may not be, but I am.
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Yeah, I agree that Liverani was one of the spots prime for an upgrade. They tried to get Sissoko from Liverpool but he wanted an incredible amount in salary.
Speaking of Pizzaro, you can keep him. We have Montolivo to be the playmaker. I would have really liked to see Sissoko, Fiorentina need someone who is willing to do the dirty work, recover and hold onto the ball. Pizzaro is not exactly this type of player.
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United States -
Fiorentina could’ve had the poor man’s Momo Sissoko in Ahmed Barusso. Especially considering they probably could’ve offered more playing time, but I do agree about need a midfield destroyer. When I watched last season it seemed like there was a gap between the midfield and the back four which was easily penetrated by the opposition. Teams could transition too easily from midfield to the front of the box or the flanks. Luckily Frey showed unbelievable reflexes. A ball-winning savage would be ideal.
And I didn’t ask if you needed Pizarro, will you just take him? I don’t want him.
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United States -
I almost said something about this earlier because I knew there was interest way back when but I decided to keep my mouth shut. Nice job, me. Guess who’s got his big mug on the front page of il Romanista as Roma’s new number one target? Valeri Bojinov
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United States -
God, of course he is. Bojinov and Rossi are going to be the next two two names linked with every club until they sign somewhere.
Posted from
Portugal
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