Is Zapata Worth a Prodigy?

By: Martha | January 8th, 2008

Zapata pwning Empoli Despite the rise of young players like Cristian Molinaro and Giorgio Chiellini, and resurgent old men like Nicola Legrottaglie, even the most passionate Juve supporters will agree the team could use a big time defender or two to shore things up at the back. And now, not surprisingly, they’re being associated with one of the most promising young ones in Italy: Udinese’s Christian Zapata.

According to today’s Corriere dello Sport, Juve are preparing a massive bid for the 21-year-old, offering a big sack of cash plus two promising youngsters. The paper claims the two will be chosen from a list of four players (though it doesn’t say who gets to make the choice): Claudio Marchisio, Antonio Nocerino, Michele Paolucci and — close your eyes, Juve supporters — Sebastian Giovinco. Noooooooo!

Just pretending there’s some truth to this for a second, what do you Juve nuts think? Zapata is a fantastic player who could help solidify your defense for years (and years, and years) to come, and he’ll be priced accordingly. Giovinco, however, is a stunning talent, capable of turning a game around with a single touch despite being a 12-year-old midget. Has he already shown enough to be untouchable, no matter the offer? Are there any circumstances under which you’d be willing to consider letting him go? (We already know JuveRoberto’s answer to this one.)

Continuing with the fantasy of this deal, just imagine Udine with Giovinco’s creativity added to their attack. Holy crap.

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Category: Juventus, Rumors & News, Serie A, Udinese

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Duck Manson

I don't see how this could ever happen. Juventus managment are high enoug on Giovinco to not sell him, but perhaps a joint ownership deal. If that's what they have in mind, then why do Udinese get two players? Juventus should get €5m and Zapata for half of Gionvinco. He's that talented. Can you imagine if Juve gave up the next great Italian player for a right-back from Colombia. What a complete wash.

I still think Juve can get Zapata and Barzagli without giving up Giovinco and Palladino. There's enough talent to offer around with 10-some talented young players to package in a deal with cash. With those two additions, Juve again have Serie As best defensive five. Easily.
sofia

ok so i cant even bring myself to reading the names listed above more than once so i am just going to say my piece and never look at this post again. i know the juve management is stupid but not this stupid which is why anyone with half a brain knows there is -0.0000000000000004343438947982374893274892% truth to this. i mean come on even an idiot like Bush (who probably has no idea who Juventus or Zapata is) knows this would be the most stupid idea ever. so thats it, its not happening.
roberto

You know how I feel about this M. But I'll say this again, Giovinco is just too good to be given up for anyone at the moment. Not to say Juve doesn't need defensive help 'at the moment', but what I wanted to say is that Giovinco is the player of the future, and any team would forego any current deficiencies in order to preserve his impact in the future. At least I hope they would.

But what I truly think we need right now is a veteran world class defender. Zapata, great talent. But we should focus our resources towards a Barzagli for example.