It was a dull week as Italians do not bother working around the 15th of August, but Roma dominated the news in the last two days, announcing three extensions: Nicolò Zaniolo, Cengiz Under and Edin Dzeko. The first two were expected, as Zaniolo had been playing on a minimal contract after last summer’s move directly from Inter’s youth academy, and Under is a big part of the plan, while the third one came out of the blue since Dzeko has been long expected to move to Inter, but he will stick around instead, removing one end of the supposed strikers’ carousel.
After an underwhelming season, the Giallorossi cut bait on Steven N’Zonzi, who never quite got it going in Italy, who was shipped to Galatasaray on an initial season-long loan, but the Turkish club will have the option to either extend it or buy him outright, and added young defender Mert Cetin from Gencerbligi, who emerged last season at Genclerbiligi amassing 25 appearances, and will try to work his way up the ladder, as they are expected to sign a more established centre-back as well.
Lecce pulled off two quality acquisitions earlier in the week, as they finally convinced Diego Farias to join and put right back Andrea Rispoli under contract. Farias, whose rights belong to Cagliari, was terrific in the second half of last season at Empoli, notching four goals and four assists in 16 games, and will be a very valuable option as second-striker if Filippo Falco does perform at the same level in the top league. Rispoli was a free agent after Palermo was disbanded: while he appeared to lost a step in the most recent campaign, he scored six goals the last time he was in Serie A. He will alternate with fellow newcomer Romario Benzar.
Two under-the-radar purchases by Udinese and Sampdoria. The Bianconeri took advantage of Hannover’s relegation to poach midfielder Walace for cheap, who will increase the muscularity of their midfield, while the Blucerchiati signed Mehdi Leris from Chievo, who was pretty good last season and can be used in different positions. He will likely start off as box-to-box midfielder, but he could be deployed as right winger thanks to his technique, especially if they do not manage do bring in somebody else there soon.
Few young strikers have left Serie A: Udinese temporarily sent recently acquired Cristo Gonzalez to Huesca, Inter loaned Facundo Colidio to VV Sint-Truiden and sold Samuele Longo to Deportivo La Coruna.
Sign up to eurofantasyleague.com the game where football fans meet to compete.
To leave a comment, you must be logged into www.eurofantasyleague.com