Football Italia: Season 7 – Record Season

Season Seven: Wrapping up a record season

Promotion secured. Serie C to Serie A in seven years isn’t too bad when you consider that I feel like I’ve been able to rebuild the club in the style that I want to, having a say over pretty much everything but also playing in a realistic manner to hand over a lot of the operational stuff.

From our team stats to our player stats, we’ve been simply sublime. Not reaching 100 points or 100 goals does feel like a bit of a missed chance but we’ve made so many improvements from last year, namely making ourselves really hard to beat. Again this year the top three go up with yo-yo side Cesena (Serie B playoffs, relegation, Serie C Champions, Serie B playoffs) ending strongly. Pisa, the third side relegated from Serie A could only muster ninth this season whilst Perugia, Sampdoria, Venezia and Bari went down. Lecce, now the largest sleeping giant left in here, finished a disappointing thirteenth.

I think that I’ve got this fairly spot on. There are a group of more expensive players who, probably, need some more minutes – Pisilli, Biagioni and Owusu and a quite small group of those higher earners who are probably not deserving of it but are useful to have in the squad – Patino and Floriani Mussolini. It could be much worse in that sense. The move to put Valenti as more of a backup is great because he’s earning such a little wage that this move doesn’t add to any financial strain. The players in the bottom right and not only key players but are playing well, too – which, potentially, leads to a difficult situation where they all realise they could be being paid more handsomely for the work they are doing. I envisage that the summer will contain several key conversations about this.

But, to be fair to them, most have the stats to back up their demands!

For reference – GA/90 is goals plus assists, xGA/90 is expected goals plus expected assists, Prog Act/90 is dribbles plus progressive passes and Def Actions/90 is possession won, tackles, headers and interceptions. The percentage is the percentile rank against all other Serie B outfield players.

I want to try and find something – not possession adjusted – that takes into account the sheer lack of defending that we do. Whilst Moraga is really progressive, none of them, Valenti – maybe – aside, are doing much defending and, therefore, sit in the bottom half of the percentile rankings. The wing back area is where I think we’ve won a lot more than we’ve lost – all of the players here are very strong in all areas of the game. Whilst the defensive wing backs, Carboni and Floriani Mussolini are actually performing really well offensively, the eye test suggest that the Portuguese duo are far more comfortable at doing the attacking work. Bellino has really shown his class this season and, despite being more of a creative Volante, hsa chipped in with a whole load of defensive work, too. All of my attacking six have scored and assisted really heavily this season, which has alleviated the burden from just a single striker, which I don’t really use. What is really interesting though is the difference in progressive play between the three, Owusu, Vinci, Maldini and Colidio, despite all playing in the same roles. I’d almost suggest – and this is vindicated by what I see – he drops deeper and then can progress better, plus, playing on the right, he’s had a much more offensive wing back in the second half of the season.

With pretty much everyone living up to my Serie B expectations, I need to look at where the whole squad is going ready for next year:

Goalkeepers

•   Matteo Esposito – Matteo is the club number one but is heading into the final year of his contract. With us since Serie C and absolutely deserving at a chance of playing top flight football, I hope to be able to keep him around but fear that his demands may be significantly higher than I actually want to offer, simply because he knows his importance to the club.
•   Mateo Moro – also entering the final twelve months of his deal, I hope that the Argentine will be happy to renew as a backup player. Called upon for just one game, before, despite looking sharp, dropping back down, he’s under little threat as my backup option.
•   Luca Palazzolo – I think that Luca has a really bright future here and would like to see him get some minutes in the first team in a Serie C or Serie D club next year. I see no factors that are necessarily stopping his movement through the ranks and will really hone in on his development once he comes back with minutes under his belt.
•  Riccardo Mannu – certainly the weakest of my keepers and will probably remain in the U18 squad, especially if Palazzolo moves out on loan. His determination is surely going to hold him back but I do have to question the time it would take to mentor and develop him to a level that would really be useful for us, either for profitable income or first team commitments.
•  Alberto Pellini – lacks ambition but may be thrust into the U20 squad at just sixteen given his recent development and him probably being better than Mannu, who is a year his senior. Possibly too early to tell whether he has a future, especially given his slight stature for a keeper.

Centre Backs

•  Mattia Viti – love the lad! He’s slotted in perfectly to the backline and will hopefully be around for a long time to come. Only accrued 0.45xG this half-season so I might need to look at other ways to get him, among the generally tall defence, involved in more offensive opportunities.
•  Pau Cubarsi – simply a top, top player with a value that now reflects that. With interest from Saudi Arabia, will surely be pestering me for a new deal at some point soon. Has, interestly, only a 60% header win ratio this season but, at just under 80%, is strong in the tackle and progresses the ball well. I want him around long term.
•  Wisdom Amey – the last of the trio. Recently signed a new deal making him the highest earner but I imagine that it’ll get usurped over the summer window. Such a physical beast and his purpose in the team is unlike any other – solely a retriever, whether from aerial battles or just an influence that scares attackers. If he wanted to move on, we’d surely need to look at the entire defensive shape, such is his importance.
•  Luca Valenti – it’s a blessing to have a player this strong as a backup. At 32, he’s not going to be here forever but is a wonderful option to sure things up and I have no reservations about dropping him into the first team in case of an injury. He is entering the last twelve months of his deal and I just hope that he doesn’t want to – like any one would – have a last couple of years of real first team football before his legs go. If that’s the case, we just can’t offer that.
•  Mario Moraga – For fifth choice, he’s clearly among the best at this level and I hope that he can mature and continue to offer something at Serie A level, too. Wouldn’t see an issue with moving him into the first team if Cubarsi left or, even, if Amey moved on, given how physical he is. Also a threat from long throws that we just haven’t utilised yet.
•  Franco Gotti – almost certain to drop down to the very low levels of Italian football. Scored six goals in the fifth tier but will only get away with that due to his height. Already agreed to be released at the end of his youth contract this summer.
•  Lorenzo Grillo – been at Eccellenza side Palmese this season and has not really impressed. With a year to go on his contract, I do worry whether he’s got enough about him to make it at a level about semi-pro.
•  Josep Colell – A lot to like about him but also a lot of development left to come for him to achieve it. The ex Damn player does lack a bit of physicality to play in the backline and the technical ability to play any further forward. Will likely move out on loan next year to see the impact that first team football has on his development.
•  Babacar Fall – I’m really torn on this one! I really wanted him to stay and come good but the loan at Rudes has probably found his ceiling. He’s two footed and an international, which is no mean feet from a then Serie C academy but I just don’t see enough about him to justify a first team spot, which is what he agent wants. With no deadlock broken in contract talks, he’s likely to walk away on a free transfer. I will wish him the best, though.
•  Massimiliano Panzeri – was here to make up some numbers but put in some impressive figures in youth football as a wide centre back, despite being tiny. He’ll be off at the end of this season when his contract expires.
•  David Girard – a bit of a gem coming through from last year’s intake. Made some steady improvements over the course of the year and maybe ready for first team football at a lower level this time out. I’d consider moving to Serie D initially as, physically, he’s ok for his age but lacks a bit in the technical department, where he’d be found out any higher.
•  Ciro Del Prete – tough in the tackle but unlikely to offer any more. Will get another year in the U18 squad to prove that he has the ability to get better as has flatlined across the year.
•  Matteo Colzi – lacking a lot technically but could work in the Amey-mould. He’s got a long development plan ahead of him so happy to see where it takes him! For now though, he’ll need to get his head down and work hard in the U18 squad.

Wing Backs

•   Romano Floriani Mussolini – my traditional right wing back. Absolutely deserves a shot at Serie A after nearly 170 games with us but maybe lacking in the quality to be any more than a bit part player now that we’re there. Could also be a centre back but lacking in the aerial ability, if I’m honest. Also, a very high earner in comparison with the quality he has but happy to keep him around as I doubt there’ll be much interest given that.
•   Franco Carboni – really strong start to his time with us and I envisage that he’ll go from strength to strength as his time goes on. Nearly learnt his trait already, which suggests he’s quite versatile to the role I’m trying to develop him into.
•   Mateus Fernandes – seamless transition and really quick adaption to the wing back role, that clearly he’d played before. Racked up six assists in half a season and became first choice here. Certainly a player to build around.
•   Pedro Santos – there’s nothing better than turning a third choice midfielder into a 20-goal contribution left wing back in the space of twelve months. Pedro has been a dream to manage, never complaining and always taking on board what I’ve asked and it’s now showing as he’s an integral part of the club. I love him!
•   Eloi Aspar – deemed to have a load of potential but really seems to be a jack of all trades and a master of none. Hasn’t really kicked on in terms of his development over the season, since moving from Damn. However, his value could present a strong bit of profit for the club, which I may look to utilise.
•  Federico Migliori – a gem out of our youth team and, hopefully, the long term option for Carboni on the left.He’s not quite attacking enough to be anything more than a rotational option but has enjoyed a strong year out on loan in Serie C and will likely be a candidate to head to Croatia next year.
•   Leonardo Valenti – a solid loan to sell here. Came in on a free from Inter and shipped out on loan but retains a high transfer value, which I’m hoping to cash in on over the summer. Far too far down the pecking order for his age.
•   Luca De Cicco – made a really smooth transition to the right wing back slot, where I’m hoping he can add some to his all around game. He’s got a lot of potential but nothing really stands out for me – so I’ll keep a close eye on him.
•   Mirko Fucilli – similarly to Fall, I’m about to lose him for free. I really hoped that he’d kick on but now, in his fourth loan away from the club, he really hasn’t. My top priority for those that do not make the grade here is to ensure that they are good enough to be sold on, and I’ve failed on that area simply because I’ve not wanted to meet his contract demands. Something to learn from!
•   Alessandro Cassano – part of a wing back project that looks very unlikely to come off! Another year left on his deal but may just be out of the door to give playing time to someone else next year.
•   Giuseppe Cassano – no relation to Alessandro and has kicked on loads side a move to Palmese. Still very weak mentally and may just stay with the Palmi based club for another year for further assessment. I do quite like him as a wing back though – just needs to fill those holes. Again, maybe I should’ve been stricter on him at a younger age, discounting this potential growth streak now.
•   Francesco Sacchetti – going to be turning him into a wrong-footed wing back but most interested about his realist personality (low sportsmanship), traits of winding others up and then his complete lack of bravery! I think he could become quite a nice option if I can get this development plan right and forms part of a midfield four in the U18 team that I have really high hopes for.

 

6s

•   Charlie Patino – going into the last year of his deal with some quite strong MLS interest means I need to get the most out of Patino – in this case, transferring his traits – before it is too late. A really strong backup option but nowhere near good enough to really claim a stake for a first teamer. He’s a good lad to have around but I feel that we’ll have definitely outgrown him in twelve to eighteen months time.
•   Filippo Bellino – found that competition from Pisilli really pushed him on this year, recording a career high sixteen goal contributions. Still one of my favourite players across 175 games for us as I’ve developed and moulded him into pretty much the exact player I want. He is, however, also going into the final year of his deal and I feel that the money promises of Serie A may push his demands to the limit of what I can, and want to, offer.
•   Jacopo Lucenti – also entering the last twelve months of his deal, Lucenti represents the biggest jewel from our youth production line in recent years. Retrained from an attacking midfielder and mouled to perfectly start our build ups. Eight contributions is up from last year but he missed a chunk of football this year as he is seemingly getting more injuries than in the previous seasons; I’m hoping that 225 games at just 23 years old is not linked to this.
•   Nicolo Pisilli – with each of the four first team midfielders in the last twelve months, I think that this season is important for Nicolo. Brought in, at first, as a backup but a has since turned into a really strong rotation option, I do worry that he’ll want to go somewhere to be a key cog in their system but I hope that the glitz and glamour of the top flight in Sicily is enough to hold him here.
•   Davide Tedesco – was in the same intake as Fucilli and Fall and is ending up in the same boat, leaving on a free. I had really high hopes but wasn’t able to hold down a role in the team even in Croatia so certainly not enough to move on here.
•   Roberto Arana – I just can’t quite decide what the ex-Sociedad midfielder wants to be. Not physical enough for a true ball winner profile but not creative enough for a Volante or playmaker. Enjoyed a great season at Palmese and I think that a loan to secure a strong market value will probably come next year before I move him on for good. Nothing against him, but really doesn’t have enough to make the first team here.
•   Boubacar Guindo – a player that I have really high hopes for. Whilst he’s in the U20 team, he’s training with the first team squad in order to be mentored by Lucenti and Patino, who will hopefully pass some of those early transitional traits on to him. I love his height and the fact he’s really strong on either foot, meaning he can use his body to spread play to either side of the pitch. Watching him in some of the minutes he’s had this season, he just floats around but is also then really physical when faced with an opportunity to win the ball back.
•   Henri Njoh  – I think he’s a really promising youngster in the same mould as Guindo, Patino and Lucenti. Not quite as tall, nor as physically able yet, he’ll be developed into a ball playing central midfielder and I’m quite excited about him.
•   Edoardo Vitari – I think he’s got Volante written all over him! Currently a lot of single figure attributes that’ll look much stronger when they reach ten but, for 15, already supremely technical, which will surely help as he ages.
•   Luke Chester – he’s that destructive ball carrier that I wanted! Not quite there with the dribbling yet but tenacious, brave and determined with an elite engine and hopefully willing to develop himself technically. I gave him his debut at a really young age and he’s currently the diamond within our academy system. I’ve got really high hopes!

 

Second Strikers

•   Ali Owusu – absolutely phenomenal at Serie C but tailing off now and will certainly not be good enough for a first team spot in Serie A. However, there’s no denying that 97 goals from a 22-year old is fantastic and his move to a second striker has reinvented some of that, bringing with it the confidence that he seemingly lacked over the last eighteen months. I’d still consider him a project, which is mad given his experience within the team and I have no intention of letting him leave.
•   Riccardo Vinci – I have loved his arrogance! Demanding to sign as a squad player at just seventeen, then going out and having a decent loan spell, but only scoring once at Catanzaro, he’s then netted 29 times in two seasons for us and his one of our strongest players. Could still be refined a little bit but will be an important member of the team going forward – despite the fact that I need to sign a couple of new players for this role over the summer.
•   Adama Kouakou – kicked on well at Palmese but I do fear that he’s just not developed enough technically for me to consider him a real prospect for us. With twelve months left on his deal, it may be a case of renewing, sending him out again with the intention of increasing his value ready for a potential sale next summer.
•   Giampietro Rinaldi – showing very little and will be lucky to make it through the summer!
•   Babacar N’Diaye – quite an interesting proposition! Not entirely sure whether I see him as a False Nine or a Second Striker yet but will be developed in the most rounded way possible before I make that call.
•   Souleymane Traore – has really impressed me stepping into the first team at the end of the season but I don’t feel that he’s ready to become a fully fledged member, yet. The height, pace and dribbling ability make him a pleasure to watch but I think he needs proper first team football at a club where he can torment defences. That may mean he’s playing lower than his ability suggests he should but I think it’ll do his confidence wonders.
•   Emiliano Farris – scored really well for the U20 side due to his ability to dribble the ball. With an expiring contract and some Serie C interest, it’ll probably be the end of his time here.
•   Umberto Micheletti – just arrived through the academy system and I like him. Works hard, which is something that not all of my second strikers can do and is already decent physically and mentally. Like a lot of my players, will need some thorough technical work over the next few years but I think there is a chance he could be decent.
•   Alberto Niccolini – absolutely blown up since being out on loan, showing that, even though the level isn’t as good as he could play at, he’s getting first team minutes and that is what counts. Probably not quite well rounded enough to make it with us but a strong physical frame means he’s always going to be a threat, especially running at tired legs late in games. Will get another period of time out on loan and be re-assessed.

 

10s

•   Bruno Zapelli – I was, honestly, not expecting this level of impact from the new signing. Seventeen goal contributions and a pretty integral part of the team, he deserves a shot at Serie A and I think he’ll do pretty well. There are, maybe, a couple of traits I’d like to explore adding to his game, but, at 28, he’s less inclined to want to learn them. We’ll see.
•   Marco Biagioni – a perfectly able backup or rotational option here. Twelve goal contributions and some strong showings.
•   Guille Fuentes – actually looks really solid now I look again and has obviously developed nicely whilst in Croatia. Will likely spend another season there to get the most out of him before I re-asses next summer.
•   Demetrio Mirabelli – I was impressed with him on youth intake day given his ability from dead balls. He’s now played a few first team minutes and I still really like him. I would like to develop some traits to get the most of his touch, technique and long shots but think a loan deal is the best bet first up.
•   Daniele Caputo – I kept him on for his pace but he’s done nothing at all. Will be gone at the end of his contract in the summer.
•   Carlo Conti – moving to a False Nine due to the traits, first touch and technique but I’m concerned that he simply cannot make a simple pass! Hopefully his driven nature pushes him on to develop the best he can.

With this relatively settled squad requiring a little bit of trimming, some strengthening and a lot of contract renewing, I need to look and see just what I have got to spend. With €15m given to me and about €130k free wage budget, I could go mad. But I probably won’t. I envisage that at least 50% of the free wage budget will be taken on renewals from the current squad, wanting a piece of the Serie A paycheck action.

With the takeover last summer providing a cash injection of €50m, I knew I’d lose some money from tax, alone, but, in just twelve months – we’ve devoured over half of what was given to us and, honestly, I don’t see these men as the front end sugar daddies who are going to keep topping it up. Our expenditures can be seen here:

With a net transfer spend of €1.5m not including the €2.4m we spent on loan fees, I don’t realistically think we could’ve done much better here. Our bonuses have significantly impacted our figures. One of the impacts of the Colidio loan was, despite a low weekly wage contribution, his bonuses stayed significantly above what I pay everyone else but the counter argument is that I can’t confidently say we’d have been promoted without those goals.

Next year, 18th placed nets me €1.07m and, I imagine, a whole host of TV money. I’ll certainly be cautious next season but there is a chance I might slip into the red, despite an increase in match day income. Tycoon or not, we’re still going to have to be very careful!

– – –

I am really looking forward to the off-season, seeing how I can strengthen, specifically with my 3 non-EU slots that now open up. It’s going to be a fun one!

Forza Biancoscudati!