I really think we should have a new thread. It is a new day. If people disagree, just merge.
Just to get the ball rolling, here are my preferences, I think.
Needs: Nothing major, unless we sell/let go current stars. I am assuming that Pirlo leaves and Tevez stays. I am also assuming that Pogba stays another season to star in a known environment leading up to the EURO 16 in France.
Desirable:
Goal: Backup for Buffon. If he has his mind set on trying for another WC, there is no point in looking for a genuine starter option until the wheels start falling off. In such a scenario we should just keep on keeping tabs on young guys and as Storari seems like he would like to continue with us, we should probably let him.
Upgrades/future options at the wingbacks - I think this is our biggest weakness, especially as we don't have anyone to really challenge D's from out wide. We need some guys who can offer offensive help on the fullbacks when we are being stiffled down the middle.
Baba from Augsburg apparently is targeted for RB - he seems promising. I would also like Rafael from United who is likely to be let go. Injury problems there, but he is 24 years old and a real difference maker when healthy. If we can sell Caceres and Isla, that could pay most of such a RB move, unless the club decides to be in on Darmian. I think the costs there will be prohibitive, also compared to his quality - which is quite high, but he is also overrated IMO because he is one of the only good Italians in circulation. If we cannot sell Caceres though, then really there is little reason to make a move for RB.
On the left back.... Evra looks set for another season and Asamoah is likely going to be converted to LB often given our options for the midfield. If that is the case, we can probably wait to address this position for a year, as otherwise we simply clutter the roster. If we could spot a great young LB talent to sign and loan out, that would make very good sense though.
Central defense: Would really like Rugani to join, but it depends also on how much playing time would be accorded him. If we keep on playing 4-3-1-2 or 4-3-3, I doubt there would be much space for more than 4 CD's and in that case we should probably have to sell one before taking Rugani in makes sense. Ogbonna is of course the most likely candidate. Selling him now would however guarantee a significant loss, and I don't think he is without hope for the future. Anyway...
Midfield: Nothing is "needed". A trequartista would be nice, but as things are gearing up, we will likely be in a situation where we will often use a striker/forward there. Both to keep players happy and because it could be explosive. No point in acquiring a trequartista to make expensive strikers sulk on the bench. I like the idea of Khedira joining on a free. With Pogba, Vidal, Marchisio, Sturaro, Pereyra and Asamoah, that should be well and truly enough. And of course Padoin will be an inferior but useful option, as that trusted "where do you need me, coach?" kind of player, that Gianlucca Pessotto personified. Marrone.... well, he likely lost too much time to ever be what was hoped. Pawn to be used, I'm afraid.
Forwards: Tevez, Morata, Dybala, Berardi, Zaza? Kinda monstrous, really. Perhaps one should be loaned somewhere else to insure playing time, something that will in all probability happen with Coman - and as much as I'd have liked it if we could grow him ourselves... well, we don't have a
Juve B in serieB like Barca, Bayern etc. etc. do - nor a star studded reserve league like in England.
Matri could stay as a 5th choice if it makes financial sense and for instance Berardi is kept at Sassuolo on loan. Llorente should be sold for as much as we can get.
Just to get the ball rolling, here are my preferences, I think.
Needs: Nothing major, unless we sell/let go current stars. I am assuming that Pirlo leaves and Tevez stays. I am also assuming that Pogba stays another season to star in a known environment leading up to the EURO 16 in France.
Desirable:
Goal: Backup for Buffon. If he has his mind set on trying for another WC, there is no point in looking for a genuine starter option until the wheels start falling off. In such a scenario we should just keep on keeping tabs on young guys and as Storari seems like he would like to continue with us, we should probably let him.
Upgrades/future options at the wingbacks - I think this is our biggest weakness, especially as we don't have anyone to really challenge D's from out wide. We need some guys who can offer offensive help on the fullbacks when we are being stiffled down the middle.
Baba from Augsburg apparently is targeted for RB - he seems promising. I would also like Rafael from United who is likely to be let go. Injury problems there, but he is 24 years old and a real difference maker when healthy. If we can sell Caceres and Isla, that could pay most of such a RB move, unless the club decides to be in on Darmian. I think the costs there will be prohibitive, also compared to his quality - which is quite high, but he is also overrated IMO because he is one of the only good Italians in circulation. If we cannot sell Caceres though, then really there is little reason to make a move for RB.
On the left back.... Evra looks set for another season and Asamoah is likely going to be converted to LB often given our options for the midfield. If that is the case, we can probably wait to address this position for a year, as otherwise we simply clutter the roster. If we could spot a great young LB talent to sign and loan out, that would make very good sense though.
Central defense: Would really like Rugani to join, but it depends also on how much playing time would be accorded him. If we keep on playing 4-3-1-2 or 4-3-3, I doubt there would be much space for more than 4 CD's and in that case we should probably have to sell one before taking Rugani in makes sense. Ogbonna is of course the most likely candidate. Selling him now would however guarantee a significant loss, and I don't think he is without hope for the future. Anyway...
Midfield: Nothing is "needed". A trequartista would be nice, but as things are gearing up, we will likely be in a situation where we will often use a striker/forward there. Both to keep players happy and because it could be explosive. No point in acquiring a trequartista to make expensive strikers sulk on the bench. I like the idea of Khedira joining on a free. With Pogba, Vidal, Marchisio, Sturaro, Pereyra and Asamoah, that should be well and truly enough. And of course Padoin will be an inferior but useful option, as that trusted "where do you need me, coach?" kind of player, that Gianlucca Pessotto personified. Marrone.... well, he likely lost too much time to ever be what was hoped. Pawn to be used, I'm afraid.
Forwards: Tevez, Morata, Dybala, Berardi, Zaza? Kinda monstrous, really. Perhaps one should be loaned somewhere else to insure playing time, something that will in all probability happen with Coman - and as much as I'd have liked it if we could grow him ourselves... well, we don't have a
Juve B in serieB like Barca, Bayern etc. etc. do - nor a star studded reserve league like in England.
Matri could stay as a 5th choice if it makes financial sense and for instance Berardi is kept at Sassuolo on loan. Llorente should be sold for as much as we can get.