The Transfer Window: Five That Got Away
Serie A Weekly welcomes the return of occasional contributor Michael Moruzzi of the excellent Regista Blog.
Italian clubs have an enviable record in terms of scouting and acquiring talent from across the globe, but not everyone fulfils their potential in Serie A. It might be that a player has the wrong coach, or finds himself in a squad with too many similar players. Whatever the reason, history suggests the careful shopper can occasionally pick up a bargain during the Serie A sales. Take a look at these five steals that must have had other managers drooling with envy.
Marco Simone: AC Milan to PSG (£1m)
A finer example of a bargain you’ll struggle to find. A player of proven quality with over 240 appearances for Milan, but with George Weah and Oliver Bierhoff acquired to lead the attack, Simone moved on. PSG snapped up his services for the 1998/99 season, and his 22 goals (including this beauty in Le Classique) helped them to win both the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue. He then moved to Monaco where he continued his goal scoring, helping them to the league title in 2000. Any of Europe’s major clubs searching for a goal scorer this summer would be pinching themselves if they pulled off a transfer of comparable value for money.
Roberto Carlos: Inter to Real Madrid (£5m)
Roy Hodgson, look away now. Why did Inter let one of the definitive players of the modern era out of their grasp? Here’s Roberto’s own explanation: “My problem at Inter was Roy Hodgson. He wanted me to play as a forward when I’m a defender – I prefer to have space ahead of me to run into”. It would appear Carlos was a better judge of his most effective attributes than his former manager. Four La Liga titles, three European Cups, a World Cup, and numerous other titles followed. Carlos was the blueprint for all attacking fullbacks to try and emulate, and his sale will always haunt the Nerazzuri.
Patrick Viera: AC Milan to Arsenal (£3.5m)
One of the finest central midfielders of his generation, Viera epitomised the athleticism and power of the modern Premier League, but as a young pro he failed to make an impression on Milan. Arsenal acquired his services for a pittance and Viera became integral to the success that followed, but not everyone was impressed. This was the early days of Wenger’s Arsenal revolution, and some were sceptical of his transfer policy. I’m reminded of an anecdote from one Arsenal fan who overheard a fellow supporter, questioning, “Why are we signing players from Milan’s reserve team, when we could have got Jason McAteer?” Indeed.
Dennis Bergkamp: Inter to Arsenal (£8m)
In 1996 the fee Arsenal paid for Bergkamp wouldn’t have been regarded as a bargain, if anything it might have been seen as a bit of a punt. Bergkamp was a player that everyone knew; having initially emerged as Holland’s greatest attacking product since Van Basten and Gullit, he had endured a miserable two seasons at Inter and looked a shadow of himself. Also, this was pre-Wenger Arsenal. They remained one of England’s better clubs throughout the 90’s, but their European profile wasn’t what it is today. Bruce Rioch clearly did an excellent job of making Bergkamp feel wanted again, and Bergkamp’s feet did the rest. How the rest of Europe’s elite must have been kicking themselves.
Gianfranco Zola – Parma to Chelsea (£5.5m)
We could hardly overlook the little Sardinian. The fact that Zola was voted Chelsea’s greatest player of all time is all you need to know about the success of this transfer, an absolute steal for the Blues. Zola had already proved his talents in Serie A, but didn’t fit with the plans of new Parma boss Carlo Ancelloti. You’d have thought Italy’s better clubs would be queuing up to sign him, but the best offer came from Chelsea, and Zola was off to join his countrymen Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Di Matteo at Stamford Bridge. Over 300 appearances for Chelsea followed, full of magical goals and touches, including the decisive strike in Chelsea’s 97/98 Cup Winners Cup final victory, which remains the club’s last European honour.
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