Is Lucas Moura a fit for Inter?

The quick answer is yes, Lucas would be a fit for any team. But, as we all know in Italy clubs don't just have 30m Pounds to throw at players these days. So I figure we should analyse whether or not Lucas Moura, a boy on the verge of his twentieth birthday is worth this kind of money to Inter.

Lucas Moura (Sao Paulo)

First we'll need to figure out where Lucas fits in the formation. We saw during the Trofeo TIM, which Inter won for the eighth time in its twelve year existence, that Andrea Stramaccionni went with a 4-2-3-1 formation. In other words an ideal formation for the attacking midfielder/winger. But, if we look at the options Stramaccioni has at his disposal the addition of Lucas and the upwards of 30m Pound  price tag that goes with him certainly seems excessive, but when have we ever known Massimo Moratti to not be excessive?

Massimo Moratti (Inter)

Needless to say, Inter do not need Lucas Moura right now. They do not need his price tag. they should focus on bringing in some young Italian talent rather than Lucas at this time. This is a perfect year to do so. The Europa league does not matter to most teams, but if they happen to stumble upon the latter stages of the tournament then they will surely start to play their 'A' squad, the same goes for the Coppa Italia. Andrea Strammaccioni was promoted from youth squad manger to the senior team surely he thinks there has to be more than just Coutinho in the ranks.

Andrea Stramaccioni (Inter)

Moratti continues to spill his guts to the media on his desire for Lucas even though Sao Paulo has already poked fun at Inter's offers and financial situation. Here's a quote from Sao Paulo's director of football Joao Paulo de Jesus Lopes.

'There is no (formal) offer and, even if it were to appear, the amount is ridiculous. How can you pay 25m Euro for a player of Lucas's quality? Italian football is broke - the club (Inter) are broke. It seems they are creating this to satisfy the fans.'

You know, times are tough when a Brazilian team is mocking your finances, but its true. Inter needs to make some sales before they are able to purchases anyone else of significance. After the purchases of Samir Handanovic, Rodrigo Palacio, and Freddy Guarin, which cost them roughly 35m Euro, there is not much left. They bought Gaby Mudingayi and loaned Matias Silvestre since then, both moves that just scream we have no money left.

Freddy Guarin (Inter)

Giampaolo Pazzini seems to be on his way out after Strammaccioni declared him to be spare parts and Diego Milito will be his first option, so maybe some money to be made there, but other than that I am not sure where Inter are going to muster up the 30m plus Pounds for Lucas Moura.

Giampaolo Pazzini (Inter)

Fact is they need to focus on getting themselves back to respectability before dishing out 30m pounds on a player. Inter's main goal should be getting back to the Champions League this season and with their current squad they have a chance at that. New signing Rodrigo Palacio seems to be set to play the right wing anyway. so why spend the money on him only to bring in someone who will kick him to the bench?

Rodrigo Palacio (Inter)

It's nice to believe that Inter still have a chance at the 19-year-old wonder kid, and he would be a heck of a player in the Serie A, but Inter should be OK without him. It seems as though his price tag is too high even for Manchester United so there will be a chance to make a run at him again next summer. For now the Nerrazzurri need to focus on Serie A and posing a serious threat to Juventus.

Lucas Moura (Brazil)

This argument may come to the forefront as the Olympics start this week and Lucas will feature heavily in the Brazil squad. Should be a great chance for all of us to see what all the fuss is about.

Welcome to Zemanlandia!

Roma players have had a rude awakening to the 2012-13 season. The words of new coach Zdenek Zeman tell us just that.

"We are halfway through pre-season and the lads aren't completely accustomed to my methods yet. They have suffered a bit, but you have to learn to suffer in football. I'm pleased with the progress we've made so far."

Zdenek Zeman - New Roma Coach

If the Giallorossi players thought they were going to have an easy time through the preseason they were wrong. So much so that captain Francesco Totti has joked that he 'can't keep up.' The veteran has had a bit of an attitude change it seems after a long season of arguing with former boss Luis Enrique.

“My role? We will see and I will adapt. The important thing is to play. Football is fun, I enjoy the sport and try to give the fans entertainment too. As long as I am physically able, I will try to give my contribution.”

Francesco Totti - Roma Captain

Totti is referring to speculation that he may be moved to the flank under Zeman rather than playing a pure centre forward position. It remains to be seen if his tune will change as time goes by, but as always for Roma Totti is a key to their season. However there is much more in the capital city these days than just Francesco Totti.

The Giallorossi have been making headlines day in and day out, most recently with the Mattia Destro transfer saga. It finally looks as though he will finally sign for Roma barring any last minute moves by Juventus again. There was also Fabio Borini whom Destro is slated to replace. I've stated in previous posts how much I disliked the sale of Fabio. Not only did they sell one of their better performers from last season, but they did not recieve bagfulls of money either. But I digress.

There is much to be said about the new crop of players that they have brought in. Brazil was a main destination the Romans went looking for signatures, and they got a couple. Bolstering the back lines with the likes of Leandro Castan and Dodo. Castan will play in a central role in hopes of replacing the departed Juan. While Dodo figures to play as a left fullback. Both come with good resumes but no track record in the top leagues so they may take time to adapt. Although Dodo is only twenty and could be something special.

Dodo

In the midfield, David Pizarro is back following his loan to Manchester City but it remains to be seen whether he will be in Zeman's plans for the first team. Jonathan Lucca is an 18-year-old they brought in from Brazil that figures to be loaned out at some point before the transfer window closes. Panagiotis Tachtsidis, who was brought in from Genoa, is a relatively unknown player to me, but what I do know is that he played for Verona in Serie B last term and impressed Zeman very much. American Michael Bradley arrives from Chievo; he is a player who is known more for his work ethic than his skill, so he should fit in nicely with Zeman. Lastly, Marquinho was brought over on a loan deal in January from Fluminense, scored 3 goals in 15 matches and impressed enough to have that loan made permanent.

Bradley, Tachtsidis, Lucca, and Castan

If they are able to sign Mattia Destro to this already impressive attack which includes Pablo Osvaldo and Francesco Totti then Mr. Zeman might actually be telling the truth. Roma can compete for the Scudetto. However, the strong attack somewhat depends on Erik Lamela. The young Argentine who came into the Serie A last season with much hype and while he showed flashes of greatness he did not put it together with consistency. Zdenek Zeman has a reputation for bringing the best out of his young players, and after a season at Pescara where all of Italy was talking about Lorenzo Insigne, Ciro Immobile, and of course the now departed Marco Verratti, it sounds to me that the old man knows what he's doing.

Erik Lamela

Now the real kicker came this morning. Reports out of Italy suggest that Manchester City, who has been surprisingly quiet in the transfer window to this point, are preparing a 25 million pound bid for the main reason Roma can be talked about in any Scudetto conversation right now; Daniele De Rossi. One of the best box to box midfielders on the planet who has bled Giallorossi for so many years could be on the way out. It would be a hard bid to reject, but he is one player that would be damn-near impossible to replace.

Daniele De Rossi

The thing is Roma and Zeman need things to fall perfectly into place to mount a serious title challenge. There are plenty of ifs on this team, but that also means plenty of potential. Aside from the sale of Borini I like what they've done so far. However, they may need one more year of developing the youngsters before they can mount a serious title challenge. Champions League qualification is a more realistic goal for the Giallorossi.

Zeman will surely be sending his tried and true 4-3-3 formation and I'm going to take a stab at potential starting XI while I'm at this.

Stekelenburg

Rosi           Burdisso        Heinze      Dodo

Marquinho        De Rossi             Pjanic

Lamela         Osvaldo       Totti/Destro

If Destro does arrive on Monday like the reports say he will, then Totti may have trouble finding space in the starting eleven in which case we'll see how well he's adapted.

And I almost forgot about Bojan Krkic.. he scored twice today. This team has a lot of talent up front with or without Mattia Destro.

Let me know what you think!!