Halfway Incoming

By: chris | January 26th, 2012

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The Loaner: Part Simon

I’m going to do something rather ridiculous here. Quite ridiculous, really.

This is rather easy to say since it’s not my money – any millions I have in the bank are earmarked for the scientific realization of those much ballyhooed pink fluffy unicorns and the fucking gorgeous rainbows they dance upon – but put me in charge (heaven help us…) and I’m picking up Kjaer’s option. Rather soonish. And possibly under a fake name, but still.

Quick: name another 22 year old central defender with his talent floating around Europe for 7 million euros. (Or whatever they can whittle it down to.)

Anyone?

Well, perhaps Subotic, but that’s only because 7 million is the tally on his bail.

He’s been nothing short of a colossal failure, nothing short of a regression upon his previous Serie A form and, quite frankly, a liability. There’s something off about his game, no doubt. That doesn’t mean he’s not a sound investment. There’s just simply no denying his incredible ceiling – and high ceilings in Rome are undoubtedly worthy.

The Loaner: Part Bojan.

No. Just no.

The Rest

Lamela: The prize jewel not of the mercato, but of the last several years. If there is to be someone who can attempt to assume Totti’s throne – blasphemy – Erik is it. His skills make the finest silk seem sandpaper in comparison. Probably the best thing to happen to Roma since Talentino’s transfer.

I just can’t tell whether it was Antonio coming in or going out.

Pjanic: It’s not as though he’s ever likely to contend for the Ballon d’Or, but he’s both an excellent footballer and an excellent fit for the system. As known from day one. Six months on, the only reason I can possibly see for Lyon letting him go so cheap is questions of his long-term durability – he takes heavy knocks and looks like he’s built of a few birch saplings lashed together. Other than that, I’ve got nothin’.

J. Depp: Back when Luca Toni appeared to be/was the big purple Second Coming – ‘cept he always moved like he had a cross on his back – and was knocking goals in like they were going out of style, I recall a commentator saying something which could be best paraphrased as “He misses as many as he hits, but he hits enough so that it doesn’t matter.”

That’s Johnny. Kind of – the homeless man’s edition, which is how he often dresses, appropriately enough. Hooray for symmetry. His first goals were almost accidents, but he gets himself into positions which make them happy accidents. And then he just became a really solid forward…so long as he doesn’t touch the ball outside of the box.

The problem is, with a team constructed like Roma at current, you want more.

Borini: Fabio just might be more. He’s had some woeful games (Parma, was it? Was that in his loan contract?), but his movement off the ball, to the ball and within the box is excellent, while typically making his movement in that forward direction. Fabio’s going to make his runs to touch rather than set and that’s colossal in a system which is comprised of about 42 bodies who need or want the ball at their feet at all times. At the very least, continually putting the ball on net tests the keeper, and as we saw with Cesena, that can reap its own rewards even if the initial shot is saved.

It’s awful early to say anything definitive, but he just might fit best over the long term. Obviously the only regret is they didn’t nab him for free, but certain technicalities – like the whole farm being for sale – prevented such a move.

Angels: He looked to be the real deal for about 135 minutes. And then…Serie A happened.

This is why defenders need Serie A experience. This is why young defenders, no matter how talented, typically need to be paired with a solid veteran. Epic talent and one who would thrive in a land like La Liga, one who will likely thrive for Roma soon, but the here and now is much painful growth. Unthinkable a few months ago, a loan move to someone who’ll run him out weekly in the peninsula might be a really smart move.

Lady G: Yes, he’s on a loan, but his seems a bit less significant than the those of the youngsters.

He’s a solid player. He does absolutely nothing for me either way and frankly, I hope there are better options when the time comes in the summer.

Though with Cicinho moving on, they may need him to fulfill the neck quota tattoo. Again.

Maaaarten: Has anyone noticed he’s been much better since Lucio kickered him in the head?

Just sayin’.

Excellent purchase. More excellent, two words: Carlos. Kameni.

That was a cruel, cruel trick.

Heinze: Arguably Roma’s best defender in terms of minutes this year.

I think that says more about the state of Roma than Gabby, who was supposed to be CB four/backup LB. Now he’s the first name on the backline if Juan’s voodoo doll falls into the tub and his legs get a bit soggy.

That’s not how it was drawn up. (The Heinze part.)

Winter

Still waiting…

Some Related Roma Posts:

Category: Team News

« VotD: Roma’s Lone Highlight | Home | The Second Time Around »

Bojan Roma

Maaaarten: Has anyone noticed he’s been much better since Lucio kickered him in the head?

Just sayin’.

Cracked me up when i read it ... :)
mac

It is to bad the fecalpheliac at the Bologna site can't get off his ass to provide us with a few laughs. After time passing and seeing the kick Totti gave Balotelli, I've come to the conclusion that he was actually trying to kick Marco Motta.
FrankieASR

VOTY:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Loazzi

DEROSSI SIGNED!!!! Ok, maybe it was just a cab driver's autograph on a comedy sketch but it is by far the best sign we have ever had in this saga. When the cabbie asked him where he is going, he first said Manchester. Then changed his mind to Paris and the Dubai, Budapest and others. In the end, he said that he would just stay here and asked the cabbie how much he owed him. The cabbie said nothing, just your signature, your autograph. DDR obliged and signed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Sammy

And apparently the tv host confirmed it later on again in the show. He could have just held a press conference...but I'll take it
Dhaw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Some more of this please
davidk8

I was highly critical of Rosi in the past, but man, did he prove me wrong. I've always thought he didn't have the skillset to be a winger. He is dribbling, moving very well off the ball, gets into positions to pass etc. His defensive game still needs some development, but he's on the right path. What a bit of confidence can do to a guy, here's to hoping that Kjaer and Bojan follow in his footsteps.
iosanguinaregiallerosso

Anyone else thought of maybe getting Felipe Santana?
Pretty solid. Good in the air, like crazy good, not that quick but fast enough to catch a run away player. Ball winner like Juan. Overall solid CB. If we are going to lose Hienze and keep Kjaer then I would look to trying to get Santana. But that's just my opinon.
romaromaroma

I'm always a sore loser, especially when I lose to pink star-chested fucks.
Beppe

we need to get Chris Samba, he would reinforce our front line and he is practically begging blackburn to leave
Hondo

He is CB, so I don't know what you are smoking?!?
romaromaroma

Mm, I'd be skeptical about an EPL defender. Too physical and clumsy, with little technical skill or guile.
ForzaTotti

Never heard of him.
DCGweez

What roma3 said. Said that today. He's big and clumsy. Anyway he's Not coming to Italy. He'd be a bad fit for our league, a worse fit for Roma
Hhh

Vote for Totti to win the goal of the week.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news...
romaromaroma

Was that offside by the way?
Kistajk

It was, but sshh, it's a roma blog so who cares about that? ;)
asroma4life23

makes up for osvaldos goal
James Robert

ohhh!!! so THAT'S where goal.com gets their information...user votes!! hahahahaaha
Dane Penn

The summer transfer sagas were wild, due to new...well, everything. This mid-season, we have new management, owners who are finally in their places, directors who have been sitting for a couple of months. In the summer when they weren't all there, we got wild rumors. In this winter break, little rumors. Lots of pros and cons with this.

Could be, they are all on the same page and are determined not to tip their hand. Or it could be they truly don't have anyone to sign.

Chris, I agree with about 95% of your post (as I almost always do). Messi gets brutalized every game and he seems to hold up despite his seemingly frail physique. With protection, and players who pass and move, hopefully he won't get nailed so often.
Lamela is, well, he sure is fitting in at Roma, in some of the best and worst ways. He has the skill to be someone to rely on. Not Totti. But someone who has that knack for being brilliant. He sure has a fire, which is the reason for Totti's longevity and success.

Gago is a player who can only get better, much like Mexes part deux. But the upside for Kjaer is that he's a baby, too. He's a couple years YOUNGER than Gago, and can barely get a beer in Chicago if he wanted to. So let's keep the kid, and keep Gago.
Let's let Borini run all day at people and hope he too can start to handle the physical+intellectual nature of Serie A defenses.

Hope all is well with everyone. Forza Roma
Jonas

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net...

Rosi gets some beef...and a beard while he's at it
Samdelasr

Everytime i see him he reminds me of Casillas somehow!
Jordan Cozzi

lol thats weird it looks like the TRX band is hold the weight from going down or something???
Tony Page

Are those squats? Doesn't really look like he's squatting much. Just warming up?
ForzaTotti

lol exactly what I was thinking...what is that like 90lbs?
Tony Page

lol I was never much of a weight room guy, but I wouldn't guess any higher than that! Don't want to over do it I guess.
Loazzi

Thing about Kjaer though is that Roma needs a STARTER, now and next year. I can live with the growing pains this year and I hope that Kjaer actually grows from those pains but with Burdisso coming back as the 3rd option next year and my wish that Antei be the 4th guy, I give Kjaer by the end of this season to demonstrate that he can be a starter by next year.
ForzaTotti

Burdisso is our 1st or 2nd option. Heinze is only on a one year deal and is turning 34 this year. Juan is turning 33. One or both of Heinze/Juan will be gone next season. Keeping Kjaer is a no-brainer unless we can get someone of the likes of Subotic (not likely).
Rossi

How can u say "no brainer". its 7m, thats not nothing. use those funds and a bit more and get a true 1st teamer. I just dont know what Kjaer has proven to the ppl who support him. i know we secretly miss Mexes but Kjaer won't bring him back
Mostafa

Like Chris said: He's young, and he's shown he can be good in Serie A (See Palermo) so he is a no brainer I would agree..
Kistajk

Not many people will like this, but I feel Borini will be Boriello v2.0, not in terms of achievements (if any), but in terms of the amount of clubs on his resume.

Not sure why my gut feeling told me he has a rather big ego (which would grow to "I scored 25,000 goals" kind of ego) since he celebrated his first goal.

Time will tell..
ForzaTotti

I honestly don't know how you drew those comparisons...I don't see any Borriello in Borini.
masonio

Maybe if we treat him the same way Milan treated Marco. Which would be loaning/co-owning his butt out every year until he's basically matured. At least right now under Luis Enrique, he seems to be a part of our squad. The plan seems to be to grow him within Roma, which would be completely different than in Marco's case.

I'm not sure about his attitude. I haven't personally read or seen anything negative from him in that regard yet.

Time will definitely tell, though. Depends on Borini as well. If things go to plan, he will gradually gain even more playing time next season. We'll see.
Guest

no idea where you get that. Dude works his tail off.
Gollum_ASR

This. I'm hoping he becomes our new Perrotta, but with slightly better finishing skills.
ForzaTotti

Except he's a striker lol but I know what you mean.
Giallorossi56

As each day passes I get more worried because of the lack of signing/rumors. I assume we should all be used to this by now, remember this summer - we were linked to everybody and their mother.

I am going to trust Mr. Sab, though. He isn't stupid. He knows there are gaps to fill and that the back line NEEDS reinforcements. I have always found the January transfer window to be interesting, usually the guys on the fringe of their starting XI and vying for NT spots will try and make a move to a team where they know they will get lots of time on the pitch. I just wonder how much the upcoming Euro has anything to do with the lack of transfers. You would think players not guaranteed spots on their NT would try and move to a team with the chance of regular playing time. That's why I think we SHOULD go after some fringe NT Italians (ex. Bocchetti, Astori, etc.)
Speculatin' Bacon

So where does Marquinho fit in? How does he fit into the 4-3-3 we're using? The only thing I can think of is a conversion to fullback. That's not a rousing endorsement of Jose.
ForzaTotti

He fits into the LB spot. He has drawn comparisons to Cafu as a fullback. Obviously only time will tell if that holds true.
DB

Maybe at LB? I am pretty sure I read that is where he started in his professional career. Maybe an upgrade for Taddei?...can play a couple different positions.
iosanguinaregiallerosso

Keep playing Taddei at left back. He has become used to it by now.
brikkz

i fuckin love heinzes smile. no homo.
Guest

homo.
OlandeseRomano

Fully agree on most of it, apart from the fact that I'm not writing off Bojan yet. He's been unfortunate up until now but he's showing what in Italian is called "voglia di fare", in other words, he wants to show what he's capable of which is not exactly what we saw in ol' Jeremy. I'm gonna give him time, but with his price tag he's gonna have to show us some results rather soon.
Gollum_ASR

In the games when he's "on", he really does have moments of brilliance. But then the very next game he'll disappear for 70 minutes until he's subbed...

So I agree with you: I'm not going to put my neck out and say he'll be the greatest buy of the mercato, but if it happens I also wouldn't be too surprised. He's got some tremendous talent and this is his first season in Italy... I think next year will really show us what he's made of.
Dhaw

Kjaer is a solid player who is lacking confidence at the moment. He hasn't fit into the system yet and doesn't know what he should be doing. For 7 million he is a no brainer even if he warms the bench for a while.

I rather look at the bench and find him sitting there instead of the Cassetti's and the Loria's who we tend to pick as backups.

His biggest mistake is he leaves his position way too fast which leaves the other CB and FB hanging in no man's land. He needs to calm down and maintain shape at the back - that's something he really needs to do. Every time we have conceded a silly goal is because he just fucked the shape at the back.

I am telling you , Mexes just cursed that CB spot. How's the move to Milan working out for him ?
Rossi

He looks cool and on paper makes sense but 7m + several more can buy a true 1st teamer. IMO def not a no brainier picking him up
Dhaw

7 million for him and another 10 odd million to pick another CB should be the way the management should go.

He is ONLY 22 years old and he is a good player - just very very low in confidence.
philipp_sebastian

Agree, also with Rafay. He should learn from his "older brother" Juan for better positioning and timing of tackles while he tries to imitate MEXES (who is mostly warming bench at MILAN: sad. Not sure the extra money makes him happy in cold North with MILAN fans not really admiring him - while he was loved by ROMA fans - until he left so "cheaply" ("sheepishly"). Well, I'm sure he regrets it if he's honest (never publicly admitting it, though). I always wonder how much the bench players really feel "part of it" when a team wins a certain cup (especially when you used to be starter, now being degraded): Not so much, I imagine .......
Rafay Waqar

Spot on! Commits way too early and doesn't win the ball like how Juan does. He should learn from Juan. Juan times his tackles perfectly. That guy has been getting the flack from some around here the past season but I think he's been our best defender for the last five year or so.