Back To The Future

By: cathal | March 26th, 2009

Apologies for the distinct lack of posts in recent days. I must have the world’s most unreliable internet connection (or even access) and that is no exaggeration. There wasn’t much news to comment on and frankly, there still isn’t so today I’m reverting back to looking at the future. As the media speculation intensifies, I will give you my view on what may happen beyond this season.

I’ll begin by stating the obvious and saying that next season depends heavily on what happens in the remainder of this season. The future of players such as Ledesma and Pandev are on the line, the buy-out clauses of Zarate and Matuzalem remain unsigned and perhaps most importantly, Rossi has a contract that has yet to be renewed. Lotito has much to be stressed about and perhaps his latest outburst illustrates that. However, there is still a long way to go in this season and he has pleny of time for deliberation.

The key to the next mercato is whether Rossi remains as coach or departs elsewhere. You would have to think the nucleus of this team would remain constant if Delio is in charge but what could we be looking at if he goes? That is a difficult question to answer. First things first, there are quite a few players who are not only due to return but also want to return. The likes of Stendardo, Bonetto and Scaloni have all expressed an interest in coming back. Our ex-captain, Zauri probably doesn’t when you take into account that his demise wasn’t amicable but he’s also on our books. The major problem with having so many individuals out on loan is securing their future elsewhere or integrating them back into the team. To make this task tougher, all the guys I mentioned are defenders.

The quality of our back line is open to debate but the depth is already more than sufficient. That leaves Claudio with the job of offloading the deadwood elsewhere. However, if Rossi leaves the club that leaves the door open for Stendardo and Zauri who Rossi saw as disruptive influences. Therefore, the circumstances are potentially different if our coach moves and it will all depend on who the new manager is. A new coach would change everything and while the majority of fans are convinced Delio has his bags packed and ready to go, I’m not so sure.

I reckon that we will strengthen our attack before we do anything else. In my opinion, we are in desperate need of a winger. Foggia is fantastic out wide and I think we can all see that is his best position. I also see an increased effort on Rossi’s part in trying to play him more out there but I think that weakens the team as a whole. Often that means throwing Brocchi on the right or Manfredini on the left. That is neither player’s best position and both guys are well on their way to picking up their pension so I expect a winger to come in. Who are the candidates? Well, Afellay would be the obvious choice but the much discussed Angeleri can also play wide on the right as well as defence and that could give us an extra dimension.

I also expect the attack to be renovated. The future of our whole attack is in question and rumours surrounding the likes of Floccari and more recently, Julio Cruz are to be expected. Lazio are severely lacking in that we don’t have a quality out-and-out box striker; a poacher. We have Inzaghi, who is motivated but not getting his chance and Kozak and Mendicino who are both on the verge of a breakthrough but too young to fulfil our requirements. Cruz would do, but someone of Iaquinta or Toni’s ability would be preferable. Is that realistic? We’ll have to wait and see.

We are a team submerged in the unknown. Nothing but question marks exist in our team and our performances and if we really want to push up the table, we have to start answering them. Lotito’s comments could be the calling of a new dawn, a resurrection or it could just be meaningless babble. Let me know what you think in this week’s poll. Forza Lazio!