Contract Talk

By: salvatore | April 2nd, 2008

There’s been more contract talk the last few days, which I find strange with nearly two months left in the season. Nevertheless, these talks are fundamental to the shape and future of the team.

Put simply, are we going to at least try becoming a top 6 team again? Or are we on the road to becoming a perennially underachieving, penny-pinching mid-table squad? A team that gambles on youth, and then sells off its assets? As disgusting as the second choice is, it’s a real possibility, and what Lotito does this summer will be a clear indication of which one he really wants.

Lotito

At the heart of all this is the uncertain futures of Pandev and Behrami. Will they be sold? Or will they be resigned to new contracts? Most fans would opt for the latter option, but that would mean that Lotito would have to say goodbye to the salary cap he’s tried to maintain, as they, Rocchi (and potentially Carizzo) would all be making nearly double the limit.

Add to that a possible extension to Cristian Ledesma, who continues to attract suitors in Spain, and you have a very different future, both on the field, and off (economically speaking that is). Reportedly, Cristian is asking for 1.2 million year, which is more than double his salary now, and something I’m not sure he’s worth (especially if the rumored 20 million offer from Atletico Madrid is true). Trouble is, Lotito seems to like Ledesma (he recently said he was “like another captain”), as well as his impending Italian citizenship, something that would open up the necessary non-eu spot needed to gain Carizzo.

What does Cristian want exactly (aside from the extra 700 thousand a year)? Why, to find out what kind of team we’ll have next year, which basically means he’s in the same boat as the rest of us, waiting to see if Pandev and Behrami get sold.

Meanwhile, there’s talk that he might try to pull a Camoranesi, and parlay his new passport into a spot with the Azzurri. I doubt this would ever happen, partially because I think Italy has stronger midfield options, but also because I think he’s far too inconsistent to be able to get the call-up. And frankly, as an Azzurri supporter, I’m not thrilled with the idea of Italy being a fall-back option for every overlooked Argie and Brazilian.

Cristian

Elsewhere, Nonno Ballotta will be celebrating his 44th birthday tomorrow, which is fantastic for him, and eternally embarrassing for the rest of us Laziale. In any case, auguri Marco.

In your honor, here is a song that came out two days before you were born, Gigliola Cinquetti’s Eurovision winning “Non ho l’eta” (which, for the non-Italians here, translates to, “I’m not old enough”. Ah, the irony…):