Serie A Transfer Review: Anderson a bust?

The time has come and passed for mid-season strengthening around Europe, with Serie A seeing several intra-league deals of note with moves for Radja Nainggolan, Jorginho and Hernanes. Elsewhere, Pablo Osvaldo landed back in his adoptive nation on loan with Juventus after his short spell with Southampton was punctuated by a training ground bust-up with Jose Fonte, as Milan also went shopping in England.

Best Transfer: Jorginho to Napoli

The 22-year-old Brazilian-Italian captured the attention of clubs around the continent – Liverpool included – with a brilliant start to life in the top flight at Hellas Verona.

Seven goals, 25 chances created and 44 interceptions saw him establish himself as a vital two-way midfielder in just five months in Serie A following the Mastini’s promotion for the current campaign.

Napoli ultimately won out in the sweepstakes for his signature – agent Joao Santos confirming Jorginho had spurned other offers to move to the San Paolo – immediately shoring up Rafa Benitez’s midfield with one of Italy’s brightest young talents.

Worst Transfer: Anderson to Fiorentina

The Manchester United flop requires no introduction at this point, his tenure at Old Trafford having been marked by fitness issues and unfulfilled expectations.

Fiorentina already have a wealth of options in midfield – talented ones,  and quite frankly they don’t require the Brazilian.

Four appearances for United under David Moyes didn’t give him much chance to prove himself – though he did average a chance created every 39 minutes – but why Fiorentina saw fit to take him on loan when Josip Ilicic is still finding his feet and other options could’ve been had is an enigma.

Anderson destined to be a flop in Serie A?

Best Bargain: Danilo D’Ambrosio to Inter

A natural wing-back, the 25-year-old covered nearly every position outside of attack under boss Giampiero Ventura at Torino, courting reported interest from nearly all of Serie A’s giants.

Renewal talks surrounding an expiring contract with the Granata had repeatedly stalled throughout the first half of the campaign – meaning a cut-rate move could be on the cards.

And Inter took advantage, snapping D’Ambrosio up for just €1.5m, an addition that should fit well into boss Walter Mazzarri’s 3-5-2 formation.

The Naples native has won 25 of 32 attempted tackles this term (76%) whilst completing 19 take-ons in a solid display of the versatility he offers out wide.

Shock Sale: Hernanes to Inter

Another player mired in cyclical contract talks, the Brazilian’s future remained shrouded in mystery for much of January as Lazio president Claudio Lotito remained bullish on his intentions to keep hold of him.

Tottenham and Manchester United were thought to be interested in his services, whilst eventual buyers Inter were repeatedly linked with his name but it was unclear if the Aquile would be willing to sell to a direct rival.

Ultimately, the capital club were willing to play ball – recouping €20m from the Nerazzurri, even as new Inter owner Erick Thohir had constantly insisted his immediate goal was to balance the books, not splash the cash.

Distractions didn’t see Hernanes hit top gear in the early going – posting a Performance Score of just 260 – the 11 goals, 57 chances created and 19 Squawka ‘Best’ Awards he plundered last season more indicative of the talented playmaker the San Siro outfit have netted.

Best Club Activity: Roma

The revitalised capital club took on a man of significant Serie A stature relatively early in the transfer window, landing Radja Nainggolan from Cagliari on an initial loan with the option to make the move permanent in the summer.

Nainggolan boasted 20 chances created, 52 tackles and 24 take-ons ahead of his Giallorossi switch, and has already integrated nicely into Rudi Garcia’s side – posting a Performance Score of 61 in his top-flight debut for his new employers.

Roma have also taken on veteran winger Michel Bastos and Brazil U-20 international defender Rafael Toloi, whilst trimming the squad as well in allowing Michael Bradley and Nicolas Burdisso to leave.

However, the crowning achievement of the market campaign came in the form of landing a raft of some of world football’s most sought-after youngsters, including Tonny Sanabria, Valmir Berisha and Leandro Paredes.

Worst Club Activity: Milan

Twelve months ago Rossoneri supporters were hailing the arrival of Mario Balotelli at San Siro, but this time around have been left scratching their heads.

Milan moved to purchase Michael Essien from Chelsea in a straight sale and grabbed QPR-owned Adel Taarabt on loan – a rather peculiar set of decisions.

Once a living legend at Stamford Bridge, the Ghanaian’s career has fallen on hard times as he’s aged – just 149 minutes of Premier League football and a Performance Score of three on the year attest to this and it remains to be seen if Essien can add much to a lacklustre  Milan squad.

Taarabt, meanwhile, was woefully inconsistent for the Cottagers in just 12 appearances and with a raft of attacking midfielders already at Milan, it questionable whether he’s needed.

Keisuke Honda and Adil Rami have also joined Calrence Seedord’s side, but have been omitted from the discussion as their moves were agreed prior to January.

Best Loan: Paolo Cannavaro to Sassuolo

A Naples native, the brother of former Ballon d’Or winner Fabio and Napoli captain saw himself relegated to the bench under Rafa Benitez – making just four appearances.

He’s now shipped off to relegation strugglers Sassuolo on loan, where his vast experience – not to mention a point to prove – should be a boon to the Neroverdi cause.

The Serie A debutants have the dubious honour of holding the division’s worst defensive Performance Score at 431, so certainly could use the help of Cannavaro down the stretch.

Best Old Signing: Nicolas Burdisso to Genoa

At 32, the Argentine isn’t an ancient relic, but is getting on in his years and had found minutes at a premium with Roma – Mehdi Benatia and Leandro Castan having quickly formed a formidable centre-back pairing.

For Genoa he can be of plenty of use, however, the Grifone having committed the fourth-most defensive errors leading to goals in Serie A with six.

Already between his first two showings with the Marassi outfit he’s put together a Performance Score of 36, completing 92% of his passes and averaging an eye-popping 12 Defensive Actions per game.

Best Young Signing: Faouzi Ghoulam to Napoli

An injury to Juan Zuniga and Pablo Armero’s natural pedigree as a winger had left Napoli light at left-back heading into January, but the problem looks to have been solved with the future in mind.

The latter Colombian was sent off to West Ham on loan, whilst the Partenopei pipped a number of competitors to secure Faouzi Ghoulam from Saint-Etienne.

Fine form in Ligue 1 saw the 23-year-old make 29 tackles, 94 clearances and 33 interceptions, all whilst creating 14 chances and completing 12 take ons.

A truly modern full-back, Ghoulam has all the trappings of a star in the making, able to defend and gallop forward on the left flank with equal aptitude.