January Signings

Yes, he's been loaned to Spurs:

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jan27e.html

 

10-day tryout for Luis Abel Xavier. I know that he is a 32-year-old fullback who used to play for Liverpool and Bari and was also a Potuguese International. Anybody have a clue if he can contribute to our side?

 

And yet more Roma news:

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jan28i.html

Candela to Bolton and D'Agostino loaned to Messina. I would have shipped Curfre before Candela. This same link highlights that the Davids to Roma rumors were nothing more than rumors. Take care.

 

Short, simple answer: NO

Had tryouts at Blackburn and Southampton. Couldn't win a contract at either. Enough said?

 

Xavier's a clown. I can't believe Roma's that desperate.

On the other hand, there are many transfers out this month but few signings, so maybe they are. Besides the ones mentioned so far, Luigi Sartor is also gone, loaned to Serie B Genoa.

And now, promising primavera player Raffaele De Martino is "missing" and could be on his way to Arsenal.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jan29d.html

 

He can help by making the image of Roma ugly with his hair and beard....

 

Last I heard, Taddei had patched things up with Siena and is now back playing for them.

The news of the day is that young Raffaele De Martino has signed with Swiss club Bellinzona instead of going to England, as had been rumored.

 

Xavier has apparently been signed. I'm not sure how this works, but he's been enrolled on the roster even though the transfer has not been finazlied. Sounds sort of like the Mexes thing last summer. Anyway, he can't play until things go through.

 

Well I'd say this was a very successful transfer period for Roma .

 

I think juve now has the inside track on taddei (who I'm not sure is good enough for them) out of the Igor Tudor loan arrangement...

 

The most important thing Roma needed was the addition of creative midfielders. (But this seems to be the story for many of the teams I support--PSG's midfield makes Roma's look like Chelsea's or Barca's). BTW I would love to see Roma clean house this summer and bring in Didier Duschamps (Duschamp?) and others from Monaco who've been dealing with football operations. I know they started slow this year but Duschamps has rebuilt that team after losing a lot of players in the off season. He seems to be the man with the golden touch as far as scouting players. Take care.

 

Why didn't Roma sell Cufre?! Or atleast give him away on a loan or free transfer.

In all seriousness (actually I was serious about Cufre) I'm very dissappointed in Roma's transfers. Roma sold (Or lost in De Martino's case) several decent players and only added a single defender whose best years are well behind him. This is simply unacceptable and pathetic for a team that hopes to be in the Champions League next season but doesn't have anything resembling depth. With the sales of Delvecchio and Mido (and the lack of replacements) Roma won't have a chance at qualifying if Montella, Totti, or Cassano go down with an injury.

 

All excellent points. I share your assessment of our transfer period, but believe that we will finish Top-4 in Serie A.

 

BTW, Xavier IS in the squad list for tomorrow's game, so I guess whatever I was reading about him not being available was wrong or else got resolved very quickly.

 

I thought this guy was washed up.....guess I was wrong.

 

Real target De Rossi
http://skysports.planetfootball.com...lid=&title=Real+target+De+Rossi&channel=Italy

Here comes the Spanish money machine.......no comment.

 

Mancini flattered by Real link
http://skysports.planetfootball.com...=Mancini+flattered+by+Real+link&channel=Italy

RMCF is after another Roma player. They always come swooping in with their money like vultures.

 

I love the media rumor mill. I say sell Mancini (as if Real really want him) to Real and take Robhino (sp?) on loan. Look, given all of the midfielders that are available in the world would Real really want a one-year wonder? Not a chance.