After finishing fourth for the third straight season, Fiorentina changed their coach and revamped their roster with a slew of changes in the hopes of a Champions League spot.
Although new Fiorentina coach Paulo Sousa wanted to continue the work of his predecessor Vincenzo Montella, that did not stop him and the Fiorentina management from undergoing major changes. A significant amount of players have been replaced compared to last season’s team.
We will take a look at the most significant moves. For a complete list you can see our detailed transfer table.
IN
Jakub Blaszczykowski, 29, Borussia Dortmund, loan €1 million, midfielder/winger
Nicola Kalinic, 27, Dnipropetrovsk, €5.5 million, striker
Davide Astori, 28, Cagliari, loan with obligation to buy €3.5 million, defender
Gilberto, 22, Botafogo, €2 million, defender
Mario Suarez, 28, Atletico Madrid, €15 million, midfielder
OUT
Mohammed Salah, 23, Chelsea, end of loan, winger
Stefan Savic, 24, Atletico Madrid, €25 million, defender
Mario Gomez, 30, Besiktas, loan with option to buy, striker
Jose Maria Basanta, 31, Monterrey, loan, defender
Joaquin Sanchez Rodriguez, 34, Real Betis, €1.5 million, winger
ARRIVALS
Jakub Blaszczykowski
The veteran winger, who’s been with Borussia Dortmund the past eight years, fills the void left by the departed Joaquin. He is looking for an opportunity to play regularly to boost his chances to represent Poland for next year’s Euro. A versatile player who can play midfield or on the wing, will give Sousa flexibility on the flanks.
Nicola Kalinic
Acquired at a reasonable price, Kalinic will fill the void by the departed Gomez. The Croatian is younger and has more pace. His arrival also helps Fiorentina give Giuseppe Rossi more time to heal. Dnipro’s leading scorer also has experience in Europa League play, as his former club reached the final last season which they lost to champions Sevilla.
Davide Astori
Astori was a highly sought after defender just a short two years ago and had a so-so season with Roma. He is looking to regain his form and make an impression on Antonio Conte for a spot with Italy for next year’s Euro. Acquired at a reasonable price, if he finds his form will turn out to be quite a coup for Fiorentina to add a defender of his pedigree.
Gilberto
A defender with pace who can move swiftly on the flanks is what Sousa was looking for, and they got their man with emerging Brazilian talent Gilberto. He is a poor man’s Cafu who is also part of Brazil’s U23 national team and can also play midfield.
Mario Suarez
Suarez was sought after many clubs and will fill a need as Fiorentina required a holding midfielder that plays with an edge, is combatitive and physical too. He will complement the other midfielders who are more technical, and provide leadership and a winning pedigree. The veteran defender, wanted a change to get more playing time as his role was reduced at Atletico Madrid.
DEPARTURES
Mohammed Salah
Salah was impressive in his brief stint with Fiorentina when he arrived on loan in January. However he decided not to stay and Fiorentina, despite their efforts to force him to fulfill his obligations, had no choice but to let him go. Salah is now playing at Roma and Fiorentina management get an egg in their face for the handling of this situation.
Stefan Savic
Savic was the price to pay to acquire Suarez. Arguably Fiorentina’s best defender last season, the return on his sale was too good to pass up. Not easy for a new coach to lose his best defender, Sousa will have his work cutout for him to fill the void left by Savic.
Mario Gomez
Things did not work out for Gomez ever since his arrival in Florence. Plagued with injures, Gomez never displayed the form that was expected of him from his time at Bayern Munich. He moved onto Besiktas with the hope of getting more playing time.
Jose Maria Basanta
A year after acquiring Basanta, Fiorentina sends him back to his former club on loan. Given his contract will expire in 2016 it is highly unlikely he will re-sign. A move made to shed some payroll.
Joaquin
Fiorentina was very reluctant to part ways with Joaquin whom they considered an important part of their team and brought a unique skill set to the club. In the end they granted his wish and sold him to his beloved Betis, where he wants to end his career, for 1.5M euros. Better to let him leave than to keep a disgruntled player.
Expected starting XI
Sousa looks to change formation and now employ a 3-4-2-1
Tarusanu
Tomovic – Rodriguez – Roncaglia
Gilberto – Suarez – Borja Valero – Marcos Alonso
Ilicic – Blaszczykowski
Kalinic
Verdict
Fiorentina did not adequately fill the void left by Savic, which is critical given the additional matches Fiorentina will play in Europa League. He was a pillar at the back and Astori is not a suitable replacement. Gilberto is young and has potential, hard to determine if he is an upgrade on Basanta. Up front the new acquisitions of Blaszczykowski, Kulinic and Suarez are adequate and should provide Sousa with some flexibility tactics wise to replace Salah, Gomez and Joaquin.
Fiorentina will be crossing their fingers that Giuseppe Rossi will be ready and stay injury free to provide a lethal threat up front.
Mercato grade: B+
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