As the campaign nears to an end, whether or not the Amaranto will be in Serie A next season is unknown. Currently on 25 points, two points separate Domenico Di Carlo’s men from jumping out of the relegation zone. Six games left to ensure salvation. However, things must change in the summer whether or not Livorno stay up or go down.
The Amaranto started the season ever so well, but the downfall began after the 1-0 win against Atalanta in early November. The games against the very top sides are when relegation-threatened teams show their mettle. However, shell-shocked, Livorno have succumbed to a dismal run of form. So, what should happen next as far as the transfer market goes?
FACT: Livorno have spent roughly the same amount as surprise package Hellas Verona – just above €3 million. However, the Gialloblu find themselves competing for a possible Europa League place, whilst the Amaranto are struggling to avoid the drop.
Sassuolo have spent a staggering €11.5m yet they’re still finding it hard to cope with life in Serie A, battling it out with Livorno, Chievo, and Bologna for survival. As the saying goes, money doesn’t always guarantee success.
Experience in the ranks
As I mentioned in one of my previous Club Foci, Livorno have an array of youngsters, who are in fact all on loan from Inter. The lack of exerpience has sometimes meant mental breakdowns during games.
If we have a look at Verona, their purchase of Luca Toni may be the transfer of the season. Bought on a Bosman deal, Toni has been a star performer in this current Serie A campaign, and is even being tipped for a place in Cesare Prandelli’s World Cup squad. This is exactly what’s needed. A Toni-esque signing would do wonders for Livorno if they manage to stay up.
For example, if Livorno manage to sign an experienced player they wouldn’t endure such an abysmal run of form like the one they experienced after the Atalanta win, and if the Amaranto do go down at the end of this season, the experience in the squad will rise up to the occasion in the Serie B campaign.
Loan Deals
Short-term solution? Yes. Problem solver? Problem creator. Livorno have to stabilise loan deals. The young players have performed so well this season, but seeing them head off to another side will be catastrophic. They’ll leave a gaping whole in the squad. It’s almost as if Inter are in control of Livorno’s future.
If we roll back in time to 2011/12, Pescara had the hottest talents in Italy. Lorenzo Insigne, Ciro Immobile, and Marco Veratti all donned the shirts of the Delfini that season, achieving a memorable promotion. However, Napoli regained Insigne, and Immobile was off to Genoa after Juventus agreed a deal to sell the striker to the Grifone.
To rub salt into the wounds, Veratti chose to go to mega-rich Paris Saint-Germain. Moral of the story is that loan deals can help you achieve what you want, but they create too many problems once they’re over.
Had there not been that much uncertainty surrounding Immobile and Insigne’s futures, would Veratti have left? If all three had been in the Biancazzurri’s ranks during the 2012/13 season, would Pescara have even gone down? Definitely a point to consider.
Sign, don’t sell
The problem associated to relegated clubs is that they often sell too many players upon getting relegated without signing any replacements, and a common problem amongst clubs who managed to survive is that they don’t recruit enough players. Both are very problematic.
If we look at Palermo, the reason the Rosanero top Serie B is that despite losing several important players, they haven’t sold all of the side’s core components, in addition to recruiting players of the same quality to those who were lost. Josip Ilicic left for Fiorentina, and Fabrizio Miccoli went to Lecce, but Palermo recruited Kyle Lafferty from Swiss side FC Sion to make up for such a massive loss.
Whether Livorno stay up or not, they should wisely recruit. For example, if Paulinho heads off to another side, the board and the club shouldn’t leave the team as it is.
Livorno have a lot of matters to take care of, the arduous relegation race isn’t over yet, but irrespective of what happens, the board and Di Carlo have to look ahead.
Follow Ahmed Assem on Twitter: @CalcioTown
