With two points from their last two games, most followers of Serie A might think the Zebrette title challenge was starting to falter or derail even. However, considering those points came from an away match with Lazio and the recent home tie against the unbeaten and Serie A standout team of the year, Juventus, it puts those hard earned points into perspective.
They may no longer be top of the league, but they are certainly not very far off it, now that the half way point of the season has been reached.
Fans at the Stadio Friuli will undoubtedly be turning their thoughts to who might arrive during the January transfer window. Both Coach and club owner have publicly stated that new arrivals will be joining the squad, however they have dampened the mood by also clarifying that their transfer strategy will not be governed by the league standings.
In short, do not expect any super stars to don the black and white shirt any time soon. But in any case, that would not be the Udinese way of doing business. It is also very important to note that currently Udinese are playing extremely well, the necessity for new faces is actually quite minimal. However, there is one issue that will force the club to dip into the hurly burly of the transfer market. Mehdi Benatia, Kwadwo Asamoah and Emmanuel Badu will all be away on African Cup duty come the New Year. Udinese have no option but to cover these absences if they want to remain protagonists in the race for the the Scudetto.
So, who could the Friulani buy in January? Whoever comes in will surely not be young unknown quantities with a view to becoming regulars in the future. The Bianconeri will need those that can immediately be of use to Francesco Guidolin and can easily slot into the team. Experience alongside ability will be the main attributes that ‘Il Guido’ will be insisting upon, as the list of desirables is drawn up.
Luis Muriel and Juan Cuadrado, currently on loan at Lecce, have been mentioned as possibilities. The Columbians, the former a forward and the latter an attacking full back have valuable Serie A matches under their belts and could prove very useful. The major stumbling block here is that they are contracted to the Salentini till the end of the season, hugely complicating a return to their parent club.
Leicester midfielder Gelson Fernandes is another name that has recently popped up in various reports. The 25 year old Swiss international might not be the first player on most fans wish list, but he offers the guarantee of experience and versatility that the team needs. Fernandes would be a useful addition that fits the necessary criteria to be of value to the squad.
Tiberio Guarente, italian midfielder playing in Spain for Sevilla is another possible purchase. The ex-Atalanta man is seemingly keen on a return to the peninsula and Udine could be his final destination.
Winger Marco Marchionni and brazilian defender Felipe, both currently struggling to find room at Fiorentina, would also be affordable options and have both been linked with a move to the Bianconeri.
Followers of the French league may recognise Sochaux midfield man Kevin Anin, who is very much of interest to the Friulani. Anin has been recently tracked by Newcastle and Arsenal, but Udinese could tempt him with a move to Italy.
Finally, three more names that are supposedly on the club’s wanted list are Hassan Yebda (Napoli but on loan with Granada in Spain), Parma’s tough tackling midfield man Daniele Galloppa and Iceland’s Emil Halfredsson, who is plying his trade in Serie B with Verona.
Initial thoughts would suggest that the players we have named are hardly head turners. But then who would have said that Pablo Armero, Dusan Basta, Giampiero Pinzi and Antonio Floro Flores would ever be key elements of a team fighting to win the Scudetto?
Francesco Guidolin seems to have mastered the footballing equivalent of alchemy, turning that which is of little value into pure gold. The Udinese transfer strategy could be the most interesting the Serie A has to offer, we await it with bated breath.
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