In many ways, the January market is very much glitz and glamour, as rumours abound but few ever turn out to be of any substance. As understated as Udinese usually are when it comes to buying players, the aforementioned ‘razzmatazz’ was very much absent from the Stadio Friuli and its deal making throughout the first month of the year.
The necessity for some strengthening to the squad was largely brought about by the loss of personnel to the African Cup of Nations and though the club has gone some way to covering those absences, very few tifosi heads have turned and little cash has been splashed in achieving this aim.
However, despite missing out on much of the transfer fanfare, the Friuli faithful should not feel aggrieved by the lack of activity, as very shortly they will have an important influx of quality back in the squad, as injuries and international duty all come to an end and the team is once again brimming with options.
The team should remain hopeful, as the imminent return of Mehdi Benatia, Emmanuel Badu and Kwadwo Asamoah will be of much more benefit to the squad than any muted January transfer purchase they might have missed out on.
To summarise the transfers, those that have now pledged their football allegiances to Francesco Guidolin are:
Jean Alain Fanchone – Defence (Arles)
Gelson Fernandes – Midfield (Leicester City)
Michele Pazienza – Midfield (Juventus)
Players that left during January included:
Thierry Doubai (Sochaux)
Gabriel Silva (Novara)
Abdou Sissoko (Brest)
Emanuele Belardi (Reggina)
We must also clarify that here at Club Focus we profusely apologise after incorrectly citing Bryan Carrasco as having signed for the club in last week’s article. Much confusion surrounded the Chilean, as reliable sources had reported his move to Udinese as ‘official’. Though still on the radar for many European clubs, Carrasco remains with current club Audax Italiano.
Newcomers Gelson Fernandes and Michele Pazienza have already served the club well in the handful of matches they have been involved in. The former Juventus player has especially proved crucial, scoring one of the two goals in Wednesdays 2-1 home win against Serse Cosmi’s Lecce.
The Bianconeri remain on track for a Champions League spot despite the loss to table topping Juventus last weekend, and here at forzaitalianfootball.com, we feel their Scudetto challenge has all but dissipated into the Turin sky with the defeat at the hands of La Vecchia Signora. Their efforts must now be centered on ensuring third place is firmly kept away from the likes of Inter and Lazio.
The team travels to Florence in the next round, and will already have Benatia at their disposal as Morocco have returned home after a disappointing tournament. With Brazilian defender Danilo suspended, the impressive centre-back can seamlessly step into the team without compromising tactics or strategies in any way.
Combatative midfielder Giampiero Pinzi is highly doubtful for the match as are Andrea Coda, Diego Fabbrini and long-term absentee Paulo Barreto.
Ultimately the weather may be the winner this weekend as temperatures plummet over the peninsula, but Udinese fans can be thankful that despite a seemingly uninspiring transfer window, the return of three or four major players is a guarantee of quality the Winter transfer merry-go-round could never offer.
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