Parma Club Focus: The Gialloblu prepare for a busy mercato

Date: 28th April 2012 at 9:12am
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A pleasantly surprising 2-1 win away at Palermo has left Parma in an equally pleasant position in the top half of Serie A. The work which Roberto Donadoni has done since arriving at the Ennio Tardini mid-way through the season is now finally beginning to bear fruit. Four wins in the last five have followed on from eight without a single victory, in a superb run of form.

However, while being nine points clear of the drop is an undoubtedly comfortable welcome for the Gialloblu – who just weeks ago were seriously worried about relegation – attentions are already turning to how they’ll fare next season. With a number of key first team players only on temporary deals, Parma fans are somewhat concerned about the prospect of a squad short on players, let alone quality.

Six of Parma’s most important players in the latter half of the season are only on loan deals, with talismanic Sebastian Giovinco – who could almost keep a side in Serie A on his own – seemingly destined for his home town Turin and Juventus ahead of next season. Giovinco is Parma’s top scorer, having bagged almost twice as many goals as the next highest, Sergio Floccari.

This duo have formed an excellent strike partnership at the top of Donadoni’s 3-5-2, although there is a very realistic chance that neither will be donning the famous black cross next season. With Giovinco being lured by the soon-to-be vacant number ten shirt at the Juventus Stadium, and Sergio Floccari only on loan from Lazio, then Parma’s goalscoring threat could be dramatically reduced.

Similarly, winger and wing-back Jonathan Biabiany and Jonathan respectively have provided an excellent attacking outlet down the right this season. The former has made 2.9 successful dribbles per game this season, second only to Juan Cuadrado of Lecce. But, both Jonathans are at the Tardini as part of loan deals, from Sampdoria and Inter.

The central midfield has been strengthened no end by the introduction of McDonald Mariga and Jaime Valdes on loan; both of whom have played regularly since arriving.

The former – who has played over 20 times for Inter – has impressed in a box-to-box role, with the latter as a regista, enjoying playing in an unusual deeper role as Donadoni’s attractive passing style begins to take hold. Only Sebastian Giovinco has made more key passes per game than the Chilean. But, you guessed it – both players are also on loan deals, from Inter and Sporting respectively.

Likewise, defender Fabiano Santacroce and striker Stefano Okaka are on temporary deals, and have both made over 12 appearances for the club since their arrivals. It is obvious that without this list of players, the side would be considerably lower in the table – possible facing relegation for the first time since 2008.

Fortunately, most of the loanees have clauses in their contracts which mean that Parma can make the deals permanent (or at least semi-permanent) come the end of the season. €1.8 million will be enough to bring Jaime Valdes to the Ennio Tardini permanently, while Jonathan Biabiany’s move could be turned into a co-ownership deal with Serie B Sampdoria. Sergio Floccari would stay for a fee of €5.5 million, although whether owner Tommaso Ghirardi would be willing to fork out such a fee for a 30-year-old is another matter.

It is evident that the temporary foundations on which this squad has been built will have to be strengthened in the summer. Recent results have suggested that there’s some reason for optimism for Parma supporters, who are no doubt hoping that rather than replacing loanees, clauses are activated for permanent moves.

A lot, of course, will be decided on the funds which Ghirardi has available, which would likely be boosted by a few million should Giovinco move on. If this money is re-invested wisely then perhaps the  formica atomica‘s departure wouldn’t be so disastrous after all.

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