There’s no doubting Genoa are a team that attempts to better itself in every transfer mercato. At least on the surface.
Much like last summer, last January and the summer prior, Genoa have again submerged themselves into the transfer market to improve their squad. Though it would appear the club is attempting to improve, most of the moves are just a team spinning its wheels.
Four players have already come in with more rumoured to be in the pipeline – though it seems players are wary about moving to the Marassi these days. Many of the changes have been fuelled by the October change in manager, though it seems we can always credit managerial changes with the reason Genoa move players in and out.
In actuality, it’s not always the pursuit of la salvezza that influences the club’s transfers. Rather, it’s the club looking to improve their profit. Of the four players that Genoa have brought in thus far, three are older Serie A veterans with less value than those players moved out in the past few weeks.
Matuzalem, frozen out at Lazio, has definitely improved the club’s young midfield. Meanwhile, right back Eros Pisano has added experience to the team’s defence; though Mario Sampirisi was quickly becoming a solid performer at fullback. And it looks like Sampirisi is now on his way to Atalanta on a loan before buy basis.
Sampirisi looks likely to be another promising Genoa player to be cashed in on.
Last week, Genoa signed defender Thomas Manfredini in a swap deal with Atalanta for Michele Canini. Manfredini, five years older than Canini, has already shown to be a poor replacement for the previously excellent Canini.
Genoa gave up two goals to Cagliari over the weekend after dominating the opening 60 minutes of the game. Despite the poor defending, Genoa had every chance to win this match, but like a team fighting relegation, luck wasn’t on their side.
There is another aspect that should worry every Genoa supporter than the team’s profit-first transfer policy and their woeful defending over the weekend. That aspect is the injuries that continue to affect the club. Both Juan Manuel Vargas and Ciro Immobile, the club’s two best players in recent time, missed the trip to Sardinia. Without both players, Genoa lacked the creativity the team showed at the end of 2012 and beginning of 2013.
Vargas is set to be out for a month after going off at halftime against Bologna two weeks ago. The Peruvian has spent much of the year on the sidelines and has only featured in nine games, contributing one assist. A stat that doesn’t reflect his excellent play.
But just as Genoa’s supporters should worry about the loss of Vargas, they should also be worried about Serie A survival. Now with the club back in the relegation zone and several difficult games on the horizon, relegation is becoming more and more of a reality.
Gilardino’s time at Genoa didn’t go as planned, influencing the club’s decision to loan him to Bologna this season.
This time last year, Genoa signed striker Alberto Gilardino, whom improved the team’s all-around play. But after a strong start to his Genoa career, Gilardino suffered a calf injury that sidelined him for over a month. Without the Italian – and once he returned – the club struggled for the remainder of the season.
Without Vargas, and possibly Immobile this season, the club could find themselves in a similar situation. La Salvezza will become more difficult in the coming months unless Genoa can find an adequate substitute to fill the roles Vargas or Immobile occupy. But what is needed more, is another creative winger that can compliment these two stars.
Two points now separate the club from safety, but with Catania, Juventus and Lazio up next, the club could find themselves set for relegation by late-February. It would be the icing on the cake for a team that has been poorly run over the last two seasons.
Follow Drew Farmer on Twitter @CalcioFarmer, Drew also hosts the Forzaitalianfootball.com weekly Club Focus podcast and writes his own personal football and travel blog at Excellent Adventure/Bogus Journey.
