Wednesday, August 25

Diamanti's not forever

So we've sold Allesandro Diamanti to Brescia for £1.8 million (rising to £2 million if they stay up). Not a great deal considering we paid £6 million for him a year ago. Although it's no surprise as early on Sullivan indicated he saw Diamanti's signing as an act of folly by the old regime.

Diamanti had many faults, such as not tackling back and drifting out of games and shooting from every conceivable angle, but I'm not sure he should have been discarded. Class is hard to come by and he was the best dead ball kicker and crosser at the club.

He had a great record at penalties and scored some memorable goals from open play including two fine efforts against Bolton, one against Arsenal in the Cup and a stunning free kick against Birmingham. Remember how he turned the game against Arsenal from 0-2 to 2-2 after coming on as a sub? And his backheel against Man City to set up Boa Morte?

Yes, he was a show pony, but he had more creativity than anyone in the current side. And yes, we'd have been better off keeping James Collins last season.

But Diamanti could still have contributed as an impact substitute this season and with the side floundering after two league games it seems a little premature to be discarding someone who can unlock Premier League defences.

2 comments:

justin said...

So very true. I think if he had've been on the pitch against Oxford he would have been able to play that needed ball through the defence, or land it on the head/toe of our strikers.

Pete May said...

Yep, as it is we have lots of hardworking midfielders but no-one who can produce the unexpected...