The worst January Serie A signings of the last 7 years
Let’s find out who are the seven worst January signings of all time.
MARCIO AMORSO (from San Paolo to AC Milan, January 2006) – The former Udinese star joined the San Siro trying to help the Rossoneri to win the Scudetto, which was eventually lifted by Juventus. Amoroso played four games, starting once and scoring twice (both from the spot) against Roma, when the Serie A title had already took the path to Turin. At the end of the season he cancelled his contract to come back to Brazil, where he’s currently living and working as Serie A football commentator.
FRANCESCO COCO (from Inter to Torino, January 2007) – That January Milan signed Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani joined Palermo and Giuseppe Rossi went to Parma. Coco made only three appearances with the Granata who were involved in the survival race. He retired in September 2007. He is now an entrepreneur living in Dubai.
MANICHE (from Atletico Madrid to Inter, January 2008) – The former Portuguese International had thrived under José Mourinho at Porto and joined Roberto Mancini’s side making only four appearances. Overall, he was an useless signing that added nothing to the Nerazzurri squad, which was already the best team of the league. He scored against Juventus, true, but he was not selected in the decisive game of the Scudetto race against Parma at the Tardini.
JESUS DATOLO (from Boca Juniors to Napoli, January 2009) – The only memory that Napoli fans have of him is the away goal to Juventus that helped the Partenopei beating the Bianconeri. He was supposed to be revelation as he joined the San Paolo for € 9 million but he struggled with playing time both under Edoardo Reja and Roberto Donadoni. He’s currently playing for Atletico Mineiro, in Brazil.
FEDERICO MACHEDA (from Manchester United to Sampdoria, January 2011) – The Italian striker seemed predestined to make big things since when he was playing at the Old Trafford. Eventually, he was one of the biggest flop in Serie A as he joined Sampdoria from the Red Devils. Macheda should had fill the boots of Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini, but he failed to cope with pressure. During his six months spell at the Marassi, he scored only one goal (in Coppa Italia) and Samp were relegated at the end of the season. Macheda is 24 today and plays for Cardiff City (English Championship).
NICHOLAS ANELKA (from Shanghai Shenhua to Juventus, January 2013) – He arrived to replace another big flop at the Stadium: Lord Nicklas Bentdner. Benchwarmer under Antonio Conte, the Italian gaffer played him for just 55 minutes in six months time. Today Anelka plays for Mumbai City, India.
ELDER POSTIGA (from Valencia to Lazio, January 2014) – Joined the Biancocelesti in the deadline day and failed to score one single goal in the only five games that he played at the Olimpico. He joined Deportivo La Coruna at the end of the season and today he is a player of Atletico Calcutta, India.
Alessanro Di Gioia (AleDigio89), translated by Lorenzo Bettoni (@lorebetto)
