Friday 9 October 2015

#TeamFeghouli - vai Piero!

Though I hate transfer rumors in the middle of October - I read something this morning that made me feel all warm and cuddly inside - that Inter are interested in signing Sofiane Feghouli from Valencia in January. Thohir did hint that Inter would be buying in January, so I thought this was a good enough reason to let my mind wander (when I should be spending my time on more important things, obviously) and fantasize about how Feghouli would fit into our team. 
*Disclaimer - there is still no indication that Inter is interested, it's only the media talking. Even worse, it's Tuttosport talking. But bear with me.

Ok, so basically - a couple of reasons why I would love to have Feghouli at Inter.

First of all - he wouldn't be expensive. He should fit our parameters. His contract is expiring this summer, which means that Valencia can't ask for much money (Merdasport announced that the price would be ~5m euro). Our mission now should be to convince him not to sign a new contract with Valencia and to choose to leave this winter for a team that will accommodate him right away and where a player of his profile would be more than welcome. Apart from this, Lim's alleged friendship with Moratti should make things easier.

He would also reportedly be highly appreciated by a world class coach like Mancini (who should be picking his phone up as I'm writing this). Considering that Mancini likes his players hard working and physically strong and resilient - Feghouli should fit the picture just fine.
Another reason to buy Feghouli is that he is only 25 years old.

He's also got a French passport which means that the non-EU rule would not be a problem.
Then, he's a very good player and would fit perfectly into our system. Mancini has been hesitant in adopting 4231 and has said that he could do it later on in the season. If he uses it now, one of his wingers won't be making the necessary defensive contribution to cover for the lateral space in midfield and help out our incomplete full backs (they're decent, especially Telles, but not complete).

Feghouli, like Perisic, is a very hard working player. He runs around a lot and helps out the team in the defensive phase. Also, like Perisic, Feghouli is a player that plays with both feet (and if necessary on both sides), which is massively important for a wide player, as he can both cross and cut inside to take shots. He is also good in aerial duels, which makes us a threat from both sides of the pitch, as the wingers would be able to help Icardi out in finishing off each other's crosses (though Feghouli is not as good at crossing as Perisic, his passing and vision are still decent).
He's not quite as fast as Perisic, but still has pace.

Having 2 wingers like Perisic and Feghouli is just enough to give the necessary muscle to cover the wide spaces in what is an already impressively strong midfield made up ideally of Melo and Kondogbia. Effectively, in the defensive phase the team would form a kind of a 4411.
Our current problem in the 3 man midfield of not having anyone creative to move the ball around would be alleviated in 4231, since the ball would move a lot more on the flanks (taken over by Feghouli and Perisic), and of course, the main creative outlet of the team would be expected from Stevan Jovetic (meaning the creative center of the team would move further up the pitch), who would move into the channels to pick up the ball and instantly carve up space for Icardi in front of him or for one of the wingers cutting inside or waiting out wide. The only problem here is that Jovetic will take a lot of beating this way, because once the ball reaches him, with all the options that open up everywhere, the opposition will have to be very quick to cut him down. I'd keep Ljajic around, just in case.

Also, the quality of width in the 4231 and the fact that Jojo will surely have someone on himself at all times - will also release space in which Kondogbia can burst in to take shots. 

All in all - I believe he'd be a fantastic addition and can't think of many realistic targets that would fit in better with our team. Let's see if the situation develops, but I'd love to see Feghouli at Inter.

Vai Piero! 

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