Stephen Maio

What is the most important aspect for a player to be successful when joining a new club? Certainly the talent and mindset make a real case, but they are hardly ever the only factors. The situation he is presented with, the coaching staff and the atmosphere are just some of the many X factors that can lead to a player’s resurgence of form, or better yet, a breakout season. While all ten of these players changed clubs, some found it easy to return to their previous form of years past while others exploded. These are the top ten signings in Serie A that have worked out in favour of the buyer this season.

1. Marco Borriello, Genoa CFC – Who knew that when Genoa CFC signed for half the ownership of Marco Borriello, he would explode on the scene like he has this season? A once considered bust with a drug suspension on his record, Borriello has finally delivered on the promise he held since he was a youth player. AC Milan were happy to dispense of him for a measly €1.3 million, and with their striking problems this season, may now wish they had held onto this guy. Currently sitting atop the scoring charts with an impressive 19 goals in 30 Serie A contests, he has helped the Grifone to safety while simultaneously placing himself onto the fringes of Roberto Donadoni’s Italy squad with a real shot at going to Euro 2008. Quite a remarkable turnaround indeed, and in terms of “bang for your buck”, Genoa takes the cake with this one.

2. Alexandre Pato, AC Milan – Who can argue with this transfer? AC Milan beat off a host of big clubs to win his signature in what some believe to be the ‘move’ of the off-season and considering his preference for the Rossoneri, may have actually paid less then what Chelsea or Inter Milan maybe would have. The player hasn’t fallen short of expectations and has dazzled the crowd in his shortened season. A player of his caliber was always going to cost a considerable amount, but with the promise he brings he will definitely repay Milan quickly.

3. Antonio Cassano, Sampdoria – Never lacking in entertainment, his young career is very well known to many who follow the sport despite his lack of accomplishments. The risk factor was rather low for a mid-table club like Sampdoria, who paid a discount fee to Real Madrid for the striker, but this signing always seemed to have the making a car accident waiting to happen. One of the seasons biggest storylines from the start, the return of ‘Fantantonio’ to Italian soccer had many double sided as to which Cassano would show up for the Genoa outfit, the one that had Azzurri fans on the edge of their seat at Euro 2004, or the petulant baby who feuded with every coach possible and spent the tail end of his Roma career gaining weight on the bench.

Many would argue his season hasn’t been a very good one, missing considerable time with sporadic injuries and suspensions for offensive conduct, but mostly those are not Sampdoria fans. To the Blucerchiati faithful he has been what they were hoping he could be for the time he has been on the field, showing the dominant displays that had him marked as the best Italian youth at one point. His 8 goals in 18 matches have helped Sampdoria hang onto into a UEFA Cup place this season. He has fallen short of Roberto Donadoni’s consideration for Euro 2008, but just maybe if he continues his maturity, there may be room for South Africa in 2010.

4. Christian Vieri, Fiorentina – How many scoffed or laughed when the Viola announced his signature? It has been a gutsy season for the veteran striker who was once the world’s most expensive player and one of the planet’s deadliest strikers. He had it rough right from the start of his arrival, having to endure boos from a small partisan crowd that showed up to his official press release. Vieri made many sacrifices to return to this level, working diligently to recover from the horrendous knee injury he suffered in May 2006 and shedding over 20 pounds this off-season in an attempt to resurrect his career. Funny for a player who has a reputation for loving the nightlife and women the sport attracts more then the sport itself, it has been the commitment he has displayed that has gotten him to where he is today. ‘Bobo’ has brought it to every game, being the complete embodiment of a team first attitude.

He understood his window for contribution from his arrival, never speaking out about a lack of playing time and has helped young striker Gianpaolo Pazzini further advance his promising career. His presence on the bench and on the pitch have factored into a phenomenal season for Fiorentina, helping them deep into the UEFA Cup and currently sitting in a Champions League qualifying place for next season. They took a chance on the guy when nobody else would, but Cesare Prandelli knew what he had in Vieri from the start, and now the many who were present and booed his arrival are the same ones who sit in the stands and cheer his goals.

5. Matteo Sereni, Torino FC – The goalkeeper has been one of the few bright spots in a thus far dismal season for Torino. No longer confined to the bench or Angelo Peruzzi’s shadow at Lazio, after he was allowed to leave on a free transfer, Sereni has been one the league’s best keepers this season and in my opinion deserves to have a place in the Italy squad for Euro 2008. While free will always be a bargain in this world, this one really paid off for Torino.

6. Fabio Quagliarella, Udinese – Winning a blind auction for the player during an off-season tug-of-war with Sampdoria has been a blessing for Udinese this campaign. He has continued his form from the previous year spent in Genoa and has done his best to help the fans forget about the departure of Vincenzo Iaquinta. An impressive strike rate and an even more impressive strike partnership with team captain and fellow Italian international Antonio Di Natale has made Quagliarella a fan favourite and future player to watch.

7. Ludovic Giuly, AS Roma – The second AS Roma player in the top ten, the Giallorossi made a nice move to quickly grab the veteran who had fallen out of favour at Barcelona. Guily brought pace and experience to side while doubling as a nice attacking alternative to Roderigo Taddei and fitting well within Spalletti’s tactical system. His fresh legs off the bench have so far brought a return of 5 goals in 27 appearances in Serie A. For a €4.5 million fee, he seems to have been a fine purchase.

8. Juan, AS Roma – Renowned for all their offensive firepower, AS Roma made a major signing in getting this Brazilian centre back over from German side Bayer Leverkusen. He has helped solidify the often suspicious Roman defence this season and formed a nice partnership with Philippe Mexes. A two-time Copa America winner and veteran of the Brazilian national team, he has been a vital part to the Giallorossi’s fantastic campaign, scoring a few goals along the way.

9. Marek Hamsik, Napoli – Napoli unearthed a gem when they poached this kid from Serie B outfit Brescia for €5.5 million. The 20 year-old Slovak midfielder has been in outstanding form during his breakout season and likened to hero Pavel Nedved for his performances this campaign. He has been one of the anchors in an impressive year for Napoli with 6 goals in 20 Serie A appearances, and with Juventus reportedly interested, his purchase seems a lot like an investment, as he is sure to sell for much higher in the future should Napoli make that decision.

10. Hasan Salihamidzic, Juventus – It was a Bosman move that actually allowed this Bosnian to move from long time former club Bayern Munich to Juventus. The two clubs actually agreed to this deal months before the summer transfer window even opened, with Bayern Munich allowing their veteran midfielder to leave on a free transfer. While not viewed as a major signing by any means at the start of the season, Salihamidzic has been a sturdy player for most of this campaign. Flexible in either right midfield or at right back he has managed to stay relatively free of injury, and with 4 goals in 26 games in Serie A this season, including a recent double against AC Milan, his free price tag really has him looking like a bargain.