Rumours and Signings While Aldo Spinelli Is In Africa

By: Marco | January 5th, 2008

It’s a new year and Livorno are still in the fight for one more year of salvation. What surprises await the Labronici faithful for this Transfer window? I don’t think we’re a going to see that many purchases being made by our favourite burgundy coloured Tuscan team. Mister Spinelli has gone off and said that he wants to sell Livorno. He’s had enough, he’s old and Football isn’t the same anymore but he’ll be leaving Livorno in Serie A. His statement was collected in the lovely Republic of Mauritius, west of Madagascar. What is he doing there? Trying to convince Vikash Dhorasoo’s family they owe him some money for their son’s botched Livorno stint?

Aldo is a man that should be judged on his actions and not on the things he says. He changes his mind every 15 seconds. Just 4 months ago, Spinelli announced his grand plan to invest in the youth sector, the infrastructures and the front offices, he wants to build a type of ‘’Livornello’’. Is Aldo serious, or is this just his way of saying to not expect to much out of the winter transfer market? Let’s take this news with a grain of salt and see what transpires.

Livorno has now officially made their first purchase of the January transfer season. It was no secret at all that Sidny Festosa do Santos, a diminutive Brazilian full back, has put pen to paper on a 3 year agreement. He’ll be tied to Livorno until 2011. The 26 year old Sidny helped out Naùtico of the Brazilian league to a historical 15th spot.

For a couple of highlights and goals you can head on here.(Bottom of post)
The Livorno website has officialised the deal, but no official numbers have been released

Martha said it best yesterday :

•In an effort to strengthen their push to survive, Livorno have bought Sidny Feitosa Dos Santos from Brazilian side Naùtico, where he’s been on loan from co-owners Salgueiro. He’s 27, a wingback, and goes by the single name of “Sidny,” a fact that, all by itself, pretty much makes him my favorite Livorno player. He also scores a fair number of goals (10 in 89 matches) for a back, so he might just bring some creativity to the Commies. And, even if he doesn’t, he only cost about € 25,000 so, even for Livorno, the risk isn’t great.

Like Martha says, at 25,000 that’s a good gamble. Livorno desperately needed to have a back up for Mr. Davide Balleri. The 39 year old won’t be able to patrol the right flank for long. Mr. Dos Santos signed the bottom line of a contract that ties him to Livorno for the next 3 years. Sidny hasn’t played a competitive game since January 2nd and has been training with the team. I just hope that he can defend on well, because if he can’t close down the right flank ¸à la Balleri, he won’t be helping out at all, even if he has a knack for goal. Let’s see what he looks like on a Serie A pitch before we jump to any conclusions.

Livorno has maybe filled one of the most obvious needs this squad had. The left flank needs some back up as well. Giovanni Pasquale is playing well but if he goes down, Livorno are screwed. Left Footed Lithuanian Left Back Paulauskas, hasn’t convinced anybody on the staff enough to earn a contract yet. Camolese isn’t impressed at all so even if the Lithuanian NT member gets a look, he is definitely not the answer to Livorno’s depth problem. Unfortunately, U-21 stud, Rannochia seems to be destined for purpler pastures

The Labronici obviously need some help in midfield and maybe 2 other defenders. The Amaranto can kiss the vision of a an Attack includin Zampagna goodbye, seeing how he’s in Vicenza and all. The attack is adequate enough Tavano, Tristan, Bogdani, Rossini, Diamanti and Volpe. In fact 1 or 2 strikers might even be sold.

Tavano and Tristan are going nowhere and Diamanti fits perfectly in the new 4-3-1-2 system Camolese has been working on in training.

So Who’s Moving?Alvarez, Rossini, Volpe and Rezaei are more than likely destined to exit ;

Edgar Alvarez has drawn interest from Mantova.The Roma owned Honduran has seen little time since the arrival of saviour Camolese.

Grosseto, Piacenza and Spezia have all requested Fausto Rossini, but he absolutely wants to stay in Serie A

Francesco Volpe has seen no meaningful playing time at all and is destined for some Serie B pitch time. Ravenna or Modena are said to be interested

Massimo Loviso, who has been pjushed to the bench with the emergence of Martin Bergvold and Daniele ‘’ DDV ‘’ De Vezze, is considering going down to Serie B. If he does so, Lecce, Bari, Chievo and Modena will be glad to talk.

Woeful Iranian defender Rezaei is being shopped around to Serie B clubs with a ‘’must go now’ sign. Modena, Brescia and Archrivals Pisa have been looking around.

Speaking of Pisa and their nasty Nerazzurri shirts, they want Nico Pulzetti as well. Coach Ventura liked the kid back in his Verona days. Pulzetti is not moving. He’s one of the good options in midfield.

Chievo have asked about Erjon Bogdani, the Verona based team needs to fill Obinna’s shoes during the African Cup. GC Camolese likes Bogdani a lot , and after what Livorno went through to capture him on the last day of the Transfer Season this summer, Erjon The Big Bad Albanian is staying put.

Marco Amelia has been linked with Barcelona, but that’s a whole other post

Dario Knezevic’s excellent play this season has opened the eyes of Juventus, Milan and Genoa. But the young Croat will be playing solidly in the back 4 during the month of May. We’ll see then and there.

Who’s coming in?

Unfortunately the Arrivals board isn’t has full as the Departures one. Not many name names have been heard to be coming in.

With all the players Modena seem to want from Livorno, there’s one that might interest the Amaranto. Alex Pinardi a 27 year old midfielder is being considered by the Labronici to help out in Midfield. He’s just one of many options…

Some voices suggest that Livorno are interested in As Roma’s token Romanian player Adrian Pit. The former Swiss Second Division non factor has played half a game ( and a crappy one, might I add) in the Coppa Italia. I’m not sure why, seeing how Livorno don’t really need a winger and Edgar Alvarez hasn’t been used in the Camolese system so far.

I’ll be weighing in on the whole Livorno for Sale thing soon…