After analyzing the transfer market of the top Italian clubs (based on last season’s results) in Part One, followed by the mid-table teams in Part Two, it’s now time for the third and last part of The Cult of Calcio’s transfer ratings, as we’ll take a look at the sides who just avoided relegation last season, as well as the three newly promoted clubs.
Sampdoria
Despite not spending too much money, Several players arrived at Sampdoria to bolster president Massimo Ferrero’s side, with young Scandinavians Mikkel Damsgaard and Kristoffer Askilden being their most expensive signings. Antonio Candreva and Adrien Silva are two recognizable names that will add some much needed experience to the squad, while Keita Balde could be the Blucerchiati’s biggest coup of the summer. On the other hand, Karol Linetty, Ronaldo Vieira, and Fabio Depaoli are among the most noticeable departures.
Transfers Rating – 6.5/10
While losing Linetty could harm Sampdoria’s midfield, Adrien Silva is a more than capable replacement, and the additions of Keita and Candreva will offer a new dimension to Claudio Ranieri’s squad.
Torino
It’s been a summer of changes at Torino, as the appointment of manager Marco Gianpaolo sparked numerous arrivals and departures. Although some key players from last season have left the club – including Alex Berenguer, Iago Falque, Ola Aina, Lorenzo De Silvestri, Kevin Bonifazi, and Koffi Djidji, they have been replaced with the likes of Karol Linetty, Ricardo Rodriguez, Nicola Murru, Federico Bonazzoli and Mërgim Vojvoda.
Transfers Rating – 6/10
Deciding whether Torino’s squad this season is an improvement on last season or not is a debatable decision, but it does seem that the Granata are trying to adapt to Giampaolo’s new formation which is a positive sign.
Genoa
It’s the usual wheeler dealers transfer campaign that we witness every summer at Genoa. Rolando Maran is the Grifone’s new coach and the new signings include Davide Zappacosta, Marko Pjaca, Luca Pellegrini, Eldor Shomurodov, Francesco Cassata, Gabriel Charpentier, Milan Badelj, Mattia Destro, Mattia Bani, Filippo Melegoni, Miha Zajc, and Lennart Czyborra.
Transfers Rating – 7/10
Even though Genoa continues to suffer from the lack of consistency in their squad, the club were in dire need of such a transfer campaign that might significantly improve the quality of the side.
Benevento
Benevento already had an impressive squad that dominated the Serie B last season, but still worked hard during the summer as they added some more-established Serie A players to the squad in the form of Kamil Glik, Gianluca Lapadula, Gianluca Caprari, Bryan Dabo, and Artur Ionita.
Transfers Rating – 7/10
Some would argue that more signings were needed to help the club in swiftly accommodating to the top-tier, but Filippo Inzaghi’s side might have found the right balance in maintaining the squad that brought them success last season, while adding just enough new arrivals for one transfer campaign.
Crotone
Unlike Benevento, Crotone decided to roll the dice this summer by signing a host of new players, risking to destabilize the squad’s balance in the process. The new arrivals to the Serie B runners-up include Luis Rojas, Jacopo Petriccione, Luca Marrone, Koffi Djidji, Emmanuel Riviere, Sebastiano Luperto, Andrea Rispoli, and Luca Cigarini.
Transfers Rating – 6.5/10
While some of Crotone’s signings will definitely come handy in adding some Serie A experience to the new comers, especially the likes of Cigarini and Djidji, this large number of signings had previously caused some issues within the squad with several newly promoted clubs in the past.
Spezia
Last but not least, Spezia decided to crash into the transfer market with style, as they made some eyebrow raising signings, including the likes of Daniele Verde, Nahuel Estévez, Jacopo Sala, Federico Mattiello, Tomasso Pobega, and PSV goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet.
Transfers Rating – 7/10
The minnows have made some quality signings that were considered essential for their survival in their first season in Serie A, mixing young prospects with some more experienced names, creating a decent squad that should be worth keeping an eye on.