Manchester United should sign Antonio Cassano
Il Talentino de Bari’s recent troubles with his current club UC Sampdoria are no secrets. If anything, they have been well documented by the press. The Italian International failed to appear at a club event despite presidential orders. President Riccardo
Garrone was furious with the forward and the two had a much publicised training ground bust-up. What exactly happened between the two is still up for speculation but it was enough for Garrone to apply for termination of the forward’s contract. Even though
Cassano publicly apologised for his behaviour, Garrone has decided to stick with his decision. The two parties now await a verdict from the Italian football governing body.
Regardless of the outcome, whether the court rules in favour or against the player; Cassano will leave the club sooner than later. The relationship between Garrone and the talented forward has gone beyond repairs and the president’s subsequent attack on
Cassano’s personal life will have done little to revive their partnership. There is little doubt that Cassano is one of the most gifted players of his generation and his spells with AS Bari, AS Roma and Sampdoria bear testimony to this statement. Il Talentino
has a long list of admirers both in the peninsula and abroad. Juventus and Inter Milan are long standing admirers of his qualities but the two clubs have decided to distance themselves in the wake of disciplinary issues.
Enter Manchester United into the picture. Owing much to a strong British media and excellent marketing over the years, Red Devils are the most popular club on the planet. With a Champions League trophy won as recently as 2008, Manchester United are no strangers
to success. It has been frequently said that Cassano should move to a club worthy of his services. There isn’t a club bigger than Manchester United in the Premier League. Cassano is predominantly a left sided player – despite being right footed – and his signature
will be the ideal replacement for legendary Welsh winger, Ryan Giggs. In fact, Cassano is whole lot more versatile than the Manchester United legend. With technical ability beyond imagination, Cassano can play as a winger, a forward and not to mention the
esteemed trequartista role.
The only things that will put-off interest from bigger clubs are Cassano’s poor temperament and much publicised childish antics. With Sir Alex Ferguson leading the 1 billion dollar club, Red Devils’ faithful need not worry about such petty issues. The legendary
tactician has managed to discipline the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and not to forget the notorious Eric Cantona. If there is one manager who can manage Antonio Cassano, it’s certainly Mr. Ferguson.
A player of Cassano’s calibre will never come cheap. In an inflated market ruled by the Spanish duo of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, a player of Talentino’s pedigree will easily fetch a transfer fee in the region of 25 million Euros, at the least. However,
since Cassano will be a free agent in the January transfer window, United will be able to sign the forward for nothing, absolutely nothing. Goran Pandev had a similar problem with SS Lazio and the court ruled in his favour. Needless to say, the Macedonian
won a historic treble with Nerazzuri in a six month period. Cassano’s case is different in that he is cup-tied and won’t be able appear in the Champions League. However, he is 10 times the player Pandev will ever be.
Sir Alex Ferguson has forged himself a reputation for making inspired signings in the past – remember Peter Schmeichel? The legendary Scotsman can do it again with Cassano. The likes of Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov will relish the brilliant assists
Cassano is capable of producing. The player might be cup-tied but his acquisition will add a tide-changing weapon to United’s arsenal. Should Manchester United manage to sign the mercurial forward, they will be clear favourites for the Premier League title.
With club’s hovering over the player like vultures chasing a prey, Cassano will be snapped up the day he is let go by Samdporia. Manchester United should act now and act smart.
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