FIORENTINA: Where to next for the viola?

The club with perhaps the coolest shirts in Serie A have had another solid season and have, in my view at least, finally got back to the level that they were showing before financial ruin in 2002. It must have been a hard pill to swallow for the Viola faitful when they were renamed Florentia Viola especially after a decent period during the 90s where they were reguarly in contention for the title, won two Coppa Italia's, saw countless epical goals from Batistuta and beat both Manchester United and Arsenal in the Champions League.

Still, the season just passed was a pretty decent one for them. 4th again in the League, some great performances including the 4-1 rout of Roma, and the discovery of Stefan Jovetic suggests a positive future for the Viola. But just how positive? Its a well know fact that Prandelli dreams of a Scudetto in Florence, but with the demands of the Champions League and Coppa Italia tournaments as well is this a realistic demand. Currently it is not. They were not consistent enough for me last season, and need a few more additions before they can consider themselves Challengers at all. Take into consideration that Serie A will be much harder next year with Inter, a revamped Milan and a reborn Juventus, as well as a Champions League deprived Roma and developing sides in Lazio, Genoa and Napoli, then Fiorentina need to act fast.


What do they need to do?

No doubt about it, they must keep Felipe Melo. Wanted all across Europe, and for good reason, the Brazilian International has had an excellent season in Serie A demonstrating a great all round game from defence to attack. What Fiorentina should be able to rely upon is the continued development of Kuzmanovic and Montolivo and of course the 19 year old revelation Stefan Jovetic who certainly looks like one for the future.

Fiorentina do however need a quality centre back to partner Italian International Gamberini and perhaps also a quality right back as well. Nicolas Burdisso is know to be on his way out of the San Siro and his Champions League and International experience could add to the quality of the Fiorentina side. Additionally, Bayerns Massimo Oddo is looking to reignite his career and could also help out. Another forward is need also, perhaps Lucarelli or Julio Cruz could perform off the bench whilst also getting the opportunity to play in the Champions League.

Additions like this would add great depth to this Fiorentina side and perhaps could end a drought of seven years without a trophy in some shape or form.