Palermo have completed the signing of impressive Argentine Javier Pastore from Argentine side Huracan on a five year deal. Its been reported that he apparently turned down offers from Manchester United, Inter Milan and Arsenal to join the Southern side. This is a great move for Palermo, it will take the whole creative burden off Trequartista Miccoli and allow him to play upfront with Palermo's star player last season, Edison Cavani who registered 14 league goals. With Pastore in the side, expect Cavani's total to increase.
Can Palermo really challenge for the league?
Last week former Inter legend and new Palermo coach Walter Zenga stated he wanted Palermo to win the Scudetto. It would seem a ridiculous claim, but after Genoa's progression last season every midtable side now is looking to take the step to the next level. For me, Palermo would do well to make European football, especially with Genoa, Napoli and Lazio all looking stronger and not to mention the usual top of the table contingent. Who knows though, if they start the season well then anything is possible.
Nedved to retire, from Serie A
Pavel Nedved will no longer grace the stadiums of the Italian league. The 36 year old has hung up his boots on Italian soil for the last time, leaving offers from Lazio, Inter and a management capacity job from Juventus on the table. The link to Inter was surprising given the hatred between them and Juventus and would have damaged a brilliant legacy at Juventus, without doubt one of the world's biggest clubs. However, all that is irrelevant now and it has been suggested that Nedved may continue playing on in either the MLS or the United Arab Emirates.
Without doubt, one of the best players, if not perhaps the best in some peoples eyes, that the world has seen in the last 15 years or so. As a player he was complete. He had a vicious shot, with either foot, and was great in the air. He had a tireless work rate, and was not shy to the odd heavy tackle or two. He lifted the much coveted Ballon'dor in 2003, despite being suspended for the Champions League final that year against AC Milan. One can't help but wonder what would have been in that match had he played, and it certainly would have been much more difficult for Milan to have won. Still, he did taste European success with Lazio in the last edition of the Cup Winners Cup in 1999, with him of course scoring the winning goal from outside the area, and again later that year in the European Super Cup against Manchester United where his side Lazio ran out 1-0 winners. When he moved to Juve to replace Zidane as the midfield architect, many were not convinced. Yet he filled the great mans boots greatly, leading Juve to two straight Scudetto's in 2002 and 2003 to end the dominance of the Rome clubs, something Zidane could not do. Still, all good things come to an end. Good buy Pavel, thanks for the memories. Brazilian wonder Diego now replaces Nedved. He is certainly up to the task and is a very similar player. Will we speak of him in the same vein in ten years time?
The best of Pavel Nedved
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KABU2jT4fA&feature=fvsr
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLljrAi8cOE
Image: Pavel Lebeda
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