Clear-Out as Fabio Throws Out Nine
Fabio Cannavaro has shocked Roma and football fans alike by offloading 9 Roma players, some of whom have been club stalwarts. Some Roma die hards have took to the streets in protest of Cannavaro's decision but many football fans feel he has made the right decision.
The first of the players offloaded is 25 year old centre back Leandro Castan to Inter for £3.2 million. This one has caused controversy as Roma and Inter very rarely do business together and some of the AS Roma Loyal feel aggrieved at this "stupid" decision by Fabio.
Also out is bad boy right back Matteo Brighi to Cagliari. This departure doesn't shock anyone after Matteo smashed up his own manager Fabio Cannavaros car, and then declared his reason why as "Keep Rome Pure." Some radical Roma fans jumped on the "Brighi Bandwagon" and Fabio has had the slogan "Keep Rome Pure" spray painted on his house.
His Window Cleaner has been working overtime.
Another player who has been thrown out is giant striker Pablo Osvaldo. The huge Italian was transfer listed after he punched Erik Lamela in training and Borrussia Dortmund swooped to sign the temperamental striker for a huge £17.5 million fee.
Also having left the club is aging Argentinean centre back, Nicolas Burdisso. Burdisso, 31 was deemed surplus to requirements by Fabio, having only joined last year. Due to the signings of Astori and Benattia, Burdisso no longer had a place in the first team and Fabio thought it was in the interest of everyone that he moved on.
Next Greek right back Vasillis Torosidis was moved on after the signings of Sime Vrsasljko and Sebastian Corchia, along with Maicon who was already at the club. Vasillis was sold to LAZIO for £3.5 million and this deal has angered the Roma fans. They were out in force the night he left, egging his car and screaming abuse at him. Police managed to contain the damage
but did nothing to prevent them targeting him..
In addition to this Italian Left Back Federico Balzaretti also departed the club, joining Leverkusen in a deal thought to be worth £8 million. The Left back joined under the regime of the previous manager, Rudi Garcia, and was evidently not a part of Cannavaro's plans, so was moved on.
Also another aging player in Alberto Gillardino was moved on for a fee of £4.1 million to Torino having also joined under the regime of Rudi Garcia just a few weeks ago. Like Balzaretti, Gillardino was deemed as not needed and was moved on to mid table Torino.
Finally utility player, Marquinho was moved on to Torino also for a fee of £3.6 million. The versatile player, who joined from Fluminese, also under the Garcia reign, was again not seen as a viable first team option for Fabio Cannavaro so was sold.
All of these players were either not needed or were too much of a nuisance to be regarded as a player for the club. Despite this we hope every single one of them the best at their new respective clubs.
Except Matteo Brighi, we don't really care what happens to him.
By Paolo Malderossi, Sports Writer.
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