"Calcio Fever" is your Bleacher Report guide to the news of Italian football.
The transfer window has now passed, but a lot of excellent deals were completed this summer. This is my top 10 list:
10. Olof Mellberg (Aston Villa to Juventus)
The Swedish central defender signed for Juventus from Aston Villa on a free transfer. Considering he signed for no fee and will be an important part in Juve's defense, Mellberg's signing is one of the best in Serie A this summer.
9. Marco Amelia (Livorno to Palermo)
One of the best young Italian goalkeepers of Serie A, Amelia left recently relegated Livorno and signed for Palermo. He will offer Palermo the safe hands they want on goal.
8. Sulley Muntari (Portsmouth to Inter)
The £16 million signing qualifies for No. 8. He is one of the top signings this summer and will fit very well in Jose Mourinho's 4-3-3 formation.
7. Matthieu Flamini (Arsenal to Milan)
Flamini joined Milan on a free transfer from Arsenal. The talented midfielder is surely one of the best summer acquisitions.
6. Julio Baptista (Real Madrid to Roma)
Baptista comes to a very good team. However, since Roma do not have many striking options, he will be an integral part of Roma's title push.
5. Amauri (Palermo to Juventus)
The talented Brazilian striker is a deadly finisher who is also impressive with the ball at his feet. Amauri is an impressive header of the ball in front of the goal.
4. Antonio Cassano (Real Madrid to Sampdoria)
Cassano was very impressive last season when he joined Sampdoria on loan in August last year. This summer, he signed on a permanent basis. Cassano played excellently in his first match this year with Sampdoria against Inter, and will undoubtedly guide Sampdoria to a good place this season.
3. Alberto Gilardino (Milan to Fiorentina)
Fiorentina fans lost a hero when Luca Toni left Italy and signed for German outfit Bayern Munich last summer. However, Gilardino fell out-of-favor with the Milan staff and fans last season after an unimpressive campaign in 2007-08.
2. Ricardo Quaresma (Porto to Inter)
Quaresma signed for Inter on the final day of the transfer window. He should fit well in Jose Mourinho's 4-3-3 formation, where two classy wingers are required to play on the flanks. Quaresma has the speed and dribbling abilities to be a success on the right flank with the Italian champions.
1. Ronaldinho (Barcelona to Milan)
The former World Player of the Year is looking to revive his career, and Milan truly was the most appropriate choice for the Brazilian. Ronaldinho should be able to play well with the host of Brazilians who currently play at Milan. With Pato, Kaka, Pirlo, and other talented players at Milan, Ronaldinho should feel he is in the right place.
Other Good Signings
Andriy Shevchenko
He returned to Milan in order to revive his career where he earned the reputation of a deadly striker. Milan needed extra reinforcements to improve their strike-force
Gianluca Zambrotta
He was an excellent capture for Milan. He will bring them extra power in defense after they had a relatively bad season defensively last term with Barcelona.
Amantino Mancini
He was an impressive capture for Inter. He will probably be a first-team player and will serve as a left winger in Mourinho's 4-3-3 system.
John Arne Riise
He should prove to be a decent acquisition for Roma. He will surely fit well with Roma's attacking football.
Diego Milito
He signed for Genoa after snubbing an offer from Tottenham and should prove himself well with his new club where he enjoyed a good stint a couple of years ago.
Felipe Melo, Christian Poulsen
Melo was signed by Fiorentina, and midfielder Poulsen was signed by Juventus. They should prove to be two decent captures.
Click on the link below to view my latest "Rumors & Realities" article:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/53562-rumors-realities-see-you-in-january
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