Javier Pastore Rumours: Manchester United, Chelsea and 5 Other Clubs To Sign Him
There’s no doubt that Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini is shopping star asset Javier Pastore around, and I don’t blame him.
Zamparini took a bold risk in buying a very talented and then 20-year-old Pastore for just €6 million from Huracán in 2009—he is now projected to be sold at €35 million-plus.
Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly pursuing Pastore, and we’ll analyse their chances along with five other clubs aiming to sign him.
My View on Javier Pastore
1 of 8Javier Pastore is a very graceful footballer, and you can’t help but marvel at how easy he makes the game look.
Do I think he was the best player in the Serie A last season? No, Edinson Cavani was.
Do I think Pastore was the best creative midfielder in the Serie A last season? No, Hernanes was.
That being said, I think there is so much potential for him to become a world class player, and you can make the argument he is producing world class performances from time to time for Palermo.
He’s a technician blessed with brilliant vision, great football IQ and his ability to glide past players is a sight to behold.
Now, you’re probably thinking okay, so what are his flaws?
For a player who is 6'2" (1.88m), he doesn’t fully impose his physique on other players, and he doesn’t strike me as a player who has that competitive edge which drives him to dominate the opposition.
It’s all good and well, looking like a stud against Catania and Brescia, but if you look like a dud against A.C. Milan, then there has to be question marks over your ability.
Analysis of Manchester United Signing Javier Pastore
2 of 8Do Manchester United need Javier Pastore? Yes.
Sir Alex Ferguson has a midfield devoid of creativity and vision.
Now, some Manchester United fans want Wesley Sneijder, and others want a deep lying midfielder.
Pastore would be a better combination with Wayne Rooney than Sneijder, as Sneijder played his best football for Inter Milan in almost the same position as Rooney.
Pastore would be able to beat players off the dribble yet run around the midfield and control the play.
Essentially, he needs to be given free access to do what he wants, and generally world class players get that privilege.
Will Manchester United sign Pastore? No.
The language barrier, culture barrier and the physicality of the league is the antithesis of how Pastore plays.
Also the failure of Juan Sebastián Verón may turn Sir Alex Ferguson off from buying Pastore.
Thing is Verón is a more physical player than Pastore.
Analysis of Chelsea Signing Javier Pastore
3 of 8Do Chelsea need Javier Pastore? Absolutely.
Chelsea’s midfield is screaming out for a player like Pastore to just create, control and distribute with imagination.
Chelsea have been so blunt in recent years, and manager André Villas-Boas is a proponent of attacking football, so Pastore would be perfect.
Will Chelsea sign Pastore? No.
Luka Modrić is a safer option, plus Pastore doesn’t fit in the English Premier League and has indicated a preference to stay in Italy.
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Analysis of Manchester City Signing Javier Pastore
4 of 8Do Manchester City need Javier Pastore? Absolutely not.
Unless Sheik Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan decides to buy Pastore for the heck of it, mind you, Maurizio Zamparini would be a very happy man—Manchester City do not need Pastore. They need squad players who will be comfortable with being squad players.
Will Manchester City sign Pastore? No.
For me, Yaya Touré was excellent as a box-to-box threat but needs to up his productivity. To be fair, he played as a defensive midfielder for three seasons at the Nou Camp.
Touré or Pastore? Touré easily.
Also Manchester City already have David Silva’s vision, who can play multiple positions whereas Pastore can only play in the centre.
Analysis of A.C. Milan Signing Javier Pastore
5 of 8Do A.C. Milan need Javier Pastore? Yes.
With the departure of Andrea Pirlo, the aging Clarence Seedorf, A.C. Milan need someone like Pastore.
Given the rolling list of high-profile signings of late: Zlatan Ibrahimović, Robinho, Mark van Bommel, Antonio Cassano, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Taye Taiwo and Philippe Mexès—Pastore would just be the next name.
Will A.C. Milan sign Pastore? Yes.
Pastore wants to stay in Italy, Maurizio Zamparini wants to sell, A.C. Milan need a creative midfielder—ideal circumstances.
You’d think the only problem would be how much A.C. Milan are willing to pay, but given that Pastore wants to stay in Italy, it means only Italian clubs will be bidding, therefore it’s more than likely that A.C. Milan will be the highest bidders.
Analysis of Juventus Signing Javier Pastore
6 of 8Do Juventus need Javier Pastore? Yes.
Alberto Aquilani was excellent for Juventus in a season which was another waste for them, but he’s back with Liverpool.
Ironically, Felipe Melo had his best season for the Bianconeri, yet he’s been loaned out.
On paper, Juventus have recruited some quality players like Andrea Pirlo, Switzerland Stephan Lichtsteiner, and Arturo Vidal who at €10.5 million is a steal.
Pastore would add that extra dimension to Juventus which could turn them into contenders.
Look at how Hernanes has changed Lazio into a quality side.
Will Juventus sign Pastore? Maybe.
If they can outbid A.C. Milan, then yes, but I don’t think they will outbid A.C. Milan.
Analysis of Roma Signing Javier Pastore
7 of 8Do Roma need Javier Pastore? Yes.
The hiring of Luis Enrique would indicate a new era at Roma, and Enrique needs a player he can centre the team around, which in turn will allow Francesco Totti to continue to thrive.
Question is, haven’t Roma taken a gamble in signing River Plate’s Erik Lamela, therefore wouldn’t it be counterproductive to then sign Pastore which could stunt the development of Lamela?
Will Roma sign Pastore? No.
With the dire situation of Roma’s majority shareholder Compagnia Italpetroli SpA, who are in debts to the tune £340 million, Roma won’t be spending big.
You look at their two “big” transfers so far, Lamela and Bojan Krkić; both have been relatively safe punts at young prospective talents who could be sold off for a substantial profit.
Analysis of Málaga Signing Javier Pastore
8 of 8Do Málaga need Javier Pastore? Yes.
Málaga, financially backed by Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani, have built up a reasonable solid squad on paper.
Pastore would be that marquee signing which promotes the name of Málaga, and shows the world that they do mean business.
Unfortunately, they play in the same league as Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Will Málaga sign Pastore? No.
From a cultural and language perspective, Pastore would love Spain, but does he want to move to an up-and-coming club or an established club?
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