Football Italia: Season 7 – High Hopes

Season Seven: High hopes – on a budget…

I signed my own new contract – to ensure some stability in the short term, if nothing more – but said goodbye to four first team players from last season. With such lofty ambitions, I wanted to be cut throat and, with that, I simply cannot carry players who are just there to fill up the numbers. Aging trio Marchegiani, Marchetti and Tumminello all left with my blessings but first team Tripaldelli left a slightly sour taste in my mouth. A key part of the squad for the past couple of years but getting on a little, he was unwilling to sit down and talk across the entirety of last season and, when he finally did, demanded to be a key player and earn over €15k a week. An amount that I was simply not willing to pay.

As we rolled into the new season, I was shocked that the transfer bounty I was promised simply did not materialise. Given just under €3m and a wage budget allowing little wiggle room, along with lofty ambitions, I knew I had be clever. I think I’ve done what I set out to achieve with five new signings, four of which will be within the first team. The new signings are also showing off the new kits, thanks to a new Adidas manufacturer and a sponsor from Hong Kong based company AIA.

Bruno Zapelli was the first arrival, on a free transfer following the expiration of his Marseille contract. I had already pinpointed him before the takeover and, as such, was pleased when my recruitment team were able to seal a deal on less than the then-mandated maximum wage of €10k p/w. There’s a fairly lofty loyalty bonus within his contract but, with the money in the bank rather than the transfer budget, that’s not a me problem! I think he’s a player who has really lost his way since coming to Europe for €6.5m in 2025. Some minutes in France and a loan to Braga is all he has to show but, in his highlight real – where he played most as a 10 – I think he’s got the ability to change games for me. I envisage, given his traits, that he’ll play the DLF(s) role, feeding the two shadow strikers but also being able to finish himself. I’ll take his integration slow, being as he’s got to learn this new role, but I’m quite excited!

Mateo Morro is a solid second choice keeper, who, when I was researching him, was called up to the full Argentina squad at just 17 and is a pretty hot prospect in real life. He’s somewhat stalled but did play 26 games for Guingamp in Ligue 1 last year, showing that he does have pedigree. It’s a lot – a record fee – for a backup but this will happen a lot over the next few years, I feel.

Souleymane Traore will join the youth setup after leaving my scouts raving about his ball carrying ability. I’ve said it many times during my threads but, as a Villa fan, I often draw comparisons and I feel his height, balance and speed on the ball makes him somewhat similar to what Morgan Rogers is currently doing, albeit not anywhere near as strong. I like central runners – currently – and I think he’s got the right base.

Still short of ideas, I used the loan market to cement a couple of more experienced heads, funding them with the sale of Carboni, who, tactically, I feel we have left behind a little.

Alexandro Bernabei heads in on a €90k pcm loan from League One Stoke, where he can no longer get a work permit. As a sweetener for the fact that I’m only paying 20% (€5k) of his wages, there is an optional clause to make this permanent for €21m, which, quite obviously, I have little interest in paying. I’ve been thinking – more on this below – about how my wing backs play and have moved away from the traditional kind of player but did want someone who is that role, just in case!

Facundo Colidio is a bit of an FM legend, I think. He’s moved back to River Plate – in game – and is doing ok but has found himself on the transfer list. Again, I’ve played the game here – offering just 10% (€5k) of his massive wage packet but upped the optional fee to €10m, which is four million more than his current list price. At 30, I’d have to consider this a risky deal should I want to make this one permanent next summer but that will depend on how well he performs, covering, initially, for two-month injuries to both Langoni and Owusu, picked up during our successful pre-season campaign.

That campaign has also led to some unexpected bonuses, which I think has saved me some significant money this summer:

Initially, I started training Pedro Santos as a left wing back when de Leon came in, 18 months ago. I very rarely used him as I needed him further forward and had two decent full backs at the time. However, with Tripaldelli’s departure, I had a big gap going into pre-season. A natural 10, he’s slotted in superbly to a really creative wing back role, often the furthest man forward and the one to lay on the cross our key pass. I’ve really struggled to find the right profile of wing back for my setup and, whilst I know he’ll have bad days against stronger teams, he’s really impressed!

I remember originally wanting Owusu to be a winger who cut in but then he found his feet up top. After a season of struggle, I’m hoping to rejuvenate him as a second striker. I think that, despite being relatively tall, he was bullied far too often last year and, by moving him deeper, I can focus more on getting him to use his pace to move into zones where he can finish, rather than having to hold off others. His pre-season form was strong and I hope he can continue that.

That leaves my squad looking like this:

I’m trying to think ahead, working out who I think will need replacing if/when we head into Serie A. I think that the core of my first team is settled and ready and only really have reservations about Santos given his new role. Mussolini could work but will need to impress me as will Biagioni. The second XI – not that it is that, by any stretch, is a bit weaker with some question marks over newer players plus some remnants of depth that I’ve brought in across the seasons at this level.

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I’m really optimistic for the season ahead! Forza Biancoscudati!