17th December 2004: He may not
be fit enough for the Premiership according to Bryan Robson, but Junichi
Inamoto was fit enough to captain the Japanese national side against
Germany last night. Ina played 70 minutes of the 3-0 defeat which,
after five full reserve games, should suggest that he is ready for
a pot on the bench at least against Liverpool.
However, there are rumours that he is set to go out on loan to Cardiff.
From what I've seen of Inamoto in the past few years, I see him as
a valuable addition to the squad and one that should automatically
replace Andy Johnson in the side once he's fully fit. There may be
a case for a short term loan deal at a lower level to get him match
fit, but it's not that strong in my opinion.
With the current squad seemingly unable to get three points, we Baggies
fans are starting to look towards the transfer window to find a thread
of hope. And it does seem as though Mr Robson's profile is paying
dividends in attracting top quality players, if the newspapers are
to be believed.
The strongest rumour is that Brescia midfielder and Argentinian international
Matias Almeyda has all but agreed a free transfer to the Baggies having
agreed to terminate his contract at the Serie A side by mutual consent.
Almeyda has an impressive pedigree. He started his career in 1991
with River Plate in his native country winning the national championship
twice before moving to Spain in 1996 to play for Seville. He was then
bought by Lazio for who he played 77 times in all competitions helping
them to the UEFA Cup Winners Cup, the Serie A title and two Italian
Cups. In 2000, he moved to Parma for £14.6 million in a deal which
saw Hernan Crespo move in the opposite direction. He played 39 times
for Parma winning another Italian Cup before moving to Inter in 2002
in a swap deal involving Vratislav Gresko. After 34 appearances in
two seasons for the Milan club, he moved to Brescia in the summer.
He has made just three appearances this season having apparently fallen
out with the club and the fans, and it has been reported that he has
agreed a deal to join the Baggies on 1st January until the end of
the season.
But Almeyda is not the only Italian-based player that has been linked
with a move to the Hawthorns. Juventus defender and Croatian international
Igor Tudor is apparently available for around £3 million, another
Argentinian international, Julio Cruz, could be set to a move from
the Inter dressing room at the San Siro to the more modest surroundings
at the Hawthorns and Albion are apparently one of three Premiership
clubs keen to bring Mohammed Kallon to England. Kallon is from Sierra
Leone and is currently on loan from Inter Milan to Monaco, having
scored 7 goals in 15 games so far this season - Bolton and Birmingham
are Albion's apparent competition for his signature.
And a recurring theme regarding Inter Milan strikers is emerging as
the Daily Mirror has today reported that Pop is in talks with Kily
Gonzalez. Either the rumour mongers are working overtime or Mr Robson
has some excellent contacts in Italy!
These names are certainly a sign of encouragement that the new manager
will have more success in bringing players in than Megson did two
seasons ago, but it remains a tough ask for any new signings to have
the impact that is required.
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