Genoa are not messing about. While the rest of Serie A catches its breath during the international break, the Grifone are putting in the hard yards on...
Genoa are not messing about. While the rest of Serie A catches its breath during the international break, the Grifone are putting in the hard yards on the transfer front, reportedly closing in on a double swoop that would inject genuine pace and power into Alberto Gilardino's forward line.First up is the Swedish winger simply known as Stroud. A player who caught the eye during the World Cup with his direct running and willingness to take on his full back. We're not talking about a flashy trick merchant here. This is a footballer who understands the value of getting the ball into the mixer early, and that is exactly the kind of ammunition a team fighting for mid table security needs. For Genoa, who often rely on transitional moments to punish sides that leave gaps, Stroud's ability to stretch the pitch vertically is a proper weapon.Then there is Bentayeb. The Moroccan striker is a different beast altogether. Where Stroud provides width, Bentayeb offers a focal point. He is the type of centre forward who doesn't need ten chances to score. Give him a sniff, a half yard, and the ball ends up in the back of the net. Clinical finishing is a rare commodity in January, and if GoalZaza's information is correct, Genoa have moved swiftly to secure his signature. Bentayeb gives them tactical flexibility. They can go direct, they can play off his knockdowns, and they suddenly have a plan B that didn't exist before.Let's be honest, Genoa have needed a bit of edge in the final third. They've been solid enough at the back, but creating clear cut chances has been a chore. Two additions of this profile suggest the club's recruitment team have finally identified the missing pieces. Stroud and Bentayeb won't just be squad fillers. They look like starters. If Gilardino can integrate them quickly, we might actually see Genoa push on towards the top half rather than looking over their shoulder. Now that would be something worth watching.
