Vincenzo Iaquinta

[rovers1993]

http://www.insidefutbol.com/2011/08/17/blackburn-rovers-switch-attention-to-vincenzo-iaquinta/47111/?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincenzo_Iaquinta

Could be the solution to our problems? Big name, could come, although not an amazing goal scoring record. Only played 20 games for Juve last season. Vastly experienced.

[philipl]

One of the most gifted and exciting players in the world six years ago.

[briansol]

He does sounds like the right type of striker. Big, strong and experienced to complement all the young flair players. Decent goalscoring record in one of the hardest league in the world and 35 games for Italy is not bad.

But would he come?

[The Rover of Finland]

Huge gamble I think.

[neophox]

Get Anelka from Chelsea instead.

[m1st]

If the source of this tip is as hot on football as they are on Italian geography, then I'd forget it immediately. They refer to him "starring in southern Italy with Udinese". Udinese's home town is in North-eastern Italy!! Perhaps he only does well in away games!

Having said that, according to Wiki, he's 6' 3" and although he's not played that often in his time with Juventus, he does average a goal every three games for them. So he might be worth a punt if Juve aren't asking too much for him.

PS: I'm editing this 20 minutes later because it's just occurred to me that the more superstitious among us might be worried that we don't have the wsorld's best track record when it comes to signing players called "Vincenzo" from Serie A! Just a thought.

[alexanders]

Nice player. Scores a little to few goals, would be a huge improvement on Roberts in the lone striker role. I think he would be able to get a lot of assists. Won some cash on him as topscorer for Italy in last world cup in South Africa.

On a side note. MGP is still the player who gets most Assists for Rovers. I think we need someone strong and good in the box (header) for Gamst to be shining a little bit again.

[joey_big_nose]

I'd definately take him. It appears he is in the last year of contract (according to Wiki) and 31 so to me it sounds like he is 1) affordable, 2) actually might fancy the move. Main issue is his injury record....

[LeChuck]

6 goals in 24 games last year. If he's on the decline then he's not what we need.

Two years ago and I would have been ecstatic about this potential signing. Two years ago and I would have been ecstatic about trying to get Robbie Keane.

Once players over 30 have hit the decline they rarely recover from it.

[LeftWinger]

Once players over 30 have hit the decline they rarely recover from it.

Giggs being one of those rare occasions. Pretty sure United fans were getting on his back about 5 years ago - and he just adapted his game.

[Al]

No point getting excited. It won't happen just like all the rest.

[Majiball]

No point getting excited. It won't happen just like all the rest.

Exactly, we must have been linked to 100 players so far with 2 coming who maybe up to the job.

The most likely transfer we'll be seeing will be a change of motto from Arte et labor to सस्ता, सस्ता, सस्ता

My link

[Brfcrule1]

It just occured to me the goal laquinta scored one touch to take it past the defender and one to score if Roberts was in that situation he would have found some way to mess that up but joking aside his record in the last 7 years at Udinese & Juve is not bad and some of the finishing is really good I think if theprice is right I say go for it.

[John]

Friend who follows Italian football says he struggles to stay fit.

[Kai]

I first saw Iaquinta during the 2006 world cup. Even then he looked slow and clumsy. I can't imagine that he's gotten any faster since. He didn't do anything of any note during the world cup - granted Toni and Gilardino were ahead of him but Gilardino couldn't hit a barn door and Toni in all fairness wasn't much better. (They managed 3 goals between them all tournament)

As stated, very few players get better going into their 30s. In the rare cases that it does happen, I can't think of a single instance of it being a striker. (Giggs, Scholes, Tugay, etc..) Maybe someone would care to correct me? Bering in mind that he's had the last couple of seasons out through injury, this has 'flop' written all over it.

I'm not going to get excited about this one either way - it won't happen or if it does he'll flop.

[Iceman]

Depressing

[chris]

I first saw Iaquinta during the 2006 world cup. Even then he looked slow and clumsy. I can't imagine that he's gotten any faster since. He didn't do anything of any note during the world cup - granted Toni and Gilardino were ahead of him but Gilardino couldn't hit a barn door and Toni in all fairness wasn't much better. (They managed 3 goals between them all tournament)

As stated, very few players get better going into their 30s. In the rare cases that it does happen, I can't think of a single instance of it being a striker. (Giggs, Scholes, Tugay, etc..) Maybe someone would care to correct me? Bering in mind that he's had the last couple of seasons out through injury, this has 'flop' written all over it.

I'm not going to get excited about this one either way - it won't happen or if it does he'll flop.

can think of a few, rare though:

Sheringham did great in his 30's maybe had his best years. Giggs and Scholes didn't get better, they were nearly as good which is still excellent.

Batistuta had more success in his 30's but he was of Shearer's standard, a legend.

Gallacher might have had his best years at 30-32, although he was injured or had to battle with Shearer and sutton before that.

Baggio was pretty good into his 30's rediscovering his form.

[Kai]

can think of a few, rare though:

Sheringham did great in his 30's maybe had his best years. Giggs and Scholes didn't get better, they were nearly as good which is still excellent.

Batistuta had more success in his 30's but he was of Shearer's standard, a legend.

Gallacher might have had his best years at 30-32, although he was injured or had to battle with Shearer and sutton before that.

Baggio was pretty good into his 30's rediscovering his form.

Some good examples there. The thing is, most if not all the players you mentioned were already extremely good players (or legends), who had already hit heights way before their thirties. Only Gallacher (respectfully as I say this) stands out a little there.

I still can't see Iaquinta coming here and being a success - again, I say he's too slow, clumsy and suffered from major injuries as well as age and coming from Seria A as well - it's all going to be too much to ask for to adapt to the Premier League.

[he6rt6gr6m]

Venky's must read this board REALLY often, after I suggested him in the Transfer Chat Thread a good few weeks ago!

[DeadlyDirk]

Friend who follows Italian football says he struggles to stay fit.

He'd fit right in then.

It's been a couple of years since I've seen much of him but he looked like a hell of a player back in the day, bags of potential, if the price is right I wouldn't be against signing him, maybe the change would do him good.

[beastlove]

Loads of players have been good in their 30s.... And would be good for a mid table team like rovers. This guy is a good player playing in a good league. Would you have him or roberts

[T.J.Newton]

can think of a few, rare though:

Sheringham did great in his 30's maybe had his best years. Giggs and Scholes didn't get better, they were nearly as good which is still excellent.

Batistuta had more success in his 30's but he was of Shearer's standard, a legend.

Gallacher might have had his best years at 30-32, although he was injured or had to battle with Shearer and sutton before that.

Baggio was pretty good into his 30's rediscovering his form.

could also add, kevin davies!!, ian wright, Zola, ian rush, mark hughes, Bergkamp, les ferdinand, ect..., all played some great football and where very effective 1st team prem forwards into there mid/late 30s.

[rogerjonesgloves]

could also add, kevin davies!!, ian wright, Zola, ian rush, mark hughes, Bergkamp, les ferdinand, ect..., all played some great football and where very effective 1st team prem forwards into there mid/late 30s.

Tugay?

[T.J.Newton]

Tugay?

was only thinking of forwards, But i suppose Tugays always wirth a shout out, Legend.

[philipl]

Iaquinta is a really nice guy. He would be brilliant for liaison with schools and the local community.