Cut price deal or not, Scott Fleming believes Juventus should steer well clear of signing Marco Borriello permanently
It seems strange to suggest Juventus are suffering from an excess of sentimentality, when they appear willing to allow Alessandro Del Piero to leave despite the pleas of fans from around the world and the decisive contributions Pinturicchio has made during the title run-in.
But it’s hard to pinpoint any other reason why they would contemplate retaining the services of Marco Borriello.
Until six days ago, Borriello had failed to score in three months as a Bianconeri player. He had scarcely even come close since his January loan move from Roma, the only remarkable aspect of his performances being how little he had contributed, how out of place the burly Neapolitan looked in Antonio Conte's hard running streamlined side.
He had also been repeatedly booed by supporters that begrudged his reported refusal of an offer to sign for the club in 2010. Formerly renowned as something of a Casanova figure off the field, it appeared La Vecchia Signora was one lady Borriello had failed to woo.
Then, after 80 minutes of stubborn Cesena resistance last Wednesday, the ball dropped at his feet. When Borriello sclaffed a left foot shot into the net, the reaction was electric. He was mobbed by screaming teammates and shared a fierce touchline embrace with Conte. The goal was an enormously significant one in the context of the Scudetto race but there was more to the celebrations than that - this was an outpouring of affection and of relief, on behalf of a man who had been on the verge of laughing stock status.
“The way they all celebrated with me at the end of the game filled my heart,” the 29-year-old admitted later, and his Coach wasn't short of compliments either. “He deserved this so much,” said Conte. “He arrived in not great shape, worked hard to get on the same level as his teammates and it’s a shame that he has been treated badly.”
On Sunday he was at it again, stooping to nod in the second of Juve's four goals against Novara. Then came the news on Monday morning that Juve were considering making his move permanent. Only - it must be stressed - if director general Beppe Marotta can persuade Roma to knock a few Euro off the €8m fee agreed in January, but shocking news nonetheless.
After failing to score all season for Juve or Roma, Borriello deserves credit for turning things around but his two goals are just that – two goals, scored against the two worst sides in Italy's top flight.
Why the big clubs keep betting on him is a mystery. In his time with Juventus, Roma and Milan Borriello has scored just 29 Serie A goals. Compare that to the 19 he struck in one season with Genoa and it seems clear that's where he truly belongs, with a mid-table outfit.
Last summer the Bianconeri were very close to deals for Giuseppe Rossi and Sergio Aguero. Signing strikers of that calibre should be the priority this summer with a Champions League campaign to mount and - barring any mishaps against Lecce tomorrow night - a Scudetto to defend next season. Any affection the players and staff feel towards Borriello and admiration for the way he has conquered his fitness problems is well and good, but should not be allowed to cloud the issue.