With the transfer window mercifully closed, Fiorentina can turn its focus back to winning a Serie A games, which uh hoo boy let’s maybe not think too hard about how that’s been going. Something that’s jumped out to me, though, is a clear personnel shortcoming: none of the midfielders are exactly holding midfielders. Nicolò Fagioli, for all his technical excellence and passing prowess, lacks physicality and can’t screen the defenders. Christ Inao Oulaï is an athletic marvel but his instinct is to press
forward rather than drop deep.
This isn’t the sort of weakness that structurally undermines a team. I think Fabio Grosso can find a way to work around it, especially since the mobility of his other midfielders—Arthur Atta, Cher Ndour, Marco Brescianini—offers options. Nevertheless, if Fabio Paratici decides that direct action rather than tactical planning is the solution, there are a few interesting names available.
Marcelo Brozović
Pros: Fiorentina reportedly reached out to Brozović on deadline day. At 33, the Croatian probably has something left in the tank and his 8 years with Inter Milan ensure that he knows Serie A well enough. He’s always been a very intelligent player, comfortable in the holding role, and at his peak exerted a level of control on games that perhaps only Fagioli can match. He’s also spoken about his desire to return to Italy.
Cons: He made €30 million in salary last year and reportedly isn’t interested in the €2.5 million salary the Viola offered, which could mean he’s heading back to Saudi Arabia. Even if he’s not washed, I doubt he’s got the juice in those 33-year-old legs to shield the back line by himself. After 3 years with Al-Nassr, it’s unclear if he’s still at a level to regularly contribute in Serie A.
Yves Bissouma
Pros: Paratici already sprang for him once, spending €25 million to bring him from Brighton to Spurs in 2022. He’s got the all the physical and technical attributes and, at 30, should have at least a few good years left. He’s played in Europe and has 46 caps for Mali.
Cons: He wants to stay in the Premier League and could probably earn more by going to Turkiyë. He’d also expect to start, which would force one of Fiorentina’s important young midfielders to the bench, and he’d want a salary commensurate with that status. He’s a bit of a menace off the pitch: twice had his license suspended for speeding, been involved in a nightclub fracas (in which he was cleared, in fairness), and was suspended for huffing nitrous oxide. His agent also represented Moise Kean’s cousin.
Ismaël Bennacer
Pros: He was a huge part of AC Milan’s midfield just a couple years ago and he’s still just 28. Even if his athleticism’s diminished, he’s always read the game well and could adapt to a holding role quite well, especially since he’s a good and creative passer. He wouldn’t demand too much in salary, hopefully, especially after spending a couple years in the wildnerness.
Cons: There’s a pretty good chance that his legs are utterly cooked.
I don’t see anyone else available who makes a ton of sense. Maybe you think a Serie A journeyman like Moatasem Al-Musrati or Adrien Tameze is the solution. Maybe you think a Premier League ex like Leander Dendoncker or Mohamed Elneny would help. Maybe you’re a real dummy who thinks signing Paul Pogba is what an intelligent team does in 2026.
I’d argue, though, that none of those moves would be anything more than a prayer. Even if those players fit the role better than anyone on the current Viola roster, the drop in talent wouldn’t be worth it. Brozović, Bissouma, and Bennacer could offer something but the opportunity cost (e.g. money spent that could address a need in January, loss of playing time for Oulaï) makes the math come out wrong. No, this is the squad Fiorentina needs to roll with until January. Nobody’s riding to the rescue on a Bosman.
