Given the formational shift Paolo Vanoli deployed halfway through the season, there’s an argument to be made that including a position group called “wingers” in this series misses the point. That’s fair enough but I’m sticking with it anyways and even tossing poor old Christan Kouamé into the mix since he was used as a secunda punta in his short involvement. Regardless, prepare to relive a lot of irritation with these guys.
Albert Guðmundsson
This looked like a perfect setup for the Iceland international. After battling
injuries last year, Stefano Pioli played him as a 10 and gave him a free role. Guðmundsson responded with one of the worst seasons by a Fiorentina forward that I can remember. The stats look fine, sure, but half his goals came from the spot and half his assists (e.g. the Dodô solo goal at Cremonese, the Pongračić halfway strike) shouldn’t really count. He killed the team’s rhythm with his inexplicable combination of ego and deference. I wrote a whole post about my irritation with him and I stand by every word.
Stats: 46 appearances (31 starts), 10 goals, 6 assists, 6 yellow cards, 1 red card
Best moment: His only game with multiple goal contributions was the 1-4 at Cremonese so I’ll pick that one. True to form, by the way, his assist and goal were the 3rd and 4th, rendering them pleasant but ultimately meaningless.
What’s next: Roma and Atalanta have emerged as possible suitors and he’ll probably be much better at either of those than he was in Florence. If Paratici can recoup €15 million for him, I’ll be delighted. Regardless, he’s gone.
Final grade: D A couple bright moments don’t outweigh an entire season of dickitry.
Jack Harrison
The Gatorade Player of the Year arrived in January on loan from Leeds to a nonplussed response and pretty well lived up to his billing. He was diligent and dedicated, tracking back and trundling forward as reliably as a toy train, and he fired in a string of crosses that didn’t create threatening situations but at least failed to create a threatening situations in a different way from his colleagues’ approach. Unfortunately, his physical and technical limitations capped his upside and his obvious inability to communicate with his teammates led to a ton of mixups, particularly with Dodô.
Stats: 22 appearances (15 starts), 1 goal, 3 assists, 1 yellow card
Best moment: TGPotY picked a wonderful time for his only goal, giving Fiorentina the lead at Lecce against the run of play in a relegation 6-pointer. And hey, you know what? Nice strike.
What’s next: He’s probably heading back to Leeds despite his stated desire to stay in Florence but he’ll depart with the grudging respect of the Viola fans for his motor and uncomplaining attitude. I wish him nothing but luck.
Final grade: C Anyone expecting more than competence was disappointed; anyone expecting less was pleasantly surprised.
Manor Solomon
The Paratici favorite arrived as January’s biggest signing. While the numbers don’t pop off the screen, his impact exceeded them. With Moise Kean struggling for fitness, he was the only forward capable of creating chances for himself, and the only one with anything approaching the necessary physical traits to cause opponents problems. He was a bit more selfish than I’d have liked at times but he made a difference when he was out there. Unfortunately, he wasn’t out there as much as we might’ve liked, missing 8 games with a hamstring issue.
Stats: 19 appearances (10 starts), 2 goals, 2 assists, 1 yellow card
Best moment: A lovely strike against to equalize against Torino? Don’t mind if I do.
What’s next: Despite what everyone assumed was an Instagram farewell, his agent insists nothing’s been decided yet. I don’t believe that and assume that Solomon’s Tuscan sojourn is over.
Final grade: B- If injury hadn’t halted his momentum, he might’ve ended up as the season’s protagonist and savior.
Christian Kouamé
Hey, remember when Chris signed a contract extension in 2024 and immediately went on loan to Empoli, where he did his cruciate ligament again? That was weird. True to form, he worked hard at his rehab and returned to play a bit part under Pioli and then Vanoli. He was the same player he’s been for his entire Viola tenure, which finally ended when he was sold to Aris Thessaloniki for an undisclosed (read: low or conditional) fee in January. 11 goals in 6 years. I maintain that, had he not been rushed back into action, maybe he would’ve been more confident when he first pulled on the shirt and changed his whole trajectory, but conditionals don’t matter.
Stats: 5 appearances (2 starts)
Best moment: Um.
What’s next: He’s doing pretty well in Greece and could earn a contract extension. Here’s hoping it works out for him.
Final grade: C Lovely guy, Kouamé. Shame it didn’t work out. If you were expecting anything from him this year, though, that’s on you.
