Soccer: I became Bruno Fernandes.

Chapter 272: Winter Signings

While Bruno and his teammates were on vacation, Udinese's management and coaching staff did not rest. Coach Guidolin had already recognized the issues in Udinese's defense and planned to strengthen the team during the winter break.

As soon as 2016 began, Udinese made two major signing announcements.

On January 2nd, Udinese officially announced that they had signed Serbian center-back Nemanja Vidić to a six-month contract, keeping the former Manchester United captain at the club until June 30th of this year.

Vidić had left Manchester United in July 2014 and joined Inter Milan as a free agent. During the 2014-2015 season, he was initially a key center-back for the Nerazzurri. However, due to age and injuries, his performance declined. After Roberto Mancini took over as coach, Vidić gradually became a substitute.

Vidić missed all of Inter Milan's matches after undergoing back surgery in August 2015. In December, he and Inter Milan mutually agreed to terminate his contract.

In early 2016, Vidić signed with Udinese.

Guidolin planned to use Vidić as a backup for Maguire and Danilo. Additionally, Vidić's extensive experience was highly valued. During his peak, he was one of the world's top center-backs, and his experience would be crucial in strengthening Udinese's defense.

Among Udinese's center-backs, Maguire had potential but lacked experience, while Danilo, a mainstay for years, was nearly 32 and showing signs of decline. Domizzi and Hertaux could play as center-backs but were not specialists and were getting older. Young center-backs Bošnjak and Bubanj, initially seen as promising, had not shown much potential in the past two years, and Udinese was considering releasing them.

...

Alongside Vidić, another veteran joined Udinese: English left-back Ashley Cole. Cole had moved to Italy in July 2014, joining Roma, but quickly fell out of favor and lost his place in the team.

In early September of the previous year, Roma announced they had terminated Cole's contract.

Having been without a club for six months, Cole had been seeking opportunities and was even considering a move to MLS when Udinese contacted him.

After a period of evaluation, Guidolin decided to sign Cole on a six-month contract.

Udinese's intention in signing Cole was similar to that of signing Vidić: to provide backup and utilize his experience as a former top left-back.

Udinese's current starting left-back was Brazilian Gabriel Silva, whose form had been poor since the previous season. Often, Guidolin had to use Hertaux and Cancelo as makeshift left-backs.

However, Hertaux's form was also declining, forcing Cancelo, originally a right-back, to play as the main left-back. But Cancelo, being out of position, had his own issues. Guidolin hoped Cole could help develop Cancelo into a proper left-back.

...

The winter break quickly passed, and Udinese regrouped on January 3rd, with their first match of the new year scheduled for January 6th.

That afternoon, the team held their first training session after the Christmas break, and Guidolin was furious.

"Look at you all! In just one week, you've gained an average of 1.57 kilograms," Guidolin shouted angrily. "A holiday means just eating and eating, huh?!"

None of the players dared to speak, and captain Di Natale remained silent, having gained 2.07 kilograms during the 14-day break. He felt like the coach was looking at him like a pig ready for slaughter.

Of all the first-team players, Bruno had gained the least weight, only 0.32 kilograms, which was still acceptable.

Initially planning a simple training session, Guidolin abandoned the idea and instead ordered intensive physical training.

"You had fun on holiday, right? Well, now you'll have even more fun!" he roared.

After consulting with fitness coach Bordon, who confirmed the training intensity would be safe, Udinese's first day back from the winter break began with rigorous physical training.

...

"These idiots! Even pigs don't gain two kilograms in two weeks!" Guidolin fumed.

"To be precise, it's 1.57 kilograms," Portoluzzi said, trying to suppress a laugh. "The team did well, so they relaxed."

"This isn't a good sign," Guidolin replied with a stern face. "Push them hard. The season isn't even halfway over. If they laugh now, they'll cry at the end of the season."

"Understood!" Portoluzzi took it seriously, realizing his own limitations. Guidolin's attention to detail and ability to foresee problems was a clear difference in their abilities.

Guidolin wouldn't allow complacency or underperformance in his team. Before he himself became overconfident, he ensured no one else did.

Any player who showed arrogance or slackened their standards would find themselves on the bench to reflect.

Guidolin kept a metaphorical whip in hand to keep the team in line.

...

After signing two experienced veterans to strengthen the defense, Udinese continued searching for offensive targets in the transfer market.

Despite having the best attack in Serie A in the first half of the season, thanks to Bruno's explosive form, Udinese had issues with their forward lineup.

Udinese's first-team forwards included Di Natale, Thauvin, Zapata, Aguirre, and Perica. However, Aguirre and Perica were too young to meet Udinese's current standards. Thauvin and Zapata were decent but not top-tier forwards. Di Natale, aging, couldn't handle the demands of competing on two fronts.

Di Natale had underperformed in the first half of the season, scoring only seven league goals, not making the top five in the Serie A scoring chart, four goals fewer than the same period last season.

Clearly, such a forward lineup wasn't reassuring. If any player got injured or had a form slump, Guidolin would struggle with his options.

...

Guidolin targeted Borussia Dortmund forward Ciro Immobile. The 26-year-old Italian had moved around several Serie A clubs before making a name for himself at Torino. In the 2013-2014 season, he scored 22 Serie A goals, earning the league's Silver Boot.

In June 2014, Dortmund, seeking to replace Robert Lewandowski, signed Immobile for €18.5 million on a five-year contract.

However, Immobile struggled in the Bundesliga, scoring only 10 goals and providing three assists in 33 matches across all competitions in the 2014-2015 season. Last summer, Dortmund loaned him to Sevilla in La Liga.

In the first half of the season, Immobile continued to underperform, scoring only four goals and providing one assist in 15 matches across all competitions.

Sevilla, dissatisfied, sent him back to Dortmund, where he still had no place. Dortmund planned to loan him out again.

Immobile's former club, Torino, was interested and negotiating with Dortmund to bring him back on loan.

Udinese, looking to strengthen their squad, also targeted Immobile. Given his past success in Serie A, Guidolin believed he would regain form if he returned.

...

Guidolin and Giaretta initially planned to loan Immobile for a week, but upon hearing about the club's interest in Immobile, Bruno suggested signing him permanently.

As a time traveler, Bruno knew that Immobile, like Di Natale, was a late bloomer who would become more formidable with age, winning the Serie A Golden Boot twice after turning 30.

Bruno, Guidolin, and Giaretta discussed and analyzed the situation, concluding that a €10 million bid would likely satisfy Dortmund.

That afternoon, Udinese contacted Dortmund to inquire about Immobile's transfer.

The next morning, Guidolin expected Dortmund to be pleased with the offer but was surprised when they flatly refused, declaring Immobile a non-transferable, important team member.

FK!**

Guidolin cursed. If Dortmund truly valued Immobile, he wouldn't mind, but it was clear they were trying to hike up the price because they knew Udinese needed a forward.

(End of chapter)

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