Motta or Money ?

“He is one who sees the first ball, he has geometry. When he is good, the team benefits.” So said Claudio Ranieri recently about his central midfielder Thiago Motta. In Serie A this season, when Inter have had Motta on the pitch, they have won 90 per cent of games, have improved their goal difference at an average rate of +1.5 goals per game and have conceded just three times in his presence. Without Motta on the pitch, Inter have won just 22 per cent of League matches this season, have worsened their goal difference by an average of -0.6 goals per game and have conceded 17 goals.

As the Italian media suggested in late December, Inter win when Motta is playing and as Ranieri was keen to agree, he brings something to the team. In fact, widening the focus, Motta’s record in Serie A during three seasons with Inter stands at 41 wins, seven draws and as many defeats from 55 played. The Nerazzurri’s win percentage from the start of 2009-10 to now with Motta playing is 75 per cent, without him it is a staggering 43 per cent.

Whilst perhaps thought of for his shielding work in front of both Inter and Italy’s defences, it is interesting to note that Motta’s true contribution is in his offensive play for the team. Indeed, where there are four other players in the squad to average more tackles per game this season and 10 who have made more interceptions every 90 minutes, surprisingly no-one comes close to matching the number of passes Motta averages each game, a number he matches with an almost squad-high pass-completion rate. Inter’s style of play runs through the Brazilian-born Italian international and the statistics back it up.


Full article here
http://www.football-italia.net/node/15089

motta is a great player...but hes also very dirty and often injured

Considering he's almost 30 I think taking the 11m for him was a good deal

I really like him... but the injures worry me... its too bad... but the money was good...

his importance is being overrated

during all these wins for us he was only getting match ratings of like 5.5-6.5. not like he was some match winning force in midfield like xavi

bhends already said it. good player, but the deal is a fairly good one for us (assuming palombo and guarin can perform)

overrated ? i dont know about that ! if anything Motta is underrated, he's our little Xavi but more defensive and the good work he does always goes unoticed.

I dont think that selling him was a bad move taking into considiration his age and his relationship with the treatement table, but the golden question is, can we make it to the CL without him ?

i think we were right in selling him, he will leave for free at the end. 11 m are enough to buy guarin next year. the only concern in the CL, but our midfield showed good chemistry yesterday with poli playing, so lets see ...

good read but i don't think motta is that great of a player. he is replaceable and at the age of 30 i think the deal is justified.