AC Milan have completed the transfer deal involving Djamel Mesbah and Parma defender Cristian Zaccardo yesterday. In what is one of the most random, lopsided trades in Serie A history, Milan has pulled off the Mesbah-Zaccardo swap, that would send the Algerian defender to Parma in return for the serviceable veteran.
The 31 year old World Cup winner signed a three and half year deal which will keep him at San Siro until 2016.
Zaccardo spoke to the Milan official news channel and admitted that he is proud to Join the Milanese club.
“I am delighted and honored to be in a so important club and I will do everything to make my contribution, I’m proud that Milan has interested in me. At age 31 I am here, after so many Serie A matches and I will give everything”.
What can Zaccardo offer Milan ?
The first important factor is his experience. At 31, he has plenty of experience and Cristian is a World Cup winner (despite an own goal being his main contribution) and has played more than 200 matches in Serie A and also having an experience abroad under his belt with Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga. Best friends with Andrea Barzagli, the Juventus defender has long praised his former back line partner.
Cristian Zaccardo is versatile at the back. Doesn’t particularly excel at one thing but can hold his own on the right or in the middle of defense. He is also very good in the air, contributing set piece goals and helping to defend them as well.
Zaccardo gives Milan a different look, becoming by far the most defensive full back at their disposal, who can be swapped in when Milan are winning.
However, on a second thought on the transfer, Zaccardo is hardly going to be the plug that catapults Milan into Champions League contention, but he sure will organize the back line quite well. Also, it will be interesting to see how he rises himself as he finally gets a chance at a big club.