Seven days to go until the start of the league season. Mid-August impressions

There are seven days to go until the league opener. We’re eagerly anticipating some football, so we’re delighted to be getting back to it. On social media, we’ve been following the players’ holidays – complete with yachts, beaches and the odd cultural trip – alongside plenty of transfer rumours, a topic that’s now on everyone’s lips. Do we have any idea what’s in store?

Inter remain the strongest side; it’s difficult to make predictions about the others. Friendly matches don’t tell us much – nobody wants to get injured in the summer. I study the players’ expressions, listen to a few interviews and discuss things with friends. Milan don’t convince me; I don’t see a player who makes the difference, I don’t see a solid team unit and, above all, I still don’t see a proper club. Amorim seems busy trying to find his feet again and perhaps he could have done with someone by his side. All trace of Ibrahimović has been lost, and when the captain par excellence, Franco Baresi, passed away, goalkeeper Maignan, his counterpart, was nowhere to be seen at the funeral. Cardinale has made the odd appearance; frankly, despite his name, he seems to move like a country vicar – soft-spoken, bewildered by the clamour of the congregation. As for the team, a question mark as big as a house remains: what will Leao be like? He set off for the World Cup and, as soon as he crossed the Italian border, was quick to declare that he wanted to leave Milan. I heard no convincing responses to his comments (Ibra should have spoken out more firmly), and then what everyone feared happened: no one wanted the Portuguese player, at least not at the minimum asking price. Leao remains a burden that Milan have been carrying for far too long – an unresolved issue, in short, a problem, to put it bluntly.

These impressions are unlikely to be borne out in the league (this writer does not possess the gift of certainty), and that is what I wish for the Rossoneri supporters. As for the rest, I notice a lighter Napoli without the burden of the unbearable Lukaku, a Roma side without a spectacular transfer window but full of talent, and a Como as grand as its lake – though that lake isn’t all that grand either. That leaves Juventus, speaking of the top six. I like them; I find them solid and imaginative. Spalletti has a compact defence and a tried-and-tested midfield. They’d be very strong in attack too, if only another player by the name of Zirkzee were to arrive. As for surprises, having already mentioned Fiorentina last week – the real queen of the transfer market – I’ll go for Atalanta. Sarri has rediscovered the kind of environment he prefers: a provincial town, few people, plenty of enthusiasm, a quiet chairman and a top-class team. I can’t say much else, except that after this mid-August bank holiday, the much-anticipated holidays will be drawing to a close (a little rhyme to lift the spirits).