I am not going to complain if we sign SMS. He's going to improve the team significantly and give us some weapons we don't currently have. However, he definitely is a little overrated, especially by fans.
Personally, if I was given 120k to sign a midfielder, I would attempt the likes of Alcantara/Verratti before SMS.
Let's see what happens. It's hard to imagine spending this kind of money on anyone. But maybe the rumor of the 150m cash injection from elliot was true after all. No idea how that'll work with FFP, but seeing as how involved this current management was with the whole UEFA fiasco this summer, I'm sure they'll have it figured out.
One thing is for sure, Elliot injection or not, sales will have to happen to fund what's happened so far and what's going to happen the rest of the market. Leo himself said that he will work on that front a lot.
As for Leonardo himself, the fact that he has proven knowledge of the market and ability to build a team is one thing......but he is now proving to all of us what it really means to have someone of his status do this job. It has a different level of pull with the players. A different belief in our transfer targets. I am 100% sure that no matter what Mirabelli said, he would not have convinced Higuain to join Milan. There is just a different level of recognition when someone like Leonardo is involved. I can only imagine this is going to be even higher if/when Leo brings someone else on his team (like Maldini for example). The fact is that these (Leo/Maldini/etc) are respected and trusted names in football. Not meaning to shit on Fassone and Mirabelli, but they are nowhere near this level of recognition. I bet you Mirabelli calls Alcantara (his agent), and they don't even give him the time of day. Leo calls, and I bet 10000% they sit down and listen to what he has to say. THIS, is the difference currently between last season's management and this one. Of course, it never helped that Li just brought such cloud of confusion and doubts while Elliot have brought clarity and trust from others that the money is there....simply because it is if they want it to be.
About Suso....I don't mind selling him as I said several times. He will definitely need to be replaced though and no, not by Bernard (even though I want Bernard here, but as an added player to, and not in place, of Suso). About the fact that he is maybe trying to use the interest in him to get a new/improved contract is not surprising nor does it bother me. It'smodern football. It's what it is. If he stays, it's completely normal for him to get a bit more money in line with his market and what others are willing to pay him....especially if we are rejecting all offers off hand.
Personally, if I was given 120k to sign a midfielder, I would attempt the likes of Alcantara/Verratti before SMS.
Let's see what happens. It's hard to imagine spending this kind of money on anyone. But maybe the rumor of the 150m cash injection from elliot was true after all. No idea how that'll work with FFP, but seeing as how involved this current management was with the whole UEFA fiasco this summer, I'm sure they'll have it figured out.
One thing is for sure, Elliot injection or not, sales will have to happen to fund what's happened so far and what's going to happen the rest of the market. Leo himself said that he will work on that front a lot.
As for Leonardo himself, the fact that he has proven knowledge of the market and ability to build a team is one thing......but he is now proving to all of us what it really means to have someone of his status do this job. It has a different level of pull with the players. A different belief in our transfer targets. I am 100% sure that no matter what Mirabelli said, he would not have convinced Higuain to join Milan. There is just a different level of recognition when someone like Leonardo is involved. I can only imagine this is going to be even higher if/when Leo brings someone else on his team (like Maldini for example). The fact is that these (Leo/Maldini/etc) are respected and trusted names in football. Not meaning to shit on Fassone and Mirabelli, but they are nowhere near this level of recognition. I bet you Mirabelli calls Alcantara (his agent), and they don't even give him the time of day. Leo calls, and I bet 10000% they sit down and listen to what he has to say. THIS, is the difference currently between last season's management and this one. Of course, it never helped that Li just brought such cloud of confusion and doubts while Elliot have brought clarity and trust from others that the money is there....simply because it is if they want it to be.
About Suso....I don't mind selling him as I said several times. He will definitely need to be replaced though and no, not by Bernard (even though I want Bernard here, but as an added player to, and not in place, of Suso). About the fact that he is maybe trying to use the interest in him to get a new/improved contract is not surprising nor does it bother me. It'smodern football. It's what it is. If he stays, it's completely normal for him to get a bit more money in line with his market and what others are willing to pay him....especially if we are rejecting all offers off hand.