03-31-2014, 10:06 AM
Claudio Laudisa of GDS says he thinks Sogliano's still pole position for the DS role, Balo's future with Milan depends on him and their requirements and finally Maldini's burnt his bridges after the recent interview (apparently his comment on Barbara is what suggests it).
Also, new news on Milannews that Kaka could go MLS and Galliani China...
http://www.milannews.it/calciomercato-mi...ani-140655
Right, onto the rebuild process I don't think we'll be able to achieve any significant success in the short term. At most, we'd push in Italy like Roma and Napoli have done this year, but beyond that we'd be very much like them even if we just rebuild around good young talents. Therefore, I'd say rather than build for the next year or two, we should rebuild with a 3 - 5 year project that aims to bring through our youth players and rebuild properly. The problem as I see it is we don't have the money we need to rebuild quickly. I looked at nefremo's post and while I really like his ideas (I share a lot of them), I still think we're looking at an outlay of up to 40m+.
The reason I say this is I think our youth players are more than capable at the highest level and we've seen that they can be brought through successfully, it's just we tend to waste the opportunities to let them grow once they make the jump to senior level. Lots of the young talents are also regular youth nationals, something which we shouldn't ignore.
Before I go into detail, I just want to say I think we need to identify the foundations of our squad for the next few years. Personally, the way I see it, from the squad we have we should build around Abbiati (not as first choice, but a senior squad member), De Sciglio, Rami, Bonera (same as Abbiati), Montolivo, Poli, Cristante, El Shaarawy and maybe Honda (a lot depends on how he performs over the coming months/next season). I wanted to put Abate, but he's second to DS now and I think he'll want to be a starter, so we may need to let him leave.
This isn't to say these are our starters, but these are the reference points of our squad and players who we rely on to build for the future. Next, assuming our system is the current 4-2-3-1 (with a 4-4-2/4-4-1-1 defensive shape), I'd say the lineup looks a little like this:
----------------Abbiati/New GK-----------------
DS-----------Rami-------New CB-------New LB
--------------Montolivo----New MF-------------
Honda------------El Shaarawy---------Taarabt(?)
----------------------Balotelli(?)-----------------
I'm with nefremo we should be looking to strike a deal for Perin and I'd also start keeping an eye on Scuffet for our future. We will want to start pressing high and with the backpass rule the keeper in the modern game has to be able to act as a sweeper (it's why Valdes is so prized at Barca). Perin's very good in this regard, and I don't think Scuffet is bad. Gabriel should be sent on loan imo to see if he can grow.
In defence, I think our problems really begin. DS and Rami seem obvious choices, they're solid defenders and I think have done well this season. At LB, I don't know of any youth players who are capable of making the jump to senior level, so I'd seriously look at Nicola Murru of Cagliari. A young (19) upcoming LB who has been touted for big things. At RB, I think Abate might leave, but if he does I'd look at Darmian at Torino.
At CB, the difficulties arrive. I would like a young CB, but most will cost a minimum of 10m (if you're looking at Doria, Bolanta, Martins Indi etc). There's Daniele Rugani in Italy who's meant to be really good, but Juve have already got him. Others, quite frankly, just aren't good enough. There's a couple of options here imo. The first is we go for a seemingly reliable more senior option who will never actually make the jump to top level (Paletta?), we look at our solutions in house (keep Mexes or try Zapata?) or we take a hit and go for the young option.
I'm ok with all of these options, as long as we don't lose sight of the long term goal. For me, that is to start looking at players coming through at Milan. It's amazing how easily we ignore our own products, but we actually have some really good young talents coming through at CB in our youth system. To name some, Davide Pacifico is one who has played for the senior squad last summer and made a very good account for himself. I'm not sure he will make the jump, but he's certainly not bad. Luca Iotti is one to keep an eye on and probably the one to try and bring through next season at senior level. He's played for the Italy youth setups and is widely considered one of the best young CBs in the Italian game. He should be brought through and developed with the help of senior players, like Rami (who has a great work ethic), Bonera and imo also DS. Then we have another who's apparently a real gem in our youth team, Ivan Francesco De Santis. A young Italian International who at 16 is already considered a starter in Inzaghi's Primavera. Maybe give him another year at that level, but again we need to bring these guys through and afford them opportunities.
In midfield I like Milanista87's idea of Montolivo and Clasie. Clasie, despite being a regista is also very capable defensively (averaging stats comparable to outright destroyers). We need to reduce our reference points and increase the development of our play. I also think Clasie would compliment Montolivo well, as they have different approaches to the role. I don't think we can keep on with Muntari, Essien and De Jong, because they're way too limited to fit into the system. I want to see Poli more in midfield too, as he looked really good coming on vs Chievo. Cristante is the other one I'd really push, a player who's really Montolivo's natural long term replacement, I think he should be brought back into the squad next season and one of the first choice backups to the players we have. This would give us foundations for our long term midfield (Cristante, Clasie and Poli), with room for youth talents, like Manuel Locatelli potentially carving their space in the group.
In the line of 3, I think El Shaarawy is the ideal fit for the role Kaka's been given recently. His pressing and ability to run in behind from deep make him suited to this role and I'm desperate to see him tried here. On the left I'd like to see Taarabt redeemed if he can maintain the standards we've seen, although ideally we'd see maybe a new talent come in. That said, we have a young Moroccan in our youth set up that seems destined for this role in the next few years. On the right, if Honda can maintain his recent performances, I think we'll really see him grow into the role. I've always liked Cerci, but again I think the cost maybe too much.
Finally the attack. I'm 50/50 at best on Balo, but honestly I don't see us selling him this summer. If we were to sell, I would use the money to reinvest in areas I've mentioned above, but if not, we need to try and get Balo to do as he did vs Chievo every game. Pazzini's goint to be 30 this summer and I'm think it might be better to part ways soon before it's too late. My replacement would be Paloschi.
My view is very pragmatic, but my hope isn't much on who we buy now (other than say Murru and Clasie), but rather our success in growing our own players. I say these guys are our path back to the top, with real success found at youth level, with European victory and a strong chance to win the league too. I'm pushing a lot for our CBs to come through too. I don't think it's coincidence we have some of the most valued youth defenders in Italy and also have the joint best defensive record in Primavera.
Also, new news on Milannews that Kaka could go MLS and Galliani China...
http://www.milannews.it/calciomercato-mi...ani-140655
Right, onto the rebuild process I don't think we'll be able to achieve any significant success in the short term. At most, we'd push in Italy like Roma and Napoli have done this year, but beyond that we'd be very much like them even if we just rebuild around good young talents. Therefore, I'd say rather than build for the next year or two, we should rebuild with a 3 - 5 year project that aims to bring through our youth players and rebuild properly. The problem as I see it is we don't have the money we need to rebuild quickly. I looked at nefremo's post and while I really like his ideas (I share a lot of them), I still think we're looking at an outlay of up to 40m+.
The reason I say this is I think our youth players are more than capable at the highest level and we've seen that they can be brought through successfully, it's just we tend to waste the opportunities to let them grow once they make the jump to senior level. Lots of the young talents are also regular youth nationals, something which we shouldn't ignore.
Before I go into detail, I just want to say I think we need to identify the foundations of our squad for the next few years. Personally, the way I see it, from the squad we have we should build around Abbiati (not as first choice, but a senior squad member), De Sciglio, Rami, Bonera (same as Abbiati), Montolivo, Poli, Cristante, El Shaarawy and maybe Honda (a lot depends on how he performs over the coming months/next season). I wanted to put Abate, but he's second to DS now and I think he'll want to be a starter, so we may need to let him leave.
This isn't to say these are our starters, but these are the reference points of our squad and players who we rely on to build for the future. Next, assuming our system is the current 4-2-3-1 (with a 4-4-2/4-4-1-1 defensive shape), I'd say the lineup looks a little like this:
----------------Abbiati/New GK-----------------
DS-----------Rami-------New CB-------New LB
--------------Montolivo----New MF-------------
Honda------------El Shaarawy---------Taarabt(?)
----------------------Balotelli(?)-----------------
I'm with nefremo we should be looking to strike a deal for Perin and I'd also start keeping an eye on Scuffet for our future. We will want to start pressing high and with the backpass rule the keeper in the modern game has to be able to act as a sweeper (it's why Valdes is so prized at Barca). Perin's very good in this regard, and I don't think Scuffet is bad. Gabriel should be sent on loan imo to see if he can grow.
In defence, I think our problems really begin. DS and Rami seem obvious choices, they're solid defenders and I think have done well this season. At LB, I don't know of any youth players who are capable of making the jump to senior level, so I'd seriously look at Nicola Murru of Cagliari. A young (19) upcoming LB who has been touted for big things. At RB, I think Abate might leave, but if he does I'd look at Darmian at Torino.
At CB, the difficulties arrive. I would like a young CB, but most will cost a minimum of 10m (if you're looking at Doria, Bolanta, Martins Indi etc). There's Daniele Rugani in Italy who's meant to be really good, but Juve have already got him. Others, quite frankly, just aren't good enough. There's a couple of options here imo. The first is we go for a seemingly reliable more senior option who will never actually make the jump to top level (Paletta?), we look at our solutions in house (keep Mexes or try Zapata?) or we take a hit and go for the young option.
I'm ok with all of these options, as long as we don't lose sight of the long term goal. For me, that is to start looking at players coming through at Milan. It's amazing how easily we ignore our own products, but we actually have some really good young talents coming through at CB in our youth system. To name some, Davide Pacifico is one who has played for the senior squad last summer and made a very good account for himself. I'm not sure he will make the jump, but he's certainly not bad. Luca Iotti is one to keep an eye on and probably the one to try and bring through next season at senior level. He's played for the Italy youth setups and is widely considered one of the best young CBs in the Italian game. He should be brought through and developed with the help of senior players, like Rami (who has a great work ethic), Bonera and imo also DS. Then we have another who's apparently a real gem in our youth team, Ivan Francesco De Santis. A young Italian International who at 16 is already considered a starter in Inzaghi's Primavera. Maybe give him another year at that level, but again we need to bring these guys through and afford them opportunities.
In midfield I like Milanista87's idea of Montolivo and Clasie. Clasie, despite being a regista is also very capable defensively (averaging stats comparable to outright destroyers). We need to reduce our reference points and increase the development of our play. I also think Clasie would compliment Montolivo well, as they have different approaches to the role. I don't think we can keep on with Muntari, Essien and De Jong, because they're way too limited to fit into the system. I want to see Poli more in midfield too, as he looked really good coming on vs Chievo. Cristante is the other one I'd really push, a player who's really Montolivo's natural long term replacement, I think he should be brought back into the squad next season and one of the first choice backups to the players we have. This would give us foundations for our long term midfield (Cristante, Clasie and Poli), with room for youth talents, like Manuel Locatelli potentially carving their space in the group.
In the line of 3, I think El Shaarawy is the ideal fit for the role Kaka's been given recently. His pressing and ability to run in behind from deep make him suited to this role and I'm desperate to see him tried here. On the left I'd like to see Taarabt redeemed if he can maintain the standards we've seen, although ideally we'd see maybe a new talent come in. That said, we have a young Moroccan in our youth set up that seems destined for this role in the next few years. On the right, if Honda can maintain his recent performances, I think we'll really see him grow into the role. I've always liked Cerci, but again I think the cost maybe too much.
Finally the attack. I'm 50/50 at best on Balo, but honestly I don't see us selling him this summer. If we were to sell, I would use the money to reinvest in areas I've mentioned above, but if not, we need to try and get Balo to do as he did vs Chievo every game. Pazzini's goint to be 30 this summer and I'm think it might be better to part ways soon before it's too late. My replacement would be Paloschi.
My view is very pragmatic, but my hope isn't much on who we buy now (other than say Murru and Clasie), but rather our success in growing our own players. I say these guys are our path back to the top, with real success found at youth level, with European victory and a strong chance to win the league too. I'm pushing a lot for our CBs to come through too. I don't think it's coincidence we have some of the most valued youth defenders in Italy and also have the joint best defensive record in Primavera.