06-21-2015, 11:10 AM
(This post was last modified: 06-21-2015, 11:23 AM by ACMILAN1983.)
devoted, I disagree seriously about Galliani. I think he's been doing a terrible job for years now, including the summer of 2010. The short term benefits of his work don't outweigh the long term damage it has caused and he's directly responsible, as much as Silvio, for the situation the club find themselves in today, where 100+ million must be spent to aim for a competitive year. I feel little confidence in Galliani and Silvio doing something good this summer, even with the money they have.
Anyway, I agree with him when he says that losing out on Kondogbia and J.Martinez could be an opportunity. The examples of both scenarios suggest transfers must be sealed and signed faster, maybe with Martinez having a medical completed sooner (e.g. prior to the Copa starting) and documents for Kondogbia being prepared earlier with an aim to get the signature before Inter could get in.
All that said, if I was in the club right now, I'd have a slight change in strategy in the players being brought in. It seems the club with Mihajlovic have identified the need for a centre forward, a box to box midfielder and central defender. Personally, I'd add a second midfielder and a second central defender to that list, as they are two areas we're seriously lacking.
For the striker role, I'd go after Cavani. I know he's not currently playing like he did in Napoli and has been the butt of jokes about missing chances, but the guy is still averaging 1 goal every 2 games at PSG, despite playing in multiple positions and second fiddle to Ibra, who it's known he doesn't get on with. This would mean no Ibra coming to Milan, but I don't think Ibra's a necessity and him coming in would mean SES is probably gone as well. I've always liked Cavani's team play and I think he could return to his best in a team where he's allowed to be the main man up front (he's struggling with Uruguay atm, but I think that's a strictly different problem).
For the midfield I'd obviously go for Allan, who I think I've argued my case for more than enough on the forum. I will say if he comes, I'd work on his shooting and get him running into the opposition box more to develop him.
The second midfielder I'd go for is Granit Xhaka, previously of Basel and now at Borussia Monchengladbach. He might be difficult to get, but he's a guy I'd really push for and imo would be better than the likes of Imbula or Witsel. Not really a box to box midfielder and more of a regista, he's been outstanding for the German club after a tough start. At Basel, he broke through with Shaqiri, who was the player getting the most hype, but Xhaka was considered the better player by the coach. Highly technical, very good in his defensive contribution and he dominates matches and runs the midfield. He's widely recognised for his high level of intelligence on and off the pitch, while he's got an interesting personality that can be both difficult, but I think is also precisely what Milan needs as a leader. Here are a couple of articles on the guy:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/24603...-in-flames
http://www.whoscored.com/Articles/i3k5xe...ost-Wanted
For the defence I'd want two highly quality CBs. One of those is Nikola Maksimovic of Torino, who is young and hugely promising. I like Maksimovic for his all round game, as he's not just a big, tough tackling CB, but seems intelligent in positioning, but also technically proficient and able to play the ball out from the back.
Alternatively, I'd consider Nicolas N'koulou of Marseille. We were after this guy a couple of years ago when it looked like we would get Yanga Mbiwa, but we got neither. N'Koulou's been growing year on year since and has just come out of an excellent season under Bielsa. What's interesting about that is he's adapted to Bielsa's pressing game and shown he's able to play a high line (which Milan need to do imo) successfully.
The reason I wouldn't go for both is because they both play as RCB and I doubt we'd see the best of them if one was to move to LCB.
With that in mind, that would mean another CB, but I'm not sure who at this point. Ideally, it would be a player of Thiago Silva or Matts Hummels quality (note both a leaders too), though realistically that might not be possible given how things are looking right now. Abdennour of Monaco is another name linked and I know he's apparently come off a good season, though admittedly I haven't really watched him too closely.
This wouldn't be cheap, I mean Cavani alone would cost 30-35m (I wouldn't pay more and would consider alternatives if PSG ask for more). I think Allan and Xhaka would both cost around 40m to get, while two CBs would also cost 35-40m (significantly more if one of those is Thiago Silva or Hummels or even Godin).
Realistically you're talking 115m to build a team that can realistically aim to compete. On top of that, the club should be looking to secure long term prospects, as it's not just about building for the present. Xhaka (22), Allan (24) and Maksimovic (23) are all medium to long term projects on top of the short term benefits they offer imo, but then to that the club need to try and add players like Jose Mauri, Gabriel Barbosa or Oliver Torres to try and plan for the future. That's something Chelsea have been investing heavily in for their long term future, while it's very well known in Italy that Juve dominate the Italian market.
Edit: Just seen the club is linked to Matuidi. I doubt very much PSG would be willing to sell. Witsel's another name, but again I'm pretty sure Xhaka is cheaper and imo a better player.
Anyway, I agree with him when he says that losing out on Kondogbia and J.Martinez could be an opportunity. The examples of both scenarios suggest transfers must be sealed and signed faster, maybe with Martinez having a medical completed sooner (e.g. prior to the Copa starting) and documents for Kondogbia being prepared earlier with an aim to get the signature before Inter could get in.
All that said, if I was in the club right now, I'd have a slight change in strategy in the players being brought in. It seems the club with Mihajlovic have identified the need for a centre forward, a box to box midfielder and central defender. Personally, I'd add a second midfielder and a second central defender to that list, as they are two areas we're seriously lacking.
For the striker role, I'd go after Cavani. I know he's not currently playing like he did in Napoli and has been the butt of jokes about missing chances, but the guy is still averaging 1 goal every 2 games at PSG, despite playing in multiple positions and second fiddle to Ibra, who it's known he doesn't get on with. This would mean no Ibra coming to Milan, but I don't think Ibra's a necessity and him coming in would mean SES is probably gone as well. I've always liked Cavani's team play and I think he could return to his best in a team where he's allowed to be the main man up front (he's struggling with Uruguay atm, but I think that's a strictly different problem).
For the midfield I'd obviously go for Allan, who I think I've argued my case for more than enough on the forum. I will say if he comes, I'd work on his shooting and get him running into the opposition box more to develop him.
The second midfielder I'd go for is Granit Xhaka, previously of Basel and now at Borussia Monchengladbach. He might be difficult to get, but he's a guy I'd really push for and imo would be better than the likes of Imbula or Witsel. Not really a box to box midfielder and more of a regista, he's been outstanding for the German club after a tough start. At Basel, he broke through with Shaqiri, who was the player getting the most hype, but Xhaka was considered the better player by the coach. Highly technical, very good in his defensive contribution and he dominates matches and runs the midfield. He's widely recognised for his high level of intelligence on and off the pitch, while he's got an interesting personality that can be both difficult, but I think is also precisely what Milan needs as a leader. Here are a couple of articles on the guy:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/24603...-in-flames
http://www.whoscored.com/Articles/i3k5xe...ost-Wanted
For the defence I'd want two highly quality CBs. One of those is Nikola Maksimovic of Torino, who is young and hugely promising. I like Maksimovic for his all round game, as he's not just a big, tough tackling CB, but seems intelligent in positioning, but also technically proficient and able to play the ball out from the back.
Alternatively, I'd consider Nicolas N'koulou of Marseille. We were after this guy a couple of years ago when it looked like we would get Yanga Mbiwa, but we got neither. N'Koulou's been growing year on year since and has just come out of an excellent season under Bielsa. What's interesting about that is he's adapted to Bielsa's pressing game and shown he's able to play a high line (which Milan need to do imo) successfully.
The reason I wouldn't go for both is because they both play as RCB and I doubt we'd see the best of them if one was to move to LCB.
With that in mind, that would mean another CB, but I'm not sure who at this point. Ideally, it would be a player of Thiago Silva or Matts Hummels quality (note both a leaders too), though realistically that might not be possible given how things are looking right now. Abdennour of Monaco is another name linked and I know he's apparently come off a good season, though admittedly I haven't really watched him too closely.
This wouldn't be cheap, I mean Cavani alone would cost 30-35m (I wouldn't pay more and would consider alternatives if PSG ask for more). I think Allan and Xhaka would both cost around 40m to get, while two CBs would also cost 35-40m (significantly more if one of those is Thiago Silva or Hummels or even Godin).
Realistically you're talking 115m to build a team that can realistically aim to compete. On top of that, the club should be looking to secure long term prospects, as it's not just about building for the present. Xhaka (22), Allan (24) and Maksimovic (23) are all medium to long term projects on top of the short term benefits they offer imo, but then to that the club need to try and add players like Jose Mauri, Gabriel Barbosa or Oliver Torres to try and plan for the future. That's something Chelsea have been investing heavily in for their long term future, while it's very well known in Italy that Juve dominate the Italian market.
Edit: Just seen the club is linked to Matuidi. I doubt very much PSG would be willing to sell. Witsel's another name, but again I'm pretty sure Xhaka is cheaper and imo a better player.