Summer mercato 2012

[Gabriel426]

How can I be wrong, if those players played in other teams instead of Milan.

[Kastriot]

Numbers were assigned today. Princ will be the new 10.

[GeoTav]

How can I be wrong, if those players played in other teams instead of Milan.

What I meant is that we do develop talents, we do it as well as some other clubs. The problem is when comes the day the young player has to be given a chance in first team.

PS : By youth development, I think we use two different definitions ... You probably mean "all the process to build new talents AND insert them in first team", when by "youth development", I only mean the first part.

[ACMILAN1983]

Kastriot, you got in ahead of me lol

Anyway, shirt numbers are out (see http://www.milannews.it/?action=read&idnotizia=86705 ) and to me they are quite significant in many ways.

First thing, Taiwo and Didac are not included. Meaning it's safe to assume these guys will be sold if they aren't already pretty much out of the door. I'm surprised Mesbah has been given number 15 (his number from last season?), but I'm going to guess that's because he's been difficult to sell until now and could remain.

De Sciglio is our number 2, although this has been announced before. This doesn't necessarily mean much, but I would like to believe that he's number 2 and not some random number in double digits because the club see him as a big part of our future. We know Tassotti and Allegri like him, so there's hope that he will make his name with that number.

Acerbi, as we know, is number 13 which was Nesta's number. This isn't particularly significant, but does mean he got his idol's number.

Montolivo is 18. Again, nothing too significant, but if I'm correct it's been his favourite number through his career.

Nocerino is now number 8. This one is significant in a few ways. Firstly, Gattuso personally asked Nocerino to take it, meaning it has some weight and significance. To Rino, Nocerino's his natural successor at the club in terms of giving weight to the colours valuing and upholding the club's traditional values. This also should mean that Nocerino is seen as a valuable asset in the club and will be one of the key players for our future. It also means Nocerino no longer wears 22, Kaka's old number, potentially meaning the Brazilian might return to take his old number.

Pato is number 9. I think it's his favoured number, but it could also give an indication that the club intend to use him as a prima punta in the future, as our main goalscorer. The reason I feel this way is it's a bit odd to me as to why he changed his number 7 for 9, as both hold great importance, particularly in Milan.

Finally, and imo the most symbolic, is Boateng's the new number 10. This to me is a massive thing, as number 10 is traditionally one of the most significant numbers a player can have. You're talking about Pele, Maradona, Baggio, Platini and at Milan Rui Costa, Seedorf, Rivera and Gullit. For Boateng to be given this number means a few things to me. First and most important, it's the biggest show of faith I think the club has shown in Boateng, as they wouldn't just give it to anyone. Secondly, it shows that Boateng's role in this squad and size is more important than ever, as now, I think he's valued as a leader on the pitch. Finally, it could also maybe mean he stays in an advanced role and won't return to midfield. Truth is, this number could have been given to Cassano, Robinho or some big new signing and it would have been fairly normal, but I think in this choice the club have made a big statement.

[Ryo]

Kastriot, you got in ahead of me lol

Anyway, shirt numbers are out (see http://www.milannews.it/?action=read&idnotizia=86705 ) and to me they are quite significant in many ways.

First thing, Taiwo and Didac are not included. Meaning it's safe to assume these guys will be sold if they aren't already pretty much out of the door. I'm surprised Mesbah has been given number 15 (his number from last season?), but I'm going to guess that's because he's been difficult to sell until now and could remain.

De Sciglio is our number 2, although this has been announced before. This doesn't necessarily mean much, but I would like to believe that he's number 2 and not some random number in double digits because the club see him as a big part of our future. We know Tassotti and Allegri like him, so there's hope that he will make his name with that number.

Acerbi, as we know, is number 13 which was Nesta's number. This isn't particularly significant, but does mean he got his idol's number.

Montolivo is 18. Again, nothing too significant, but if I'm correct it's been his favourite number through his career.

Nocerino is now number 8. This one is significant in a few ways. Firstly, Gattuso personally asked Nocerino to take it, meaning it has some weight and significance. To Rino, Nocerino's his natural successor at the club in terms of giving weight to the colours valuing and upholding the club's traditional values. This also should mean that Nocerino is seen as a valuable asset in the club and will be one of the key players for our future. It also means Nocerino no longer wears 22, Kaka's old number, potentially meaning the Brazilian might return to take his old number.

Pato is number 9. I think it's his favoured number, but it could also give an indication that the club intend to use him as a prima punta in the future, as our main goalscorer. The reason I feel this way is it's a bit odd to me as to why he changed his number 7 for 9, as both hold great importance, particularly in Milan.

Finally, and imo the most symbolic, is Boateng's the new number 10. This to me is a massive thing, as number 10 is traditionally one of the most significant numbers a player can have. You're talking about Pele, Maradona, Baggio, Platini and at Milan Rui Costa, Seedorf, Rivera and Gullit. For Boateng to be given this number means a few things to me. First and most important, it's the biggest show of faith I think the club has shown in Boateng, as they wouldn't just give it to anyone. Secondly, it shows that Boateng's role in this squad and size is more important than ever, as now, I think he's valued as a leader on the pitch. Finally, it could also maybe mean he stays in an advanced role and won't return to midfield. Truth is, this number could have been given to Cassano, Robinho or some big new signing and it would have been fairly normal, but I think in this choice the club have made a big statement.

Also means we are on the lookout for a new 7, 11, and 33

I seriously don't understand why they just won't give Didac a chance. I watched the boy at the U-21 Euros like a year or two back and he was damn stable on the left, put in perfect crosses for Spain's strikers, and defended quite decently too.

This prejudice against Spanish players, regardless of how they didn't work out for us in the past is just frustrating. If we were so damn superstitious, we should just change our home jersey to all white!
I have this gut feeling that he's going to be thrown out on loan if we don't use him. Not sold, but out on loan again.



54 Bryan CRISTANTE
56 Simone Andrea GANZ
57 Mattia VALOTI
60 Edoardo PAZZAGLI
61 Philipp PROSENIK
Think we'll see them in the squad come August?

[ElMago99]

Matri, Astori, Abate, Paloschi, Merkel, De Sciglio, Carmona, Valoti come from Milan youth system just to name a few. I think they're all good (not great) players, but who knows how they could have developed if properly given a chance slowly with the first team instead of loaned out to Serie B or shitty Serie A clubs.

In terms of Cassano, I think he's very talented, a great player to come off the bench and really make a difference the last 20-30 minutes in a big game. The problem is that he's never been extremely fit, and he can fly off the handle at any moment. He's really been well behaved the past year, but who knows how he feels now.

If he wants to go, let him. We have Robinho and SES for SS, while Pato at first striker. We'll need another penalty box striker (Dzeko).

If we get an AM with more flair, than seeing Cassano leave wouldn't be a big deal. The problem is Milan just announced Boateng will wear #10, and Pato #9, which means not only is Cassano probably gone, but Boateng will stay at AM, meaning little creativity up front.

[GeoTav]

Matri, Astori, Abate, Paloschi, Merkel, De Sciglio, Carmona, Valoti come from Milan youth system just to name a few. I think they're all good (not great) players, but who knows how they could have developed if properly given a chance slowly with the first team instead of loaned out to Serie B or shitty Serie A clubs.

In terms of Cassano, I think he's very talented, a great player to come off the bench and really make a difference the last 20-30 minutes in a big game. The problem is that he's never been extremely fit, and he can fly off the handle at any moment. He's really been well behaved the past year, but who knows how he feels now.

If he wants to go, let him. We have Robinho and SES for SS, while Pato at first striker. We'll need another penalty box striker (Dzeko).

If we get an AM with more flair, than seeing Cassano leave wouldn't be a big deal. The problem is Milan just announced Boateng will wear #10, and Pato #9, which means not only is Cassano probably gone, but Boateng will stay at AM, meaning little creativity up front.

First part : I agree ... It's what I meant. We have struggled when we needed to make these players do the big jump in the first team, but we haven't struggled to develop their talent.

Astori is 10 times better than Bonera : we paid some money for Bonera while we would have paid nothing for Astori. Furthermore, a young player like Astori wouldn't have learned a lot from Maldini and Nesta instead of being a starter in other clubs ?
There is no good answer there of course, some might think it's better to play a lot of games, others might think they could learn a lot from our current WC players (the problem is no more there : we have no WC defender right now, so nowadays, for our defenders, I would send them on loan to get playing time, unless they're extremely talented and can be quickly involved in first team).

About the last part : It depends on who plays and the way we play ... If Kaka' comes back, and if we buy no other striker, we could see an attacking Christmas Tree formation with that kind of midfield/attack :

Flamini - Montolivo - Nocerino
Kaka' - Boateng
Pato

Boateng would play a "second striker" role there, Kaka' could dictate the game (of course, if he is in good health), Montolivo could also dictate the play from behind, and Flamini-Nocerino would be our runners. ELS would be the first sub for Pato, Robinho would be the first sub for Boateng, and Cassano would be the first sub for Kaka'. I think we wouldn't lack so much creativity and we would even have more than the past two seasons ... More importantly, we would maybe be more solid in midfield, and as a consequence, our lack of WC defenders (for moment) would be less important as these defenders would be more protected than in the past years.

[Kastriot]

In a christmas tree formation we will need another striker as Pato replacement. SES in not PRIMA PUNTA like Pato is, acutally now we are left with only one genuine striker. I really really am disappointed we did not keep Lopez, he would have fit perfectly now that we lack substitute striker.

[GeoTav]

In a christmas tree formation we will need another striker as Pato replacement. SES in not PRIMA PUNTA like Pato is, acutally now we are left with only one genuine striker. I really really am disappointed we did not keep Lopez, he would have fit perfectly now that we lack substitute striker.

IMO, SES/ELS is more complete than just "second striker" or "first striker" ...

Same goes for Pato, but with his lack of confidence, he has to be used as a pure goalscorer and nothing else as long as he doesn't gain some confidence back (and confidence will come back with goals).

[xudong]

I read an article on goal.com, and although being goal.com (most their articles I tend not to believe) that Cassano is likely to go to Genoa as they look to replace Palacio.. that would sound good, seeing as kaka is likely to come back to us.. but, this is a deal where I don't know who Genoa would give us in return.. I'd be happy with them signing destros other half then a direct swap but apparently Destro is practically a Roma player...

And La Gazetta reports Cassano "is flirting" with Inter ... While Kaka will come back "at home".

If Cassano leaves, we need a striker.

But Cassano to Genoa is something I don't see happening, because it seems he would like to come back to Samp, so why going to the rival ? Well, some might reply me why there are rumours he could go to Inter if he is in Milan, and you would be right !! But the guy never says he loves Milan, he's just one player moving quite regularly actually.

Cassano flirting with Milan? Interesting. Let's swap him with Ranocchia then.

LOL at the journalists for linking Cassano with Inter while he is a Milan player; and for linking Cassano with Genoa when he said that he wants to go back to Sampdoria.

I guess there is not enough controversies in the hot summer of Italy.

How can I be wrong, if those players played in other teams instead of Milan.

There is still Demetrio Albertini that fits your bill.

Finally, and imo the most symbolic, is Boateng's the new number 10. This to me is a massive thing, as number 10 is traditionally one of the most significant numbers a player can have. You're talking about Pele, Maradona, Baggio, Platini and at Milan Rui Costa, Seedorf, Rivera and Gullit. For Boateng to be given this number means a few things to me. First and most important, it's the biggest show of faith I think the club has shown in Boateng, as they wouldn't just give it to anyone. Secondly, it shows that Boateng's role in this squad and size is more important than ever, as now, I think he's valued as a leader on the pitch. Finally, it could also maybe mean he stays in an advanced role and won't return to midfield. Truth is, this number could have been given to Cassano, Robinho or some big new signing and it would have been fairly normal, but I think in this choice the club have made a big statement.

It is truly symbolic to me too, for all the reasons you offered. Maybe the clubs sees a long-term future in Boateng but not in Cassano or Robinho, but I like to comment that this #10 is perhaps the least stellar version in Milan history, at least for the past decades that I have followed Milan. Going backwards, Seedorf, Rui Costa, Boban, Savicevic, Ruud Gullit. As good as Boateng is, he is no way near the quality of those above mentioned names. It could as well indicate the club's lack of ambition, or at least lack of financial prowess, accompanied with a transition in the strategy of managing the club.

Of course, there can certainly be another explanation: Boateng asked for it, but Cassano and Robinho didn't. At Milan, we don't seem to assign numbers; rather, players call dibs.