Summer Mercato 2011

[reza]

The squad is indeed big but not for position behind strikers though.

About what Galliani said, I don't trust him 100% even for telling something about a player will stay or not.

For sure, especially the trusting Galliani part

[russo-neri]

Very disappointing news about Astori being sold. There's nothing to say about this other than it is a straight money grab. Granted, we are pretty deep at CB, but Astori might become one of the best CBs in Italy. It would have been nice to simply renew the coownership deal for another year. Next summer we might be in need of a CB if Nesta retires and Mexes never comes back to pre-injury form. But no, we'd rather have the 4 million.

It's hard not to become cynical when we make deals like this. This sale should show everyone how tight money is at milan. How can anyone hold out hope for us to sign multiple players like Gansoo and Cesc when we are scrounging for deals like this one? I'm not happy right now...

[Jay Crisp]

Well maybe Astori just ain't that good.He has not impressed me when I have seen him , which is only about 5 times.Allegri knows him well and maybe he said he is only worth 5 million , won't play much so bid no more than 2 or 3.
I don't think it's money grabbing , I think it's just sense.
I know player's mature especially defenders , but when Maldini left we got Silva .I expect when Nesta hang's them up we'll do better than Astori.Don't be so down..selling Astori and getting money .thats not a bad thing THATS A GOOD THING!!

[reza]

May be Vidic is coming














Starting very fake rumour

[Ryo]

From the way Galliani talked both will stay, actually it's pretty much official both will stay. True Sharaawy is not a striker but still the squad is big overall.

The squad is indeed big but not for position behind strikers though.

About what Galliani said, I don't trust him 100% even for telling something about a player will stay or not.

I would put my money on Pippo for only the commemorative matches, given he's already 38-39 now. Paloschi will be the one taking up his mantel, and I think Pippo will be a semi player/striker-coach role for us this coming season. Kinda like Ba was for a year or so.

Sharaawy is a fit for the position where we still have problems with. Seedorf isn't getting younger, and Boateng, whilst fast and strong, is kinda one dimensional. Cassano whilst technically gifted, is the Nutella king (he's so damn unfit!). The kid may be young, but he's gone up against players in Serie B. These are players that may be nearly twice his age and twice as tough, and he still managed to score 9 goals. I think the thing some members may be doubtful of is that he's had limited Serie A experience, but honestly Serie B is just as tough, if not tougher (they play harder-tackling even though they may be slightly less technical or tactical than Serie A sides). He managed to impress our scouts enough for us to take him up, and we actually valued him at 20M, which is almost as much as Pato back then! I'm expecting a lot from him actually, since we don't usually shell out that much money for talent unless its THAT good.

As for our mystery man, to fit into our current system, there are three things I've picked out that Allegri might be looking for.
1.) Ability to hold the ball and distribute with quality long or short passes. Last term our midfield three, whoever it was that played, played at a high tempo for all of our good games, with quality passes and holding of the ball. Highlighted in the Udinese game where Seedorf was horrendous, most of the 24 goals conceded were from counters from slack passing on our own part. The fact that we only conceded 6 in the whole of the second half (due to Van Bommel's involvement) shows how much Allegri values our passing to be proper and accurate.

2.) Ability and physique to defend and harry opposition when we don't have the ball. Last term, with Abate the only one bombing forward, this quality was mainly reserved for our right-sided midfielder. The way Flamini, Gattuso and Boateng at times would rush back to cover for Abate when he bombed forward was seriously important (even though Abate managed to rush back first nearly 90% of the time). This coming season, with Taiwo bombing forward like Abate, I figure we need someone with the physical strength and speed to block opponents and slow them down should we lose the ball up front. Ambro can do it with his positioning, but he really lacks the pace against opposing wingers and attackers. Our left flank was really our Achilles heel last season. (Can anyone do a stat on which positions we conceded from last season? I'm pretty sure most of the goals were lost from the left side)

3.) Ability to go for goal with the occasional runs and long range shots. Seriously, did anyone notice that apart from Van Bommel, every single one of our Senior Midfielders actually scored at least once throughout the entire campaign? This must be some kind of requirement from Allegri to make our team as unpredictible as possible to opponents. It was a joy to watch and see which of our midfield would be the ones bombing forward apart from our front 3 each match. I'm putting my bet on Allegri looking for someone with a mean shot and an eye for goal.

One other thing.... why does Uncle Fester Insist we need a Left-Sided midfielder now that Pirlo is gone? The guy's never played on our left side at all. He's normally in the Van Bommel Role, slightly on the right hand side too. In our best days, Seedorf was played in that left mid role, this I'm sure of. We now have Emanuelson on that side as well. Another throw off by the bald guy?

I don't know why, but I'm banking on Ganso. I am expecting Taiwo to be granted a French Passport soon regardless, its just a matter of time since he's met all the criteria anyway.
I think the blue eyes, left-sided mid and EU passport were just to throw people off. We're probably hammering down the buy-out clause or something.

[russo-neri]

Well maybe Astori just ain't that good.He has not impressed me when I have seen him , which is only about 5 times.Allegri knows him well and maybe he said he is only worth 5 million , won't play much so bid no more than 2 or 3.
I don't think it's money grabbing , I think it's just sense.
I know player's mature especially defenders , but when Maldini left we got Silva .I expect when Nesta hang's them up we'll do better than Astori.Don't be so down..selling Astori and getting money .thats not a bad thing THATS A GOOD THING!!

I guess. To be honest, the one time I saw him (meaning I really focused on his play because I wanted to evaluate him) he was pretty bad. Hopefully this is no big loss.

I'm getting cranky lately

[Maltese Charlie]

Sharaawy shouldn't be counted as surplus since he is not a striker. From what I read, he is more an attacking midfielder.

Paloschi will be loaned out I think since we still have Inzaghi. Our strikers should be Pato, Ibra, Cassano and Robinho. Inzaghi 'shouldn't' be also counted as he is there just so he can end his career with Milan.

From the way Galliani talked both will stay, actually it's pretty much official both will stay. True Sharaawy is not a striker but still the squad is big overall.

Yes the squad is big.
Allegri said that he prefers to have a squad of not more than 25 players but all of 1st team quality + the goalkeepers and some youths, so he can rotate them better.

[russo-neri]

Is goal.com down? I can't access it for the last 2 days. I'm looking for info on whether Ganso is playing tonight...

[Aficio]

Is goal.com down? I can't access it for the last 2 days. I'm looking for info on whether Ganso is playing tonight...

Fine with me. He'll play and Galliani & Braida will watch him (on TV)


Ganso to start for Santos against Penarol in Copa Libertadores final second-leg

The Brazilian club have their international playmaker available for selection as he has returned from a thigh injury in time for the return match against the Uruguayans

By Gareth McKnight
Jun 22, 2011 11:05:00 AM


Santos have received a massive boost ahead of the second-leg of the Copa Libertadores final against Penarol following confirmation that Brazilian international Ganso is set to feature in the clash.

The Sao Paulo-based team drew 0-0 with the Uruguayans in the first-leg last week, and know they can lift the title for the first time since 1963 with a win on Wednesday in the return match.

The side from Vila Belmiro have been without their playmaker for over a month, but coach Muricy Ramalho stated that the 21-year-old has been training with the first team after recovering from a thigh injury.

"Ganso is training well, [he] does not feel any pain when he moves with the ball, which was what bothered us the most," Ramalho told Globoesporte.

"He may be lacking match fitness and ideal body condition, but if nothing happens tomorrow, [he] should play," he concluded.

Veteran left back Leo has been struggling with an ankle knock, but should also be fit to feature in the game.

Meanwhile, Spanish daily Marca reports that Real Madrid have completed a deal to sign Neymar. However, this runs contrary to previous declarations from the player and Santos president Luis Alfaro Ribiero that no decision on the 19-year-old's future would be made until after the final.

[WCmilan]

Why would we sell Astori? This was a dumb move, but anyhow on the bright side we completed our 10mln deal with roma for boriello, they'll keep him on a permanent basis for 10mill, according to goal ... they should be making it official in a few days