02-02-2016, 08:37 PM
I haven't seen El Ghazi, Coric or Soldo play at all, so I am not going to have a very educated opinion on these guys. But overall, I at least like the direction we are going linking with these guys. Young players with big time upside are exactly what this team needs to usher itself into the new era. Whether we like it or not, we now lack the financial prowess or the brand allure for the top tier players around the world. If we are serious about getting back to being a powerhouse again, we have to start relying on young players who can develop into stars here.
That being said, it is a little concerning that we are targeting players that are so young. In recent years, Milan has become a very hostile place for players. Management is going through major changes, coaching staff changes every year, and the fans are ready to riot during every home loss. Even for championship level players, operating under these conditions can be hugely challenging. Every mistake you make gets overexposed by the media, and the fans will boo you like you just robbed their children's college tuition. The coach you build up relationship with gets criticized constantly and fired by management, because of the errors you make on the field. Playing for Milan is like trying to play in front of a firing squad on most days, or at least that's what it feels like.
Young players need patience above anything else. They need to feel the love, encouragement and stability of their environment in order to truly blossom, because they have no idea what it means to actually be a good footballer yet. At this Milan, I have a hard time seeing these 17, 18, or 20 year olds figuring out ways to develop quickly. Just think about it, Miha and his staff are here for now, probably gone by end of season; senior players on the team will be reshuffled again and again; and the fans and media will continue to put a target on their backs because they are the superheroes who are supposed to turn this team around. Who will actually be here to help these young players day in and day out, and make them better? The ever changing coaching staff has to focus on getting results, because their job depends on it; The senior players are all looking for their next team and probably won't waste their time helping the youngsters.
It is always cool to have young talent on teams, but we have to first get our internal issues resolved before we can expect young players to be have a chance at becoming great here. Without that, El Ghazi, Coric or Soldo will just end up the next DES, SES and Pato.
PS: Ernesto Bronzetti passed away today. Galliani lost one of his biggest allies in the soccer world. Is that perhaps why we did so little during the winter mercato? I know Bronzetti is very involved with a lot of the negotiations we get into.
That being said, it is a little concerning that we are targeting players that are so young. In recent years, Milan has become a very hostile place for players. Management is going through major changes, coaching staff changes every year, and the fans are ready to riot during every home loss. Even for championship level players, operating under these conditions can be hugely challenging. Every mistake you make gets overexposed by the media, and the fans will boo you like you just robbed their children's college tuition. The coach you build up relationship with gets criticized constantly and fired by management, because of the errors you make on the field. Playing for Milan is like trying to play in front of a firing squad on most days, or at least that's what it feels like.
Young players need patience above anything else. They need to feel the love, encouragement and stability of their environment in order to truly blossom, because they have no idea what it means to actually be a good footballer yet. At this Milan, I have a hard time seeing these 17, 18, or 20 year olds figuring out ways to develop quickly. Just think about it, Miha and his staff are here for now, probably gone by end of season; senior players on the team will be reshuffled again and again; and the fans and media will continue to put a target on their backs because they are the superheroes who are supposed to turn this team around. Who will actually be here to help these young players day in and day out, and make them better? The ever changing coaching staff has to focus on getting results, because their job depends on it; The senior players are all looking for their next team and probably won't waste their time helping the youngsters.
It is always cool to have young talent on teams, but we have to first get our internal issues resolved before we can expect young players to be have a chance at becoming great here. Without that, El Ghazi, Coric or Soldo will just end up the next DES, SES and Pato.
PS: Ernesto Bronzetti passed away today. Galliani lost one of his biggest allies in the soccer world. Is that perhaps why we did so little during the winter mercato? I know Bronzetti is very involved with a lot of the negotiations we get into.