07-05-2016, 09:07 PM
I'm ok with Bacca leaving, but as nefremo said, it's the replacement that counts more. I think if the Chinese are serious and want to make a statement, then they can't let Bacca go and replace him with a name like Pavoletti. Fans would lose it imo, even if they sign a number of good names elsewhere. After all, every club with money has a star man up front.
On a general point, I also think we should curb expectation of this 400m over 2 years. Honestly, it's Berlusconi talking, a man with a history of lying and a man known to milk press opportunities to make himself look the hero any given opportunity. I'm not saying that with the deal there won't be money, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it is the 100m previously rumoured.
We've also been linked to Pastore in the past hour or two. I actually think that if he came, he'd be an ideal signing for Montella. His technical and attacking qualities aside, he's versatile with the ability to play in the wide areas and more recently has shown great ability playing in midfield (in a midfield 3). His attributes, his familarity with Italian football, his age (just turned 27) and the likelihood that there is a chance of getting him as his time at PSG is often limited means he could be a realistic target. I also think he'd be one of those "marquee" names I've been mentioning in the last few days, after all he's an internationally recognised player who if he came would be considered one of the star names in Milan.
Beyond that, personally I wouldn't particularly change strategy on rebuilding. I'd still be looking at Pjaca, Fernando, Paredes, Kovacic and Maksimovic (or Musacchio who seems more likely at this point). It's all about focusing on the overall project and bringing in players who will fit into a model of play, not just looking to get the biggest names. In that respect, the star names would be Pastore, the Bacca replacement and to a much lesser extent Pjaca and Kovacic. They may not appear to be the most exciting names, but I think they'd add substance to what we have.
I've been advocating the development of youth (I totally agree with Mathias on this, though I won't rant on about it again) and bringing in Italians too. Some might notice that in my list of names, I don't name a single Italian. The problem is the key areas we need players are areas where it's difficult to find the right Italian players. I mentioned earlier that I simply don't think it's feasible to replace Bacca with Pavoletti. The only Italian midfielder that really is ready to take a key role in Milan and is appealing is Verratti who I don't think is likely. We need a CB partner for Romagnoli and again it's difficult to see an Italian to fit the bill. Bonucci would be my pick, but he's simply not coming and a guy like Rugani seems a very big risk even if possible. Another Italian that I've mentioned before is Vazquez, but under Montella it seems he wouldn't have a role. That isn't to say we lose our Italian identity, it means we have to build it internally by trusting our core group of Italians (Donnarumma, Romagnoli, Abate, Antonelli, Montolivo, Bonaventura, maybe Poli, DES etc.)
However, one thing to note on the list of names I put, all, with the exception of Pjaca, have experience and have had some success in Italy (Kovacic imo was one of the brighter spots of Inter in recent years).
On a general point, I also think we should curb expectation of this 400m over 2 years. Honestly, it's Berlusconi talking, a man with a history of lying and a man known to milk press opportunities to make himself look the hero any given opportunity. I'm not saying that with the deal there won't be money, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it is the 100m previously rumoured.
We've also been linked to Pastore in the past hour or two. I actually think that if he came, he'd be an ideal signing for Montella. His technical and attacking qualities aside, he's versatile with the ability to play in the wide areas and more recently has shown great ability playing in midfield (in a midfield 3). His attributes, his familarity with Italian football, his age (just turned 27) and the likelihood that there is a chance of getting him as his time at PSG is often limited means he could be a realistic target. I also think he'd be one of those "marquee" names I've been mentioning in the last few days, after all he's an internationally recognised player who if he came would be considered one of the star names in Milan.
Beyond that, personally I wouldn't particularly change strategy on rebuilding. I'd still be looking at Pjaca, Fernando, Paredes, Kovacic and Maksimovic (or Musacchio who seems more likely at this point). It's all about focusing on the overall project and bringing in players who will fit into a model of play, not just looking to get the biggest names. In that respect, the star names would be Pastore, the Bacca replacement and to a much lesser extent Pjaca and Kovacic. They may not appear to be the most exciting names, but I think they'd add substance to what we have.
I've been advocating the development of youth (I totally agree with Mathias on this, though I won't rant on about it again) and bringing in Italians too. Some might notice that in my list of names, I don't name a single Italian. The problem is the key areas we need players are areas where it's difficult to find the right Italian players. I mentioned earlier that I simply don't think it's feasible to replace Bacca with Pavoletti. The only Italian midfielder that really is ready to take a key role in Milan and is appealing is Verratti who I don't think is likely. We need a CB partner for Romagnoli and again it's difficult to see an Italian to fit the bill. Bonucci would be my pick, but he's simply not coming and a guy like Rugani seems a very big risk even if possible. Another Italian that I've mentioned before is Vazquez, but under Montella it seems he wouldn't have a role. That isn't to say we lose our Italian identity, it means we have to build it internally by trusting our core group of Italians (Donnarumma, Romagnoli, Abate, Antonelli, Montolivo, Bonaventura, maybe Poli, DES etc.)
However, one thing to note on the list of names I put, all, with the exception of Pjaca, have experience and have had some success in Italy (Kovacic imo was one of the brighter spots of Inter in recent years).