Summer mercato 2009

[Gabriel489]

Well, to me, I think Hunter is third or forth striker for Real. As Benzema, Higuin and Raul(depends) are ahead of him.

Secondly, it is easy for us to say and judge that there will be other offers.....but what if there are not. And he ended up sitting on the bench for most of the season during a WC year. Then there is the agent factor that will keep telling him what will happen if he ends up sitting on the bench.....b/c the agent do get money from transfer.

Thirdly, those are just thoughts and opinions from us-diehard Milan fans.
Maybe in Hunter's head, Stuttgart has a better prospect than Milan. Or he does not like playing in Italy.....

[Dutchie-Milan]

Some news from Tuttomercatoweb about the 'mission' of Braida in Brazil:

It seems that A.Santos has a EU-Passport and a deal can be reached around 5.8 million euros. Also as we al know the alternative is Maldonado from Flamengo,and last but not least,if Pirlo leaves then Hernanes is the new target.

[Dutchie-Milan]

It Seems That Various Reports Are Saying We Have Agreed Terms With The Company That Has The Rights On Tevez And That The Deal Can Be Sealed Next Today!

[Gabriel489]

Is Santos really an upgrade from Janku and Antonini?

[Gabriel489]

It Seems That Various Reports Are Saying We Have Agreed Terms With The Company That Has The Rights On Tevez And That The Deal Can Be Sealed Next Today!

Is this one of your jokes or is this a REAL DEAL.

[GeoTav]

Is this one of your jokes or is this a REAL DEAL.

It looks like it is another joke ... and if that's the case, that's starting to be boring as it is the transfers of the real mercato topic and not fantasy signings one.

PS: I didn't find anything anywhere and anyway, if we don't want to pay 20M for Huntelaar or Fabiano, why would we pay 40M for Tevez rights ?

[swordfish]

elano could be a good signing

[kastriot]

Lets do an POO Scenario.

The most optimistic SCEnario:

------------Abbiati----------
Zambro---Nesta--T.Si--Cisokho
----Rinho/Fla--Pirlo---Hernanes
------------Dinho------------
--------Pato----L.Fabiano


The optimum(most probaly) Scenario

-----------Abbiati------------
Zambro---Nesta--T.S---A.Santos
---Rinho/Fla--Pirlo---Ambro/Fla
------------Dinho--------------
--------Pato-----L.Fabiano-----

The most pesimistic Scenario

-----------Abbiati---------------
Zambro---Nesta---T.Silva--Janku
--Rinho/Fla---Pirlo---Ambro/Fla
------------Dinho-------------
-------Pato---L.F/L.Toni/?/Borriello

A CF will arrive for sure,but cant say who.


I came to the conclusion that, in any case we can not challenge for the scuddeto nor the CL. There are way to much IFs (Leonardo,Nesta,T.Silva,Dinho,Borriello) and I am asumunig aother are solid good,and still I cant find the optimizm to say that We can do it!!

So what I'm basically saying, we will not be succesfull this year, as soon as u accept that,the better for all of Us. But lets be at least smart, and get 2 players now, one in the Winter Mercato and Dzeko and a defender next year. And then only we are set.

[Gabriel489]

It looks like it is another joke ... and if that's the case, that's starting to be boring as it is the transfers of the real mercato topic and not fantasy signings one.

PS: I didn't find anything anywhere and anyway, if we don't want to pay 20M for Huntelaar or Fabiano, why would we pay 40M for Tevez rights ?

Thats exactly what I thought, but knowing Berlu and Galli, they used to be full of GREAT surprises.

[Gabriel489]

The thing is that I doubt even with your most optimistic team, we can win the League as winning the league actually needs depth.
But in CL, I really think any team could win the CL, esp after group stages. As long as you are lucky with draws, forms of players and injuries(none for your team and many for your opponents). Having said that, as much as I love Milan to win CL with its current squad, I really don't want them to do so, as then Berlu and Galli will definitely not spend a cent anymore in Milan while extending the likes of Mr.4-time he will be Mr. 5-time with his contract and the rest of the Fantastic Four.

[Jay Crisp]

If we had finished fourth and got knocked out in qualifying it would of been better , as then B&G would know (they know already but hope ) that we are past it not crap but not able to challenge and would have to invest.

The thing is in 2 years (and I have no doubt ) they would still carry on with the same team are they really going to try and have this team play into there 40's its maddness and while I don't think there stupid the fact is when people hit old age (which they both have) rational thinking goes out the window. Have you ever noticed that old people always say everything Food , Movies , Sport , EVERYTHING is always better in the old days and the don't listen to reason.

These guys are not with it anymore the longer this goes on the are going to ruin Ac Milan to the point where it will take hundreds of millions and maybe 10 years to repair.

I think they are seriously bad for Milan and need to sell up or let a younger person run the club nothing crazy like Madrid but reasonable spending and planning for the future.

[GeoTav]

As the main sentence of this mercato is "we balance the books", if we had finished 4th, we would have sold Kaka' AND another of our stars as we would have earned less money (by not qualifying then to the CL groups stage) ...

So I don't really understand when I read people saying things starting by "I hope" and ending by "we don't win ...", no matter what competition. All I hope is that we will win next year and show to Real Madrid, Manchester City and other clubs of that kind that you can win with a good mix of players without spending hundreds of millions each mercato.

That said, it looks like I'm alone on this here ...

['The Bulldog']

how about we replace the fans?

let's start from you mrki, please get your purpose in life elsewhere.

although the scale of your pathetic display never fails to amaze me.

fLame you are an absolute @*!#head!! Actually you are the pathetic piece of *@#& that doesn't belong in this forum.

At least mrki contributes constructive opinions in whats relevant to this forum, all you provide is garbage!! You can't just post comments criticising whoever you want, just not on!!

I reckon you should be kicked-out of this forum for good...you are not wanted!!

[kastriot]

As the main sentence of this mercato is "we balance the books", if we had finished 4th, we would have sold Kaka' AND another of our stars as we would have earned less money (by not qualifying then to the CL groups stage) ...

So I don't really understand when I read people saying things starting by "I hope" and ending by "we don't win ...", no matter what competition. All I hope is that we will win next year and show to Real Madrid, Manchester City and other clubs of that kind that you can win with a good mix of players without spending hundreds of millions each mercato.

That said, it looks like I'm alone on this here ...
with the ending sentences you are making all of us like we hope dont win this season. i`m sure that everybody in this forums (except Gabriel,who publicly stated today that he doesnt want milan to win,so Berlu doesnt feel like he should stop pouring money in Milan :diablo:) wants Milan to win titles this year.

The only difference btw me and you is thati want to win for US, for our pleasure for our sake,and even Berlu`s sake, not to show/proof MADRID wrong, when in reality nobody wouldnt mind having kaka and CR7 here(because what you basically saying is that if CR7 benzema and albiol were to come here you would be unhappy. :cheers:

Me personaly, couldnt care less for them, even more when my team is going down atm.

['The Bulldog']

Reza, you are a adminstrator on this forum....seriously fLame needs to be banned from this forum.

Please read his latest comments towards mrki. I'm not looking after mrki, but you can't just post derogatory comments directed at other members.

[kastriot]

Reza, you are a adminstrator on this forum....seriously fLame needs to be banned from this forum.

Please read his latest comments towards mrki. I'm not looking after mrki, but you can't just post derogatory comments directed at other members.

he will come back with another username, its just his nature to that!! its better if you put an ignore on him,and youll be happy :D

[Gabriel489]

As the main sentence of this mercato is "we balance the books", if we had finished 4th, we would have sold Kaka' AND another of our stars as we would have earned less money (by not qualifying then to the CL groups stage) ...

So I don't really understand when I read people saying things starting by "I hope" and ending by "we don't win ...", no matter what competition. All I hope is that we will win next year and show to Real Madrid, Manchester City and other clubs of that kind that you can win with a good mix of players without spending hundreds of millions each mercato.

That said, it looks like I'm alone on this here ...

Barcelona, and ManU had done that. But they actually have a good mix of youth with Exp. players. Where as Milan have over the hill players or injury prone players with no depth.

[GeoTav]

Barcelona, and ManU had done that. But they actually have a good mix of youth with Exp. players. Where as Milan have over the hill players or injury prone players with no depth.

I don't think they balanced the books at all ... :D
And these clubs often splash big money, even if Barcelona complains about what does Madrid, they have spent a lot each year ...

[Gabriel489]

with the ending sentences you are making all of us like we hope dont win this season. i`m sure that everybody in this forums (except Gabriel,who publicly stated today that he doesnt want milan to win,so Berlu doesnt feel like he should stop pouring money in Milan :diablo:) wants Milan to win titles this year.

The only difference btw me and you is thati want to win for US, for our pleasure for our sake,and even Berlu`s sake, not to show/proof MADRID wrong, when in reality nobody wouldnt mind having kaka and CR7 here(because what you basically saying is that if CR7 benzema and albiol were to come here you would be unhappy. :cheers:

Me personaly, couldnt care less for them, even more when my team is going down atm.

What you are saying is for Milan to win and then have guys like Seedorf, DIda, Favalli, Kala and others to continue to play for Milan till they are 40s. While Berlu and Galli will stop adding to the squad....

Personally, I think it will take a miracle for Milan to win anything next year with its current squad.

As Juve is just getting stronger by the weeks and Inter is Inter.

[Gabriel489]

I don't think they balanced the books at all ... :D
And these clubs often splash big money, even if Barcelona complains about what does Madrid, they have spent a lot each year ...

Geo, thats how you build a competitive squad. You constantly need to improve the squad in order to stay on top.

[Rick]

Honestly, the only reason why Berlu is not putting money into Milan is not about whether he still has passion or not for the club, it's about his political career. He cannot have Milan spending millions when Italy's economy is in crisis. Berlu is weighing up the amount of fans for Milan and how many Italians have decided that their economic futures are more important than Berlu's billionaire playboy (should be playoldman, but it doesn't sound right) antics.

However, I understand why he would say that Milan is good as it is. For Berlu, this is not a statement for the fans, this is for his players. If you were a Milan player, and you didn't get public support from your owner, you'd feel angry, wouldn't you?

Put it in this way: If you had a job where your performance was of public interest, wouldn't you want your boss to give you public support? Morale has to be high with the players at Milan, and you get the sense that they know what they have to do, and Ambro has spoken of Milan's need to improve their performances.

I think Nesta is being bet on, heavily. It is a risk, but so are all sporting choices. Favalli was extended for his experience, Bonera I think is being trusted with a bigger role for this coming year. I feel for Bonera, I think he is a player who has not fulfilled his potential, but maybe he can be a late bloomer like Legro at Juve?

I think if you take a step back away from Milan, you just realize that our team is much better than you'd think. Our midfield is directed towards keeping stability, ensuring that possession stays in Milan's hands.

It seems that Leonardo will also be utilizing more attacking full backs, in fact, he will rely upon them. If that's the case, then Janku's defensive problems obviously aren't that big of a deal then, right? Sure, it'd be nice to have Maxwell, Cissoko, or Crisicto, but is Janku really that bad of an option?

Oddo is a good back-up for Zambro, and Zambro can play on either side, and who knows, maybe Luca Antonini will make a step up? I also cannot wait to see how Abate and Di Gennaro fit in Milan's squad. I also wonder about Viudez and Cardacio, perhaps Leonardo (who we all know is good at spotting talent, right?) has plans for them?

I think the most important thing is, this is Leonardo's first season, he is a young coach, and is in a far more difficult league than what Guardiola had to deal with and with a club with less resources (currently) available to its coach.

It seems obvious that Leonardo has taken a page out of Pep's book in requiring a higher work rate and this should be music to many's ears, and it seems that Milan will be a team that will work and fight for the ball, and clearly Leonardo has faith in the team and there is nothing better than players who are champions who feel they have something to prove.

Is Dinho a gamble? Yes. But, in all seriousness, without completely gutting the team and changing its entire style, which would make the transition even more painful and long, it seems Milan has no choice but to rely on Dinho. Again, our formation will look like this:

------------Abbiati
Zambro--Nesta--T. Silva--Janku
-Gattuso---Pirlo---Ambro/Flamini
-------------Dinho
-----Luis Fabiano---Pato

Not a major overhaul, because if you're honest, we don't have to have a massive overhaul. Our players, outside of Pato, are very highly regarded, and there is a difference between your average fan and people inside of football. If you ask those who really know their football, they know that Dinho is a gamble, but when you know what he can do, it's not a tough gamble to make.

I think the big signings really come next season, and it will be a gradual transition, because that's how players come in and out of Milan, to ensure stability and to put the club in the best place for success. Would you endure what Barca did prior to Ronaldinho (and really Davids) saving Barca? Sure, the last two years have been bad, but last year was more about injuries, and the players have said that, and if you don't trust them, then who do you trust?

We have always been doomed, we have always been a team of players who are too old, we don't have any invention, we have lost something that we should never have lost, and we have always bounced back. Just believe, if we have the positive energy, we can succeed, we can do well, but the first step is belief. This is not about being pessimistic or optimistic, this is about putting ourselves and our players in the best mindset possible.

Thanks for another thoughtful and well-reasoned post Samaldinho. Honestly, when I logged off last night I was so sick of all the b1tching and whining -- all the negativity in what seems like 90 percent of the posts around here, all the naysayers and doomsday prophets who seem to have a direct line into the minds of Galliani and Berlusconi so that they know exactly what their evil plans are and how they're plotting the end of Milan -- that I was seriously thinking about waiting until the season started before visiting this site again. I only clicked in on a whim, figuring I would see nothing but the doomsday crap and think "yep, I was right; this is just useless." But your post gave me a glimmer of hope and reminded me that there are still fans who can look at things reasonably. Good job! :cheers:

[Fret]

Everybody wants for Milan to win trophies and play good no matter what.
I can't just decide to stop being a Milan fan...it's in my heart....

But some people show their love by supporting everything this MGT does, and some show their support with criticizing when things start to go down hill whis is at least constructive, unlike being a sheep (not to offend anyone)

:1spie:

..let's just not split among ourselves into fractions now.... :)

[GeoTav]

with the ending sentences you are making all of us like we hope dont win this season. i`m sure that everybody in this forums (except Gabriel,who publicly stated today that he doesnt want milan to win,so Berlu doesnt feel like he should stop pouring money in Milan :diablo:) wants Milan to win titles this year.

The only difference btw me and you is thati want to win for US, for our pleasure for our sake,and even Berlu`s sake, not to show/proof MADRID wrong, when in reality nobody wouldnt mind having kaka and CR7 here(because what you basically saying is that if CR7 benzema and albiol were to come here you would be unhappy. :cheers:

Me personaly, couldnt care less for them, even more when my team is going down atm.

I don't ESPECIALLY want Milan to win to prove to other teams anything, but if we win, it will be a kind of proof. It's what I wanted to say. Each year, like you and like a lot of people, I hope we will win a title (if possible Serie A or CL), not to prove anything but just for the fact of winning and the pleasure, joy that gives to me, to us, to the club.

Then of course, I wouldn't be unhappy to have these players (even if actually, I wouldn't complain, but I wouldn't be the happiest guy in the world with them as I don't like Benzema and I don't especially like Ronaldo too even if I have to admit he is one of the best players on this planet), but we went in another direction, and complaining all the time about that won't change anything.

Of course, my last sentence wasn't said correctly, but I'm so sick to read all these pessimistic points of view ... I will check if you are in the pessimistic bandwagon, but you have to admit that it's starting to be all the time the same posts ?!

PS: Jay Crisp publicly said he would have prefered if we ended 4th and disqualified from the CL ... :D it's one more ...

[GeoTav]

Thanks for another thoughtful and well-reasoned post Samaldinho. Honestly, when I logged off last night I was so sick of all the b1tching and whining -- all the negativity in what seems like 90 percent of the posts around here, all the naysayers and doomsday prophets who seem to have a direct line into the minds of Galliani and Berlusconi so that they know exactly what their evil plans are and how they're plotting the end of Milan -- that I was seriously thinking about waiting until the season started before visiting this site again. I only clicked in on a whim, figuring I would see nothing but the doomsday crap and think "yep, I was right; this is just useless." But your post gave me a glimmer of hope and reminded me that there are still fans who can look at things reasonably. Good job! :cheers:

I'm saved, you noticed too ... :D

[GeoTav]

Everybody wants for Milan to win trophies and play good no matter what.
I can't just decide to stop being a Milan fan...it's in my heart....

But some people show their love by supporting everything this MGT does, and some show their support with criticizing when things start to go down hill whis is at least constructive, unlike being a sheep (not to offend anyone)

:1spie:

..let's just not split among ourselves into fractions now.... :)

You know, sheeps are the people who always support the management, but not only ... it's also the people who always bash the management. It goes in both ways.

The constructive people are the ones who are able to positively criticize when something is good and who are able to negatively criticize when they think something is bad ...

[Gabriel489]

I think you guys have to distinguish the ones being reasonable and the ones being positive.

I don't think it matters if you r being positive or negative about the current situation as this is a forum, fans have rights to express their opinions.

[Fret]

Yesss, you said it my friend
..."when things go bad"



..things are bad for the last two seasons

[MiamiMilanista]

I don't ESPECIALLY want Milan to win to prove to other teams anything, but if we win, it will be a kind of proof. It's what I wanted to say. Each year, like you and like a lot of people, I hope we will win a title (if possible Serie A or CL), not to prove anything but just for the fact of winning and the pleasure, joy that gives to me, to us, to the club.

Then of course, I wouldn't be unhappy to have these players (even if actually, I wouldn't complain, but I wouldn't be the happiest guy in the world with them as I don't like Benzema and I don't especially like Ronaldo too even if I have to admit he is one of the best players on this planet), but we went in another direction, and complaining all the time about that won't change anything.

Of course, my last sentence wasn't said correctly, but I'm so sick to read all these pessimistic points of view ... I will check if you are in the pessimistic bandwagon, but you have to admit that it's starting to be all the time the same posts ?!

PS: Jay Crisp publicly said he would have prefered if we ended 4th and disqualified from the CL ... :D it's one more ...

Very well put. I've gotten to the point where I only log on to see what Saliwonczyk has picked up from the rumor mill and what he thinks. The rest is a bunch of whining. No matter who we sign or dont sign, someone is going to come out and make a major complaint.

Everyone has been bashing Galliani on here when it comes to his money management, but what is so wrong with trying to low-ball a team?? Sevilla threw out a 35m price tag on Sevilla. Galliani is trying to bring them back to life and say he's not worth that much. WHAT IS SO WRONG WITH THAT!!?? If we can sign the hottest striker out there at the moment (Based on Confed Cup performance) for less than 20m, is anyone going to complain?

Trust me, I dont believe when he says our market is over after Fabiano or a striker. We all know there is a search for a left back or else we would have never "almost-signed" Cissokho. To be honest (I know I will get yelled at for this one), I would really like Dossena as a cheap option. He was amazing two years ago in Serie A, he's Italian, and to be honest, never was given a chance by Rafa's rotation in Liverpool.

:3band:

[naif1980]

gabriel , i totally disagree with you. Seedorf just turned 34 and he still can do alot for the team, favalli is a very good substitute and he has experience and can play in the left or as central defender, also can play in coppa italia.
personally i think milan need only a good goalkeeper ( maybe amelia ) , and a new LB as it seemed in the last season that janko can`t continue playin untill the end of the season. and a striker ( i prefer huntlaar ) and a CM such as hernanez and i prefer a good play who wudn`t mind to stay on the bench.

lets just hope that galliani will close the deal with a striker, maybe fabiano but i think he is expensive for his age.

[Gabriel489]

Very well put. I've gotten to the point where I only log on to see what Saliwonczyk has picked up from the rumor mill and what he thinks. The rest is a bunch of whining. No matter who we sign or dont sign, someone is going to come out and make a major complaint.

Everyone has been bashing Galliani on here when it comes to his money management, but what is so wrong with trying to low-ball a team?? Sevilla threw out a 35m price tag on Sevilla. Galliani is trying to bring them back to life and say he's not worth that much. WHAT IS SO WRONG WITH THAT!!?? If we can sign the hottest striker out there at the moment (Based on Confed Cup performance) for less than 20m, is anyone going to complain?

Trust me, I dont believe when he says our market is over after Fabiano or a striker. We all know there is a search for a left back or else we would have never "almost-signed" Cissokho. To be honest (I know I will get yelled at for this one), I would really like Dossena as a cheap option. He was amazing two years ago in Serie A, he's Italian, and to be honest, never was given a chance by Rafa's rotation in Liverpool.

:3band:

It is true that people are complaining and praising left right front and center lately.

Not going to discuss the Luis' deal as I think Galli is doing what every MGT should be doing.
But for the Cissohko's deal. Thats something I really cannot handle and deal with as from the looks of it, I really think Galli tried to get a discount on a player after the deal was done.

[Fret]

Everyone has been bashing Galliani on here when it comes to his money management, but what is so wrong with trying to low-ball a team?? Sevilla threw out a 35m price tag.
Galliani is trying to bring them back to life and say he's not worth that much. WHAT IS SO WRONG WITH THAT!!??

Hey man, I agree with you and Galli is right when trying to save some money.
In the case of Fabiano, I think 20 mill is too much for him and even I wouldn't pay more.

But you can't go out and offer 20 mil for David Villa or Fabregas.....

[Dutchie-Milan]

If you just look at the facts(our first team),then we can win the C.League,the group stage we will survive,thats just nothing to worry about,but really looking to our first team.....we won the CL with Janku as LB so we can do it again!

Abbiati
Zambrotta-Nesta-Silva-Janku
Rhino-Pirlo-Ambro
Pato-Fabiano-Dinho.

Really is it so bad?No its worldclass acctually,if this team can play up to standard they can win anything..

[Gabriel489]

gabriel , i totally disagree with you. Seedorf just turned 34 and he still can do alot for the team, favalli is a very good substitute and he has experience and can play in the left or as central defender, also can play in coppa italia.
personally i think milan need only a good goalkeeper ( maybe amelia ) , and a new LB as it seemed in the last season that janko can`t continue playin untill the end of the season. and a striker ( i prefer huntlaar ) and a CM such as hernanez and i prefer a good play who wudn`t mind to stay on the bench.

lets just hope that galliani will close the deal with a striker, maybe fabiano but i think he is expensive for his age.

A SEEDORF/Mr. 4-TIME CL winner fan. You must be the first one I met in years.
You say that Seedorf is 34 and can still gives a lot to the team. Well, what had he done for the team since he was 32? NOTHING.
As for Favalli, personally I don't mind him as a backup player, but I would rather have that spot for guys like Darmian or Alberterzzi. ESP in games in Coppa Italia.

[MiamiMilanista]

It is true that people are complaining and praising left right front and center lately.

Not going to discuss the Luis' deal as I think Galli is doing what every MGT should be doing.
But for the Cissohko's deal. Thats something I really cannot handle and deal with as from the looks of it, I really think Galli tried to get a discount on a player after the deal was done.

Definitely not going to debate that one. To me, it's quite the embarassment and supposedly we have a good relationship with Porto (this debacle should kill it).

I just read that Bari are chasing Andreolli. He played extremely well for the U-21s. I would love a Criscito and Andreolli swoop!

[Gabriel489]

If you just look at the facts(our first team),then we can win the C.League,the group stage we will survive,thats just nothing to worry about,but really looking to our first team.....we won the CL with Janku as LB so we can do it again!

Abbiati
Zambrotta-Nesta-Silva-Janku
Rhino-Pirlo-Ambro
Pato-Fabiano-Dinho.

Really is it so bad?No its worldclass acctually,if this team can play up to standard they can win anything..

May I remind you the miracles Kaka did against ManU and Bayern on the way for the CL win in 07. Then if it was not for Kaka dribbling and drawing in defenders against Pool in the final, there would have been no freekicks within 40ms of Pool's goal.

What I am saying is that winning CL does rely on luck more than the depth of the team. But with our current squad, even with Luis coming, Milan must hope to have easy draws every round while all the starting 11 remains in form and uninjure.

[Dutchie-Milan]

Andreolli?Wasnt he the one who was too light for Inter and is no co-owned by Roma.....hell ya he is!He is the cheapest and worst target we could get of all the young great defenders out there,Santacroce,Bochetti or like you said Criscito would be way better!

[GeoTav]

It is true that people are complaining and praising left right front and center lately.

Not going to discuss the Luis' deal as I think Galli is doing what every MGT should be doing.
But for the Cissohko's deal. Thats something I really cannot handle and deal with as from the looks of it, I really think Galli tried to get a discount on a player after the deal was done.

But about Cissokho, you have Galliani who says it failed because of the teeth problem (maybe he lies ... and it's just a problem of money, anyway, it's what most of the people here think), and you have Cissokho who says it's just a problem of money (maybe he lies ... he has teeth problems, and maybe he says that just not to have to pass another medical session in Porto and/or to allow other clubs to have interest for him).

You can make your choice in these hypothesis that are maybe both wrong ... as we don't know anything actually.

Anyway, all I will say is that when a problem is publicly stated, that can ruin the career of a player. So it's maybe why Cissokho keeps saying it's Milan that lies in this story.

And to finish, why Porto is so keen to sell him ?

PS: Other question, why is Porto going to sell half of their team ? lol, Lopez is going to go to Lyon, Lucho Gonzales is already a Marseille player, Cissokho will probably go, why ??

[Rick]

Everybody wants for Milan to win trophies and play good no matter what.
I can't just decide to stop being a Milan fan...it's in my heart....

But some people show their love by supporting everything this MGT does, and some show their support with criticizing when things start to go down hill whis is at least constructive, unlike being a sheep (not to offend anyone)

:1spie:

..let's just not split among ourselves into fractions now.... :)

And then there are those of us who understand how the transfer markets sometimes work; who have especially been around long enough to know that nothing in this transfer market has happened that we haven't seen at Milan before; who have seen plenty of Milan transfers come out of the blue or have been resurrected from being thought dead (like Nesta); who know enough not to worry about anything Silvio or Uncle Fester might say one way or the other during the transfer market; who understand that the market doesn't close until the end of August, leaving plenty of time for negotiations and transfers; and who have the patience to wait and see how things play out, not only until the end of the summer mercato, but -- realizing that Rome wasn't built in a day, nor was AC Milan -- even beyond as it won't be the end of the world if Milan doesn't get every player they target this summer because there's always next summer (and if Milan doesn't win the Scudetto or the Champions League this year, it won't be the end of the world).

[Fret]

@Rick
That's all true, but imagine a post like this one year ago.



.......just to say one thing: our team (with these players) can't play high pressure game, which ALL big teams are capable of doing.

[guestes]

Milan Edging Closer To Sevilla Star Luis Fabiano - Agent
The Brazilian’s representative is confident the Rossoneri will up the ante and a deal could be finalised as early as next week.
9 Jul 2009 11:35:23


Luis Fabiano
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani admitted yesterday that Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano is the only name left on their summer shopping list after signing USA defender Oguchi Oniewu on a free transfer earlier this week.

After failing to land Wolfsburg ace Edin Dzeko, the Rossoneri have turned their attention to the 28-year-old Brazilian international, but their initial offer was rejected by the Spanish club.

“Negotiations are underway between Milan and Sevilla, we are simply witnesses for the time being,” agent Jose Fuentes revealed to Sky Sport 24.

“Milan have lodged an official offer of €14 million with Sevilla, but it was not accepted. Let’s hope that Milan will now up their bid in order to reach an agreement.

“I am optimistic in life, the affair can end well. There is a meeting scheduled shortly, an agreement is close. Something could happen next week, we obviously hope that an agreement will be reached as soon as possible.”

Sevilla are believed to be holding out for at least €20m for their prized asset.

“That should be the right price, but an agreement could be struck at a lower figure,” concluded Fuentes.

Vince Masiello, Goal.com

I must admit, 20 million is alot for a 28 year old. However, after seeing what happened for Dzeko and Cissoko, I just want Milan to get him, whatever the cost....

[Hasan Rossonero]

It's simple: no one expects Milan to buy the C.Ronaldos and Benzemas. All we want is to see a good portion of the money we have made to buy players we need: a striker and two defenders. In my opinion, players like Santacroce are well within the reach of Milan. Anyway, I have decided to tone down my Galliani bashing. Let's judge at the end of August.

One thing is for sure--we have been the most miserly of all big clubs, and that is very disheartening.

[GeoTav]

It's simple: no one expects Milan to buy the C.Ronaldos and Benzemas. All we want is to see a good portion of the money we have made to buy players we need: a striker and two defenders. I have decided to tone down my Galliani bashing. Let's judge at the end of August.

One thing is for sure--we have been the most miserly of all big clubs, and that is very disheartening.

Liverpool didn't buy any player yet, nor really Barcelona.
Two big clubs already made some purchases: Manchester United and Real Madrid.

[Filipéz 182]

Liverpool didn't buy any player yet, nor really Barcelona.
Two big clubs already made some purchases: Manchester United and Real Madrid.

are you serious on this :D have you noticed that liverpool and barca's squad is 10 times our squad is!! + we've sold our best player.
with our current squad we cant win anything!! for CL we needed kaka, he's gone now, our squad is too old, and this problem is getting worse each year. our midfield is soooo slow and predictable. the only fast midfielder we had is gone... I dont expect anything from next season!

[Hasan Rossonero]

Liverpool didn't buy any player yet, nor really Barcelona.
Two big clubs already made some purchases: Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Sorry, I should have clarified that I meant in Italy, the country in which Galliani says there is a financial crisis that is causing the Italian clubs to fall behind. After all, it is only fair to judge the context that our club plays in.

Inter have kept Ibra and Maicon, paying the former a hefty salary. They have bought Milito and Motta. Juventus have had a superb market thus far too.

As for the other teams, yes Liverpool have not made any purchases, but they did not sell Torres either, you know their Kaka'. Barcelona are in for Villa, a superb signing that will bolster the best team in Europe.

Meanwhile, Ronaldinho has turned up to pre-season overweight.

So, yeah...

[Jay Crisp]

I
PS: Jay Crisp publicly said he would have prefered if we ended 4th and disqualified from the CL ... :D it's one more ...

I know there is a language barrier sometimes (by the way its a credit to those that don't have english as a first language to speak it so well) but i did not say I JAY CRISP WOULD PREFER IF WE FINISHED FOURTH AND DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR THE CL ,I was stating would it of been better would MGT then realise that the squad is not capable of competing.

It sounds like you are saying I don't want Milan to win or be succesfull thousands of euro's and thousands of miles and 20 years of following the club I love says different .

There is plenty of people on here who have said the same thing , this is a forum to express your opinion what you really believe or what you are thinking it dosn't mean I want milan to fail.

It means im totally flabergasted by MGT'S comments and people say they lie all the time about things they do but the fact is they are not willing to pay 20 million for Fabiano or Hunter now that is not peanuts obviously if I had that kind of money (which god willing somday i will...lol) Id be set but Il express my thoughts if I se fit once I don't abuse other people or make anyone mad , and sometimes it takes some one or a business to hit rock bottom before they see the error of their ways that was what I was getting at.

[fLame]

fLame you are an absolute @*!#head!! Actually you are the pathetic piece of *@#& that doesn't belong in this forum.

At least mrki contributes constructive opinions in whats relevant to this forum, all you provide is garbage!! You can't just post comments criticising whoever you want, just not on!!

I reckon you should be kicked-out of this forum for good...you are not wanted!!

Everyone sees an argument on his / her own level.

For example, if your level was of constructivism, you would have read my post as following - "it's time for the fans to review their own attitude rather than point fingers". But judging by your reply, everyone knows what your level is.

By the way, I didn't swear or insult anyone, which can't be said about yourself. You lose your friggin head with all the swear words and then call for the mods? LOL :wth:

[Filipéz 182]

Everyone sees an argument on his / her own level.

For example, if your level was of constructivism, you would have read my post as following - "it's time for the fans to review their own attitude rather than point fingers". But judging by your reply, everyone knows what your level is.

By the way, I didn't swear or insult anyone, which can't be said about yourself. You lose your friggin head with all the swear words and then call for the mods? LOL :wth:
ban this guy please :)

[Gabriel489]

But about Cissokho, you have Galliani who says it failed because of the teeth problem (maybe he lies ... and it's just a problem of money, anyway, it's what most of the people here think), and you have Cissokho who says it's just a problem of money (maybe he lies ... he has teeth problems, and maybe he says that just not to have to pass another medical session in Porto and/or to allow other clubs to have interest for him).

You can make your choice in these hypothesis that are maybe both wrong ... as we don't know anything actually.

Anyway, all I will say is that when a problem is publicly stated, that can ruin the career of a player. So it's maybe why Cissokho keeps saying it's Milan that lies in this story.

And to finish, why Porto is so keen to sell him ?

PS: Other question, why is Porto going to sell half of their team ? lol, Lopez is going to go to Lyon, Lucho Gonzales is already a Marseille player, Cissokho will probably go, why ??

The thing is that from the media, it seems like Galli does want to sign Cissohko, just not with 15mil.

TO me it shows something.

As for Porto wanting to sell. I think they made a push last year and now they are cashing in on its players. Kind of like Ajax ten yrs ago.

[Gabriel489]

And then there are those of us who understand how the transfer markets sometimes work; who have especially been around long enough to know that nothing in this transfer market has happened that we haven't seen at Milan before; who have seen plenty of Milan transfers come out of the blue or have been resurrected from being thought dead (like Nesta); who know enough not to worry about anything Silvio or Uncle Fester might say one way or the other during the transfer market; who understand that the market doesn't close until the end of August, leaving plenty of time for negotiations and transfers; and who have the patience to wait and see how things play out, not only until the end of the summer mercato, but -- realizing that Rome wasn't built in a day, nor was AC Milan -- even beyond as it won't be the end of the world if Milan doesn't get every player they target this summer because there's always next summer (and if Milan doesn't win the Scudetto or the Champions League this year, it won't be the end of the world).

True until the Kaka sell, as Milan/Berlu never sell Milan player at his prime.

Beside, I thought the League is starting in mid Aug instead of mid Sept. Thats one less month to work with. Would it make more sense to have the team ready by the start of the league instead of after the league started.

[Gabriel489]

I thought Pool already signed Glen Johnson-the most inform RB in the EPL last season.

As for Barcelona, can you really fault Barcelona for not signing players as their team just won the treble and most of their so call starting 15 are either in their prime or just hitting their prime except of Henry.

[fLame]

ban this guy please :)

No, ban this guy please :)

[Hasan Rossonero]

Why should fLame be banned? Honestly? Why? The only time people should be banned is if they are racist, homophobic, sexist etc.

fLame does have an obsession with mrki :D, but everyone is allowed to express their opinion. Quite frankly, he hasn't said anything offensive really. We have a very thin skin on this forum.

[GeoTav]

About the Huntelaar discussion, it looks like Marseille is also in the race for the player. A french newspaper reported that Huntelaar was in Marseille this morning to speak with the management of the club.

The problem is that Marseille is for moment offering 14M whereas Madrid wants some 22M.

For Marca, a deal has been reached with Stuttgart for 18M.

So, where's the truth ?!
All we know is we don't know if anything was signed or if there is any agreement ...

PS: Thanks to Marseille and their project, Ligue 1 could level up this year. Bordeaux has a serious team, Lyon must build up a little again, and Marseille tries to reinforce their striker position after the transfers of players in defence and midfield (thanks to the links of Deschamps).

[Gabriel489]

Well, Barcelona offered 40mil for Villa.
Thats a great deal considering Benzema gone for 35mil

['The Bulldog']

Everyone sees an argument on his / her own level.

For example, if your level was of constructivism, you would have read my post as following - "it's time for the fans to review their own attitude rather than point fingers". But judging by your reply, everyone knows what your level is.

By the way, I didn't swear or insult anyone, which can't be said about yourself. You lose your friggin head with all the swear words and then call for the mods? LOL :wth:

Lol...You are an absolute tool....totally contradict yourself...."review their own attitude" look at your attitude, constant negativity and always criticising other members posts...

Do yourself a favour and disappear from this forum...no one wants you here!!

['The Bulldog']

he will come back with another username, its just his nature to that!! its better if you put an ignore on him,and youll be happy :D

One that doesn't want you here....or totally ignores you!!

['The Bulldog']

ban this guy please :)

Two....have you got the hint yet fLame!!

[fLame]

Lol...You are an absolute tool....totally contradict yourself...."review their own attitude" look at your attitude, constant negativity and always criticising other members posts...

Do yourself a favour and disappear from this forum...no one wants you here!!

Wow, another insult. Way to show yourself as a valuable member for this forums.

FYI, I spent most of the time reading, and a small fraction of time posting.
I suggest you do the same. Then you wouldn't post things like "no one wants you here". I am actually trying hard to resist the temptation of ridiculing that childish statement. :5milan:

By the way, I criticize specific members only over their constant negative tone in the posts (often hypocritical). My suggestion for you - DON"T READ MY POSTS. Also, Felipez - DON"T READ MY POSTS. Thanks. Bye.

[Reza]

fLame and everybody, this is not the place to give opinions about other members.

I shouldn't be posting this again but I don't have much choice, everybody please stay on topic and don't insult anybody or others here on the forum. Threads like this will not be used for blaming each other either. Me and mods will be deleting off topic posts as well.

[Reza]

And to address some above posts...opinions on each other here is very different than opinions on how the team is doing, player x is Milan quality or not.
We will be reviewing the forum rules and if we have made an omission it will be explicitly added...we are not here to judge each other...you can say someone is wrong but not insult him on the way.

['The Bulldog']

And to address some above posts...opinions on each other here is very different than opinions on how the team is doing, player x is Milan quality or not.
We will be reviewing the forum rules and if we have made an omission it will be explicitly added...we are not here to judge each other...you can say someone is wrong but not insult him on the way.

Exactly Reza....thanks!! Listen up fLame.

['The Bulldog']

Wow, another insult. Way to show yourself as a valuable member for this forums.

FYI, I spent most of the time reading, and a small fraction of time posting.
I suggest you do the same. Then you wouldn't post things like "no one wants you here". I am actually trying hard to resist the temptation of ridiculing that childish statement. :5milan:

By the way, I criticize specific members only over their constant negative tone in the posts (often hypocritical). My suggestion for you - DON"T READ MY POSTS. Also, Felipez - DON"T READ MY POSTS. Thanks. Bye.

And you are a valuable member!! please..lol lol lol

"I criticise specific members only over their constant negative tone" and you are the most positive member on this forum...lol

"DON'T READ MY POSTS", do everybody a favour and just read and don't post.

[Rick]

True until the Kaka sell, as Milan/Berlu never sell Milan player at his prime.

Beside, I thought the League is starting in mid Aug instead of mid Sept. Thats one less month to work with. Would it make more sense to have the team ready by the start of the league instead of after the league started.

You have a very short memory. Shevchenko was 29 and coming off one of his best seasons (28 goals and a brilliant performance in the Champions League). Everyone thought Sheva was right in his prime (and he should have been). Nearly everyone on these boards thought it was the end of the world. Milan would never be the same. Yet Milan managed to win the Champions League that very season.

And you take a very shortsighted view of things if you think a few games in August are more important than the long term future. Other clubs will be adding players in July and August as well. Besides, I think Milan has a good enough squad just the way it is to avoid being relegated to Serie B by Sept. 1. :rone:

[Rick]

About the Huntelaar discussion, it looks like Marseille is also in the race for the player. A french newspaper reported that Huntelaar was in Marseille this morning to speak with the management of the club.

The problem is that Marseille is for moment offering 14M whereas Madrid wants some 22M.

For Marca, a deal has been reached with Stuttgart for 18M.

So, where's the truth ?!
All we know is we don't know if anything was signed or if there is any agreement ...

PS: Thanks to Marseille and their project, Ligue 1 could level up this year. Bordeaux has a serious team, Lyon must build up a little again, and Marseille tries to reinforce their striker position after the transfers of players in defence and midfield (thanks to the links of Deschamps).

Huntelaar would be a great addition for Marseille. It's funny, but he's also been linked heavily in the press with Manchester United, which got more money for Ronaldo than Milan got for Kaka and which also lost Tevez. It seems funny that United wouldn't already have him wrapped up if nobody else seems to be offering much more than Milan -- unless United thinks it's not a great idea to overspend in the current economic conditions. And looking at their transfer market thus far, I'd say SAF is being pretty conservative. Real Madrid seems to be the only club throwing money around like it's going out of style (although Barcelona may respond with some big spending of its own). Well, maybe United will make a move for Ibra, as is being rumored. :D

Here's a little tidbit:


Porto's Aly Cissokho could still sign for Milan according to his agent Fabrizio Ferrari: "Currently, the negotiations have not been completely abandoned, but at the moment nothing is happening, we'll see in the coming days," he explained to MilanNews.

I can't say it would surprise me if they ended up working it out once the two clubs wait each other out a little bit. A lot of deals have been declared dead before one club or the other finally gave a little and worked things out. We'll see.

[Iggy]

I'd also like to add that there is an ignore function on this forum, use it if you find a users post to annoying. Click the username, add to list, ignore. There, problem solved.

[Snapster]

I'd also like to add that there is an ignore function on this forum, use it if you find a users post to annoying. Click the username, add to list, ignore. There, problem solved.

:v103:

Bravo!

[Gabriel489]

You have a very short memory. Shevchenko was 29 and coming off one of his best seasons (28 goals and a brilliant performance in the Champions League). Everyone thought Sheva was right in his prime (and he should have been). Nearly everyone on these boards thought it was the end of the world. Milan would never be the same. Yet Milan managed to win the Champions League that very season.

And you take a very shortsighted view of things if you think a few games in August are more important than the long term future. Other clubs will be adding players in July and August as well. Besides, I think Milan has a good enough squad just the way it is to avoid being relegated to Serie B by Sept. 1. :rone:

Rick, you taken my point about being ready by Season starts completely the other way.
What I meant to say is I think the team should be ready before the season starts as it does take time for new players to gel. On top of that, with the friendlies schedule that Milan has, like 10 games in 40 days and 10 different cities. Thats not a lot of time for Leo to develop and train the squad. Most importantly try new tactics....

As for the sale of Sheva. Well the different is that Sheva will be 30. And on top of that Maldini did not retire when Sheva left.
The team right now is completely different than the ones that won CL in 2007. Not to mention how Kaka and Maldini saved Milan time and time again during the run in CL.

To look back, if you have time, look at the posts I made toward the end of this season around early April or so. I was probably the only one that said even if Milan did not sign any new players in the summer, as long as they call back guys like Polashi, Abate, DiGennaro and Gourcuff, they will be a force. As T. Silva and Nesta are the CBs that Milan lacks throughout the year, Gourcuff can play in both Pirlo or Seedorf role. While Borreillo who hardly played at all coming back to fill in the 2nd or 3rd striker spot. With Gattuso being back, Flamini will convery himself as a FB while moving Janku to midfield.
To me I thought thats a strong enough team.

[Gabriel489]

I really want to see how this Cissohko thing will end. It is really interesting.

[Gio-mania]

Well, maybe United will make a move for Ibra, as is being rumored. :D


They are offering some 35 million euros. Really a dismal offering. Moratti wants at least double as much...

But in a market not inflated by Real's shopping spree, 35 million wouldnt be too off his value.

[Fret]

If only Galliani went to visit Moratti and offered to buy Ibra for...let's say 25 mil
Just to see the look on Galli's face

I'd pay a lot of money to see that show :w154:

:D

[Filipéz 182]

I'd also like to add that there is an ignore function on this forum, use it if you find a users post to annoying. Click the username, add to list, ignore. There, problem solved.

thanx man! I does wonders :) I suggest the bulldag and mrki to do the same

[fLame]

And you are a valuable member!! please..lol lol lol

"I criticise specific members only over their constant negative tone" and you are the most positive member on this forum...lol

"DON'T READ MY POSTS", do everybody a favour and just read and don't post.

you were supposed to stop your babbling when Reza clarified the rules.
if you don't understand some of them, please PM him for clarifications.
this is the last time i am replying to you, seek attention elsewhere. :r11:

[Gabriel489]

If ManU offered 35mil. Galli will offer 20 mil and told Morratti that they are good friends....

[fLame]

thanx man! I does wonders :) I suggest the bulldag and mrki to do the same

please do it all three of you, I am gonna through a party just for that.

[fLame]

If ManU offered 35mil. Galli will offer 20 mil and told Morratti that they are good friends....

sometimes I wonder why does galliani even bother making offers, if he knows we can't match the price :(

[Fret]

Ok, anybody got any news? Galliani still in Brazil? Santos, Hernanes? Reports of some sort perhaps?
..

[Filipéz 182]

Ok, anybody got any news? Galliani still in Brazil? Santos, Hernanes? Reports of some sort perhaps?
..

Felipe Melo is signed!! By juve :)

[Gabriel489]

B/c Galli thought everyone want to be his friend....

[Rick]

Rick, you taken my point about being ready by Season starts completely the other way.
What I meant to say is I think the team should be ready before the season starts as it does take time for new players to gel. On top of that, with the friendlies schedule that Milan has, like 10 games in 40 days and 10 different cities. Thats not a lot of time for Leo to develop and train the squad. Most importantly try new tactics....

As for the sale of Sheva. Well the different is that Sheva will be 30. And on top of that Maldini did not retire when Sheva left.
The team right now is completely different than the ones that won CL in 2007. Not to mention how Kaka and Maldini saved Milan time and time again during the run in CL.

To look back, if you have time, look at the posts I made toward the end of this season around early April or so. I was probably the only one that said even if Milan did not sign any new players in the summer, as long as they call back guys like Polashi, Abate, DiGennaro and Gourcuff, they will be a force. As T. Silva and Nesta are the CBs that Milan lacks throughout the year, Gourcuff can play in both Pirlo or Seedorf role. While Borreillo who hardly played at all coming back to fill in the 2nd or 3rd striker spot. With Gattuso being back, Flamini will convery himself as a FB while moving Janku to midfield.
To me I thought thats a strong enough team.

Well, sure, ideally it would be great to have the whole roster worked out and everything in order, but that's very rarely the way it works for Milan or any other club. The problem -- and you may not see it this way, but in effect this is what it amounts to -- is that if you rush to hurry and fill your squad without negotiating for the best price, you've made panic buys. Maybe Real Madrid can get away with hurrying, but right now Milan can't. Or at least they don't want to end up half a billion euros in debt as Madrid is.

And surely changes made by Leonardo will affect the squad and it will take time, but this will be the case whether all the pieces are in place or not. Milan has a good enough squad right now to be competitive, so any players brought in during the month of August can be worked in slowly and given time to get up to speed. And more friendlies will only give more players a chance to get game action.

And yes, Sheva turned 30 his next birthday, but that's still in the prime of most players. When he was sold, Milan fans expected him to remain at the top of his game for at least two or three more seasons (they wouldn't have been so upset otherwise). Maldini is gone, it's true. But he's 41 years old and he was planning to retire a couple of seasons ago. While the things he was able to do at 39 or 40 were nothing short of amazing, he certainly hasn't been the player he once was for some time now. But other great players will come along. It rarely works as though Milan or any other club is an assembly line where you just replace the old part with a new one that's just as good. There are always transition periods. And you never know how players are going to work out. I've seen the same sort of clamoring for Santacroce this year that I heard for Oddo in 2006. If Milan could get Oddo and maybe one more, their defense would be set. So who knows if Milan brought in Santacroce or Mexes or some other flavor of the day they might not turn out to be another Oddo?

And I appreciate that you see that Milan still has a lot of talent left on the squad. But that makes me wonder why you seem to be in such a hurry? The squad has only lost one player to the market and another to retirement. Others will be around to take up the slack and Milan will add more players before the summer is over. Then more still next year as the finances should be in better shape. Maybe Milan won't win the Scudetto or the Champions League this year, but they will be fine and before you know it will be lifting trophies again.

[Fret]

Galliani, is that you?
:)

..on a side note, it looks like Melo is definitely going to Juve, Villa to Barca, and Huntelaar to Stuttgart?
Juve giving up on Santacroce....
All this is from goal.com......

[Gabriel489]

Personally I think Milan lost more than just two players this summer, they actually lost their leader and their go-to man. On top of that, I don't think MIlan is really an attractive place for players now except of Brazilians.

As to why I seems to be in a hurry for Milan to sign some good quality players. Well, thats b/c I think the pool of talented players are getting thin, as most teams would like to have 15-16 starting players in their squad. On top of that, I know you will disagree with me, I think teams are more toward, I don't mind holding onto my players or selling them at the right price market. Well, except for Porto.
In short, my true point is that I actually still have faith in Galli to get a deal or two done, but he will end up paying what the other teams asked instead of his prefer price, and if thats the case, why don't they make the deal now instead of a month later.

[Jeff]

Well, sure, ideally it would be great to have the whole roster worked out and everything in order, but that's very rarely the way it works for Milan or any other club. The problem -- and you may not see it this way, but in effect this is what it amounts to -- is that if you rush to hurry and fill your squad without negotiating for the best price, you've made panic buys. Maybe Real Madrid can get away with hurrying, but right now Milan can't. Or at least they don't want to end up half a billion euros in debt as Madrid is.

And surely changes made by Leonardo will affect the squad and it will take time, but this will be the case whether all the pieces are in place or not. Milan has a good enough squad right now to be competitive, so any players brought in during the month of August can be worked in slowly and given time to get up to speed. And more friendlies will only give more players a chance to get game action.

And yes, Sheva turned 30 his next birthday, but that's still in the prime of most players. When he was sold, Milan fans expected him to remain at the top of his game for at least two or three more seasons (they wouldn't have been so upset otherwise). Maldini is gone, it's true. But he's 41 years old and he was planning to retire a couple of seasons ago. While the things he was able to do at 39 or 40 were nothing short of amazing, he certainly hasn't been the player he once was for some time now. But other great players will come along. It rarely works as though Milan or any other club is an assembly line where you just replace the old part with a new one that's just as good. There are always transition periods. And you never know how players are going to work out. I've seen the same sort of clamoring for Santacroce this year that I heard for Oddo in 2006. If Milan could get Oddo and maybe one more, their defense would be set. So who knows if Milan brought in Santacroce or Mexes or some other flavor of the day they might not turn out to be another Oddo?

And I appreciate that you see that Milan still has a lot of talent left on the squad. But that makes me wonder why you seem to be in such a hurry? The squad has only lost one player to the market and another to retirement. Others will be around to take up the slack and Milan will add more players before the summer is over. Then more still next year as the finances should be in better shape. Maybe Milan won't win the Scudetto or the Champions League this year, but they will be fine and before you know it will be lifting trophies again.

A good post, I like it. Several comments:

1) Panic buy example: Oliveria. But of course, we also make mistakes by thinking a little bit too long, too late.

2) I think Oddo does have his contribution; but it's interesting how he lost his crossing flair.

3) I'm cheered up by your optimism, but it's hard for fans to have faith in the management when you sold your best player for money (at least that's the case for some folks here) and when you lost one of the best players to retirement, with only an American-born defender whom no one knows about (which is of course unfair to the player + no good for the team).

On a sidenote: really not sure if R80 can take up Kaka`'s role. I'm still doubtful; I think if he had wanted to be real determined to catch up (in terms of his physical fitness), he would have done it last season. But he didn't. I wonder why.

J

[Jeff]

Personally I think Milan lost more than just two players this summer, they actually lost their leader and their go-to man. On top of that, I don't think MIlan is really an attractive place for players now except of Brazilians.

As to why I seems to be in a hurry for Milan to sign some good quality players. Well, thats b/c I think the pool of talented players are getting thin, as most teams would like to have 15-16 starting players in their squad. On top of that, I know you will disagree with me, I think teams are more toward, I don't mind holding onto my players or selling them at the right price market. Well, except for Porto.
In short, my true point is that I actually still have faith in Galli to get a deal or two done, but he will end up paying what the other teams asked instead of his prefer price, and if thats the case, why don't they make the deal now instead of a month later.

I disagree about Milan not being an attractive place for players now except for Brazilians. "Show me the money, show me the contract, and with still world-class players and prestigious fame, why not?"

I do agree that it will take some time for other players (e.g., R80) to step up and take up Kaka`'s role. I'm less concerned by the retirement of our legend; it would have been a problem had Maldini been still on the top of his level; but like Rick said his performance is less than desirable in his last few years (though still better than many players of course).

Two reasons in response to your last question:

1) it's an assumption that you'll pay the same price for that player as of a month later. However, if you buy now, they know you are desperate, they are more likely to hold up the price. If you buy later, there is always the uncertainty (for both sides), and, IF the other team REALLY wants to sell and the player REALLY wants to go, the team is more likely to accept lower price.

2) If you do it once, teams that you deal with in the future will see how you perform in the past, and thus assume that any hold-back in the future is an indication of a no-buy (when in fact Milan actually wanted to bargain / negotiate), which reduces chances of reducing prices for subsequent transfer in the future.

Hope I make sense.

J

[Gabriel489]

Welcome back Jeff. Have not seen u in ages.

I thought Oddo did his job, somehow he just lost it the next season.
He actually did pretty well at Bayern until the X'mas break, don't know what happened.

Well, considering how Galli carries himself. I am pretty sure the other teams know how he works by now.

As for WC players coming to Milan, compare to other big clubs, Milan is at a disadvantage.

[ACMILAN1983]

A good post, I like it. Several comments:
2) I think Oddo does have his contribution; but it's interesting how he lost his crossing flair.

J

An excellent point. Oddo was wanted by many fans and in his first half season he was very good, and made a good contribution to our 4th spot and CL. What happened after that I don't know, but I think there's more to it than him simply becoming rubbish.

[sylrus]

sometimes I wonder why does galliani even bother making offers, if he knows we can't match the price :(

if you buy something
arent you gonna ask the seller to lower their price
i will
even if it just a meat

[Hasan Rossonero]

One thing that is really disconcerting is that Ronaldinho is out of shape. Does this strike you as a player who is committed to the cause? Pathetic. As a professional, the least he could have done is keep himself fit during the summer. The highest paid footballer in the squad turns up plump--how inspiring.

[Gabriel489]

He is not really out of shape, he just gained a few pounds.
And he is working hard now as we speak.

[Hasan Rossonero]

He is not really out of shape, he just gained a few pounds.
And he is working hard now as we speak.

He is overweight. He could have arrived in decent shape like the rest of the squad.

A lot depends on him next year, so he better shape up.

[slifersd]

You have a very short memory. Shevchenko was 29 and coming off one of his best seasons (28 goals and a brilliant performance in the Champions League). Everyone thought Sheva was right in his prime (and he should have been). Nearly everyone on these boards thought it was the end of the world. Milan would never be the same. Yet Milan managed to win the Champions League that very season.

And you take a very shortsighted view of things if you think a few games in August are more important than the long term future. Other clubs will be adding players in July and August as well. Besides, I think Milan has a good enough squad just the way it is to avoid being relegated to Serie B by Sept. 1. :rone:


Man, you need to move on from that CL win in 2007, as does everyone else in the world. Seriously, people, it was a lucky win! We were pounded by Liverpool for most of the game and got lucky with a freekick to the shoulder to take the lead. A lot of people were blinded by that win initially, including the management and refused to bring in quality players after that. And then what happened? 5th place in Serie A and a trip to the UEFA cup, where milan embarassed itself once again. Like what someone said in this thread, the CL involves a great deal of luck. And it just so happened that milan was incredably lucky that year and Kaka was playing like a madman. If you actually look long term, milan hasn't really been the same since Shevchenko left the team. Ever since the summer of 2006, have we ever even challenged for Serie A? Have we ever looked like we were the top club in the world? The answer is no.

It is never a good idea to use one example to justify an action. I once was able to park my car while drunk in a parking spot so tiny that i wouldn't usually think about it. Does that make DUI a good idea? We got one CL win after selling our best player, does that mean we should just sell every good player on our team so we can win the CL every year?

I agree with the fact that it is not realistic or smart for milan to sign all of its targets before august, but the thing is, they should at least sign some of them. Considering the number of quality signings this team needs (at least 3-4 really good ones), the negotiations will take a while for each of these players. That means, august wouldn't be enough for us to finalize everything with everyone. I think the best strategy is to bring in a couple of those signings before august and then use august to finalize the deals for everyone else. I have always hated to having to do everything at the last second as it always have a negative effect on quality.

[MiamiMilanista]

Ok, anybody got any news? Galliani still in Brazil? Santos, Hernanes? Reports of some sort perhaps?
..

The user from Australia is the only one that posts news or leads. Everyone else moans. On Milannews.it it says Fabiano's agent is quoted saying that the deal is close

[Ryo]

I disagree about Milan not being an attractive place for players now except for Brazilians. "Show me the money, show me the contract, and with still world-class players and prestigious fame, why not?"

I do agree that it will take some time for other players (e.g., R80) to step up and take up Kaka`'s role. I'm less concerned by the retirement of our legend; it would have been a problem had Maldini been still on the top of his level; but like Rick said his performance is less than desirable in his last few years (though still better than many players of course).

Two reasons in response to your last question:

1) it's an assumption that you'll pay the same price for that player as of a month later. However, if you buy now, they know you are desperate, they are more likely to hold up the price. If you buy later, there is always the uncertainty (for both sides), and, IF the other team REALLY wants to sell and the player REALLY wants to go, the team is more likely to accept lower price.

2) If you do it once, teams that you deal with in the future will see how you perform in the past, and thus assume that any hold-back in the future is an indication of a no-buy (when in fact Milan actually wanted to bargain / negotiate), which reduces chances of reducing prices for subsequent transfer in the future.

Hope I make sense.

J

Jeff! You're back!:p017:

As for your post, I think I get it, except for one little thing. The current track record of Milan indicates that Galliani will go for targets but ask for a reduced price, every single time. Given that everyone already knows that we'll be back soon enough to negotiate, especially if we're that desperate for a player, the selling team will could just as well up the price given our reduced market time, our desperation, all subject to their need to sell of course.

Most of the clubs with the pool of players which Milan are looking for tend to be prominent clubs on the rise, or steadily successful clubs. They don't need to lose a player for extra cash, they aren't that desperate. This mercato made it perfectly clear. If we can't match their expected prices, we're not getting the player. If we sell out and ask for a discount, we're not getting the player.

When the season ended, I was entirely optimistic, given I was already expecting Gorky to leave, given the treatment they dished to him. I was optimistic because if we'd brought back our youngsters, the squad would have been just about right, given one or two more signings. At that moment, we were a rebuilding side that had came off an injury prone season.

When we sold Kaka, I was negative, but not entirely predicting the end of the world. I saw that given the right re-investment, our team could well possibly rebuild. An extra 5 or 6 quality signings would have almost made up for the loss of the focal of our attacks, or so I thought.

But in the month that followed, every signal from management has indicated a further drop into the depths of despair. Where did the money that Silvio said was going to be reinvested into Milan's team go? What about the promises of quality players to replace the "O Holy One"?

It doesn't just stay with internal affairs as well. We're suppose to be a big team, with sufficient influence and financial clout to negotiate for the players we target. Yet why are we the only team amongst the top sides who can't pick up on even one of their chosen targets? Why is it only our team that cannot manage to shell out a few extra million to buy the player we "Most" desire? What is that 80 Million warchest going to be spent on, besides Berlusconi's private jet expenses?

Seriously, even with Kaka gone, I was expecting a good next season for us. I just don't see it now. Yes the youngsters are back, but who do they turn to? They could probably run circles around old man Slowdorf. Who's gonna mentor them now? They wouldn't listen to Pato, he's even younger than them.
Milan seriously have this huge generation gap, and with the mainstay link between the two generations gone, I just don't see how the team will be able to gel properly. So you see Jeff, it wasn't just because we lost players to retirement and sales, nor that we lost our coach to a rival in Europe. It's the problem that Management was complete cow dung in dealing with the aftermath that gets to me, and thats whats making me less and less optimistic about the team's chances the closer we get to the new season.


Oh, Rick, you said that we could afford not to have the new signings for the first two to three weeks of the season, right? Well, consider this. Last season, Milan lost the first two games of the season, no Kaka, and a semi-fit Ronaldinho playing. Do you really want so much to repeat that feat? To be 6 points behind Inter after two games into the season is definitely not the way I would like to start it off, and unless you have absolutely no expectation for the club to win anything so early, I really don't think you would either.

He is not really out of shape, he just gained a few pounds.
And he is working hard now as we speak.

You know, this just goes so far to prove how much he really wants to do well. Cassano went back to training a week earlier than everyone else at Samp, thats how committed he is to breaking back into the Italian team. With Ronnie, I see no motivation other than to pick up his fat pay cheque and go clubbing, he's not gonna get back into the Brazilian National team like this.

[Hasan Rossonero]

Man, you need to move on from that CL win in 2007, as does everyone else in the world. Seriously, people, it was a lucky win! We were pounded by Liverpool for most of the game and got lucky with a freekick to the shoulder to take the lead. A lot of people were blinded by that win initially, including the management and refused to bring in quality players after that. And then what happened? 5th place in Serie A and a trip to the UEFA cup, where milan embarassed itself once again. Like what someone said in this thread, the CL involves a great deal of luck. And it just so happened that milan was incredably lucky that year and Kaka was playing like a madman. If you actually look long term, milan hasn't really been the same since Shevchenko left the team. Ever since the summer of 2006, have we ever even challenged for Serie A? Have we ever looked like we were the top club in the world? The answer is no.

It is never a good idea to use one example to justify an action. I once was able to park my car while drunk in a parking spot so tiny that i wouldn't usually think about it. Does that make DUI a good idea? We got one CL win after selling our best player, does that mean we should just sell every good player on our team so we can win the CL every year?

I agree with the fact that it is not realistic or smart for milan to sign all of its targets before august, but the thing is, they should at least sign some of them. Considering the number of quality signings this team needs (at least 3-4 really good ones), the negotiations will take a while for each of these players. That means, august wouldn't be enough for us to finalize everything with everyone. I think the best strategy is to bring in a couple of those signings before august and then use august to finalize the deals for everyone else. I have always hated to having to do everything at the last second as it always have a negative effect on quality.

We were lucky, but we had the quality to tear Man U apart, even if they were missing players. We also had the quality to beat Bayern in Germany. To be sure, we had the benefit of only having to play in Europe, but nonetheless, an awesome CL win.

The rest of the post, yeah I agree.

[Ryo]

We were lucky, but we had the quality to tear Man U apart, even if they were missing players. We also had the quality to beat Bayern in Germany. To be sure, we had the benefit of only having to play in Europe, but nonetheless, an awesome CL win.

The rest of the post, yeah I agree.

We also had the quality to hold Celtic to 180 minutes of goalless football, until "He-who-should-not-have-been-sold-without-replacement" popped up with an extra piece of quality to put us into the clash against Bayern in the first place.

Just admit it, the whole campaign that season was a one-man show. Unfortunately, his closest successor in the team is 3 to 4 years short of a finished product, and you can bet that should some tragedy in placings befall us one too many seasons (in this, I actually mean two seasons), then Mr. Successor will leave for greener pastures as well.

[Hasan Rossonero]

We also had the quality to hold Celtic to 180 minutes of goalless football, until "He-who-should-not-have-been-sold-without-replacement" popped up with an extra piece of quality to put us into the clash against Bayern in the first place.

Just admit it, the whole campaign that season was a one-man show.

Kaka' was huge that year. But so was Seedorf and so was Inzaghi. Gattuso was decisive as well.

I agree about Pato. I don't see him at Milan for more than 5-6 years.

[Rick]

Personally I think Milan lost more than just two players this summer, they actually lost their leader and their go-to man. On top of that, I don't think MIlan is really an attractive place for players now except of Brazilians.

As to why I seems to be in a hurry for Milan to sign some good quality players. Well, thats b/c I think the pool of talented players are getting thin, as most teams would like to have 15-16 starting players in their squad. On top of that, I know you will disagree with me, I think teams are more toward, I don't mind holding onto my players or selling them at the right price market. Well, except for Porto.
In short, my true point is that I actually still have faith in Galli to get a deal or two done, but he will end up paying what the other teams asked instead of his prefer price, and if thats the case, why don't they make the deal now instead of a month later.

Well, here's how I see it differently from you, I suppose. Right now teams are looking at all the money Real Madrid is throwing around and they're hoping to cash in on their star players for big money. Right now, they're holding out and not accepting bids that are actually fairly reasonable. So if you buy star players now, you're paying a premium. But as we get a little farther along into the mercato, those same teams will start to realize they're not going to get quite as much for those players as they think in the current economy or it will get to the point where they may have their eye on other players but need to sell first, then it will be easier to negotiate with them. I think it's smart not to jump in and pay 22 million euros for Fabiano if you can get him for 18 later, so maybe that's why the market is moving so slowly for Milan and other clubs right now. None of us really know what's going on behind the scenes, so it just seems to me the best course is to wait and see what happens.

A good post, I like it. Several comments:

1) Panic buy example: Oliveria. But of course, we also make mistakes by thinking a little bit too long, too late.

2) I think Oddo does have his contribution; but it's interesting how he lost his crossing flair.

3) I'm cheered up by your optimism, but it's hard for fans to have faith in the management when you sold your best player for money (at least that's the case for some folks here) and when you lost one of the best players to retirement, with only an American-born defender whom no one knows about (which is of course unfair to the player + no good for the team).

On a sidenote: really not sure if R80 can take up Kaka`'s role. I'm still doubtful; I think if he had wanted to be real determined to catch up (in terms of his physical fitness), he would have done it last season. But he didn't. I wonder why.

J

Thanks Jeff. I understand your concerns, because right now we're kind of in the Twilight Zone. But in the long run things have always turned out fine for Milan before, so I'm not giving up the ship until I see it going down. Maybe we have to grab a few buckets and throw some water overboard once in awhile, but the old ship is still seaworthy.

As for Ronaldinho, I'm actually fairly optimistic. He played pretty well early in the season, but later on he wasn't getting opportunities and maybe he lost a little focus. He's used to being the center of attention and I'm sure the past two seasons have been difficult for him. But this year it seems the offense will run through him and that's exactly the situation where he's always thrived before. He has every reason in the world to bust his ass to prove all his doubters wrong and this is his only opportunity to ever play in a World Cup again. It's hard for me to imagine that he won't take advantage of the opportunity that's been placed in front of him. The timing is right. He's still at an age where he should be in his prime. It remains to be seen if he can do it, of course, but I like his chances. If he doesn't do it now, his career is finished.

Man, you need to move on from that CL win in 2007, as does everyone else in the world. Seriously, people, it was a lucky win! We were pounded by Liverpool for most of the game and got lucky with a freekick to the shoulder to take the lead.

As I said earlier in this thread, nobody wins the Champions League without being lucky. Even if you crush your opponent in the final, somewhere along the way something will have gone your way to get you to that point. There are too many good teams for it not to be otherwise. But the point is that Milan did win the Champions League that year -- without Shevchenko and without summer transfers. That's the bottom line. The sky didn't fall in 2006. It's not falling now.

[Maltese Charlie]

Most probably Pirlo is leaving soon.

Hope it is not true.




Sul sito Qsvs.it troviamo un'altra notizia che sara poco gradita da noi tifosi milanisti. Infatti ci sarà un altro grande addio in casa Milan. Andrea Pirlo lascerà Milano e andrà a Londra. Le voci circolavano già da parecchie settimane, da quando Berlusconi l'aveva pubblicamente messo sul mercato. Ogni giono si sono susseguite indiscrezioni alle quali Galliani rispondeva dicendo: "offerte non ce ne sono". In realtà le dichiarazioni di Ancelotti: "Il Chelsea non ha ancora fatto un'offerta ma il mercato è ancora lungo" unite alla gaffe di Pippo Inzaghi “….adesso Kakà e Pirlo non ci sono…” non lasciano dubbi. Al momento opportuno ci sarà l'annuncio ufficiale, probabilmente prima della partenza dei rossoneri per gli Stati Uniti. A quel punto la società deciderà se investire il ricavato su un centrocampista dalle caratteristiche simili (D'Agostino o Ledesma) o se concentrare gli sforzi economici per il terzino sinistro e utilizzare buona parte del ricavato per il bilancio. Se cosi fosse Jankulovski, sul quale Leonardo nutre serie perplessità circa le sue attitudini da difensore, verrebbe impiegato stabilmente a centrocampo. Staremo a vedere, quello che è certo è che l'anno prossimo nel bene o nel male sarà un Milan completamente diverso da quello degli ultimi anni.

[mrki]

I hope Hernanes will be the player Milan will insert in our midfield. Ledesma is not near Hernanes, also D'agostino.

As expected, we need more money for some reason. The books need to be super secured.

I also hope Milan's ultras will continue what they have started.

[Fret]

Why does everybody think Ronaldinho will put an effort now just because it's a World Cup season?
What about putting an effort for your club - Milan?

Shouldn't he have put his effort last year then? Why didn't he?

If you don't want to play for Milan then leave :wave:

[Maltese Charlie]

I hope Hernanes will be the player Milan will insert in our midfield. Ledesma is not near Hernanes, also D'agostino.

As expected, we need more money for some reason. The books need to be super secured.

I also hope Milan's ultras will continue what they have started.

Continues what?????

[Maltese Charlie]

HA Ha Ha....

Huntelaar is not in France. The story that he is talking to Olympique was invented by a Hacker.

Amaising how it was spread around the world.

[GeoTav]

HA Ha Ha....

Huntelaar is not in France. The story that he is talking to Olympique was invented by a Hacker.

Amaising how it was spread around the world.

I'm French and I read that on a French site that reported what was said in a newspaper from Marseille (so a local newspaper) ... so we're far from a news spread around the world !! :D

Anyway, it's probably false as it seems the player is closer and closer from Stuttgart.

[MiamiMilanista]

Milannews.it is reporting that Leonardo will be opting for either a 4-3-3 OR 4-2-3-1 OR 4-3-2-1

[spina_don]

no it said we'll be using the 4-3-3 formation but 4-3-2-1 and 4-2-3-1 can also be used...it said sometimes we'll use 4-4-2 to attack through the wings...but the main formation would be 4-3-3

[johncharles365]

any one fancy seeing a brochure of adebayor key competences arsenal fans are really desperate to get rid of this player- http://www.oleole.com/blogs/arseblog/posts/exclusive-adebayor039s-michael-owen-style-brochure

[Rick]

Why does everybody think Ronaldinho will put an effort now just because it's a World Cup season?
What about putting an effort for your club - Milan?

Shouldn't he have put his effort last year then? Why didn't he?

If you don't want to play for Milan then leave :wave:

I keep reading all these comments about how Ronaldinho showed nothing last year and they always conflict with my own memory of some of his performances last autumn. So I did a search of last year's match threads and posts about Ronaldinho. From the opener against Bologna until around the end of November, posters were raving about Ronaldinho for the most part (I'd say the comments were close to 90% positive). This was especially true in certain matches (the victory over Inter being one). Ronaldinho is playing great! God bless Ronaldinho! One person even commented that it looked like the old Golden Ball Ronaldinho was back! Then along about December I started reading comments about how difficult it was for Kaka, Pato and Ronaldinho to all play in the lineup together. Then Beckham came along and Ronaldinho was primarily on the bench. There was talk of a rift between Ronnie and Carlo.

So it seems my memory was right. Ronaldinho played very well most of the time when he got the opportunity -- especially in the first few months. He was obviously discouraged by the situation in the second half of the season, but the situation is different now. He will be in the lineup every week. The offense will run through him. He has every reason to be motivated not only for Milan victories, but to prove wrong his naysayers and to win back his spot for Brazil's World Cup team. Everything is lined up for him as well as it could possibly be. So I just don't understand why, at 29, so many of you are so convinced that it's not possible for Ronaldinho to put one season of injury and another of limited and sporadic opportunities behind him and return to form.

Of course, it's possible that he won't return to form. Maybe he will just go through the motions. If that's the case, Milan should just go ahead and release him to go back to Gremio. But the truth is that Ronaldinho has everything to gain by responding to the challenge and opportunity that lies ahead of him. His very career is at stake. His reputation is at stake. Those are the situations that bring out the best in champions. So I would not bet against him.

And if you don't remember him playing well last autumn, here's the search results. Browse through it yourself.

http://www.milanmania.com/forums/search.php?searchid=313839

[fLame]

any one fancy seeing a brochure of adebayor key competences arsenal fans are really desperate to get rid of this player- http://www.oleole.com/blogs/arseblog/posts/exclusive-adebayor039s-michael-owen-style-brochure

LOL... actually it's really fun...

I guess Milan fans are being easy on Seedorf afterall :sweeteye:

[MiamiMilanista]

Watching Milan Classics right now. Two things:

1. The team has not changed very much from the early 2000s :( and
2. Boy I wish Seedorf and Pirlo moved the way they used to!!

[otoniel]

Watching Milan Classics right now. Two things:

1. The team has not changed very much from the early 2000s :( and
2. Boy I wish Seedorf and Pirlo moved the way they used to!!

can you share the link with us ? :D

[guestes]

Let's keep in mind that Pirlo was injured last season, and made his way back late. It took a while for him to get back to fit, and at the same time, Beckham was pulling all the strings in the midfield. Obviously not good for Pirlo's confidence.

That being said, there is absoloutely nothing that suggests he will be close to his best next season, and he is getting older. If the right offer comes in from an obsessed fan like Carlo, we should sell him. Remember, Milan always values the players' opinion in a potential transfer, so that's why Seedof didn't leave... In fact, that's is why a quarter of our list hasn't packed up!

[MiamiMilanista]

can you share the link with us ? :D

It was on GolTV earlier

[guestes]

Surprisingly, when I was watching the confed cup game between Italy and the Us, pirlo ocassionally broke from a walking jog to a proper run!
When he is given a lack of space, especially from the hard-tackling USA midfielders, he becomes less effective to a great extent. I think Beckham however, is far more rounded, and can run fast enough, and evade well enough. If Becks can come back to milan.....

That is why players such as Hernanes will be better. Problem is, the South American clubs will be asking far too much for their men. Anything above the 20 million mark is a challenge for Milan, depsite reaping 80 million from sales. How much really went into "balancing the books" and into Berlu's pocket?
We can't have been that broke!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/00979/berlusconi-main_979480c.jpg


http://politicaesocieta.blogosfere.it/images/berlusconi%20in%20manette.jpg

[guestes]

What would you guys want after (if) Fabaino arrives?:

In my opinion, we still need one more CB/LB/RB to seal up the defense and free up Janko for more of a midfield role, whilst also acquiring a GK. Most likely, none of the young Keeping stars will arrive that we have mentioned, but I hope this Keeper is either a proven on the European stage, or a talented yet relatively unknown one. ... Didn't we sign a South American keeper last year, yet he was meant to come a year later? Maybe his performances weren't up to scratch?

[rt9]

I also don't know what the doom and gloom is about. We lost Maldini---who we knew was going to retire anyways AND we already bought a replacement in Thiago Silva AND Nesta appears to be fit. What's the problem?? We have not seen Thiago Silva play even one game, and people are already saying our central defense sucks.

We lost Kaka, again we already have a replacement--Ronaldinho. He does not have the characteristics of Kaka, BUt this team has won even before Kaka joined. With "slower" AM's like Rivaldo and Rui COsta, we were able to tear apart teams. Pato will now be the one responsible for injecting pace and increasing our tempo. For me, Ronaldinho will be the next RUi Costa--putting in passes and creatning chances for our strikers----only difference being that R80 can still beat players one on one, whereas Rui Costa couldn't.

As for strikers, we will finally be getting the targetman we sorely lacked last year. Fabiano/Boriello would be great options to have up front with Pato and R80 supporting. QUite frankly, I dont see the situation to be as dire as most of you.

[rt9]

And believe me, management are looking for a new left back. It's obvioius. Of course they're going to say we don't need anyone else, they said similar things about central defenders and then Gooch was signed out of the blue.

Galliani would be insane to purposely "find" a problem in Cissokho's medical. He wanted Cissokho, went to Portugal, and had a deal agreed. We were happy to pay 15 M. Why would Galliani then try to lower the price when an agreement was already in place? It doesnt serve anyone. Admit it, there is a genuine problem with the player's medical and hence a lower price is warranted. And I personally don't care, if we don't get Cissokho, then so be it, it's more of a loss for him, than for Milan.

[guestes]

I also don't know what the doom and gloom is about. We lost Maldini---who we knew was going to retire anyways AND we already bought a replacement in Thiago Silva AND Nesta appears to be fit. What's the problem?? We have not seen Thiago Silva play even one game, and people are already saying our central defense sucks.

We lost Kaka, again we already have a replacement--Ronaldinho. He does not have the characteristics of Kaka, BUt this team has won even before Kaka joined. With "slower" AM's like Rivaldo and Rui COsta, we were able to tear apart teams. Pato will now be the one responsible for injecting pace and increasing our tempo. For me, Ronaldinho will be the next RUi Costa--putting in passes and creatning chances for our strikers----only difference being that R80 can still beat players one on one, whereas Rui Costa couldn't.

As for strikers, we will finally be getting the targetman we sorely lacked last year. Fabiano/Boriello would be great options to have up front with Pato and R80 supporting. QUite frankly, I dont see the situation to be as dire as most of you.

I am worried about the lack of alternatives from Dihno. Seedorf cannot split a game open like before, so Leo must have other tatical ideas in place incase Dihno fails.

[rt9]

Exactly, Leo will have to figure out more ways for us to play. Seedorf can play a role, I feel, but his work rate will have to increase from previous years. Otherwise, I am curious to see what formation Leo will opt for and how he will integrate wing play into the side.

[slifersd]

As I said earlier in this thread, nobody wins the Champions League without being lucky. Even if you crush your opponent in the final, somewhere along the way something will have gone your way to get you to that point. There are too many good teams for it not to be otherwise. But the point is that Milan did win the Champions League that year -- without Shevchenko and without summer transfers. That's the bottom line. The sky didn't fall in 2006. It's not falling now.

What you said is true, every team needs luck to win the title. The thing that bugs me, however, is that you keep preaching about how sky didn't fall down and everything is just fine. Other than that CL win, what exactly has Milan done since the Shevchenko sale? We haven't won the Serie A since he has been gone; we had to play in UEFA cup for the first time in a long time; we became the laughing stock of the transfer market; and the icing on the cake is when we sold our best player for cash again merely three years later. What exactly has to happen to convince you that the team is in crisis? By Milan standard, the current situation this team is in is the crisis state. The sky did fall down on us and turned us into the second rate team we are right now.

[Gabriel489]

Juve signed Melo for 18Mil+Marchanni, Canna for free, and Diego for 25mil sofar this season. Last year they signed Amauri for 15MIl+players, Poulsen for 8mil or so and Sissoko for about 8mil. Two years ago, they got Tiago +Almiron for about 40mil and Iqunita for about 10mil after playing in Series B. Thats a total spending of 124Mil with one year of playing with CL and did not sell any of their major players. Yes, they did sold Ibra, Thuram, Viera and Zambro four yrs ago, but they also played in Series B.

Milan signed Gooch for free, T. Silva for 16mil and will probably sign one or two more players before season starts, but sold Kaka for 65mil and Gourcuff for 15mil. Last years, they signed Dinho for 18Mil, Zambro for 12mil, Flamini for Free, Loan Senderous for 2mil, recall Borreillo for 8mil while sold RO for 10mil, Gila for 15mil and Brocchi for 1mil. Two years ago, they signed Emerson for 6mil and Pato for 20mil after winning the CL.
Thats a total spending of 82mil while out going players=106mil. On top of that, they won the CL, thats must be like 100mil.

Where did those money gone?

[hitmannq8]

Gabriel, you dont really have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure that one out. That's why most of us here are angry, we can see us fans being cheated upon and all we can do is just watch. That's why these protests must keep on going.

[guestes]

AC Milan keeping tabs on Hoffenheim star Carlos Eduardo
10.07.09 | tribalfootball.com
AC Milan are monitoring Carlos Eduardo's situation at Hoffenheim.

Milan chiefs are aware of Zenit St Petersburg's interest in the Brazilian attacking midfielder, who is rated in the £12 million class by Hoffenheim. Wolfsburg are also keen after selling Diego to Juventus (WTF?).

Encouraging for Milan is that Eduardo is about to secure an Italian passport.

The Rossoneri are weighing up whether to wait until the January market to move for Eduardo, which is when his passport should be secured.

He could be the perfect alternative for Dihno. I say, wait to see how Dihno goes, and if he is struggling or injured, bring in this guy.

[guestes]

Juve signed Melo for 18Mil+Marchanni, Canna for free, and Diego for 25mil sofar this season. Last year they signed Amauri for 15MIl+players, Poulsen for 8mil or so and Sissoko for about 8mil. Two years ago, they got Tiago +Almiron for about 40mil and Iqunita for about 10mil after playing in Series B. Thats a total spending of 124Mil with one year of playing with CL and did not sell any of their major players. Yes, they did sold Ibra, Thuram, Viera and Zambro four yrs ago, but they also played in Series B.

Milan signed Gooch for free, T. Silva for 16mil and will probably sign one or two more players before season starts, but sold Kaka for 65mil and Gourcuff for 15mil. Last years, they signed Dinho for 18Mil, Zambro for 12mil, Flamini for Free, Loan Senderous for 2mil, recall Borreillo for 8mil while sold RO for 10mil, Gila for 15mil and Brocchi for 1mil. Two years ago, they signed Emerson for 6mil and Pato for 20mil after winning the CL.
Thats a total spending of 82mil while out going players=106mil. On top of that, they won the CL, thats must be like 100mil.

Where did those money gone?

Many clubs in a better position than us right now, work in debt. I am not saying this is the way to go, but Galliani shouldn't be afraid to borrow cash. if we just auto-finance ourselves, we won't be a force for another 5 years or so... If Milan has to go on like this, fans must voice their concerns about the lack of investment from MGT. This is the way a struggling mid-table club manage themselves.....

[Xudong]

shouldn't have looked at the tribalfootball. it is worse than galliani's mouth.

[Samaldinho]

I'd like to begin my post with thanks to those who praised my last post, it was very nice of all of you, thank you.

I'm glad that there is optimism here, there should be. There is obviously optimism with the players, and they know that they can do a lot more then they have shown before.

Ambro has scored more goals last season then he ever has. Gattuso was playing out of his skin before he got injured, and Pirlo seemed to grow back into his former self as the season progressed, albeit with some inconsistency. Flamini has grown and come from a "great for a free-transfer" to a mainstay of Milan's squad. This is the backbone of our midfield, and with Beckham hopefully returning, we will have a very strong core to work with.

Will Seedorf rise to occasion? Well, frankly, he has to in order to get a spot in this new squad. If he wants to play, he will have to work hard, and I don't see why he won't.

Plus, if people ask what a world-cup year does to a player, look at what Beckham did to get back into England's team. Ronaldinho has not shown that he has the same work-ethic (few players in history, actually can come close to Beckham's work ethic) but Ronaldinho has always been able to bank on his past to get him through his last tough patch.

Players have worked extremely hard for World Cup squads, look at Totti's return from injury for 2006, or Ronaldo for 2002. Ronaldinho knows that people in Brazil are thinking of how Brazil's squad is now Kaka's. Don't you think that infuriates him? Don't you think seeing Kaka wear his number 10 bothers him?

Ronaldinho does not have to do what Cassano has to do to get back into his National Team squad. I don't remember Ronaldinho screaming and tearing at his shirt over a yellow card, skipping training, or cursing at his trainers. Ronaldinho doesn't have an attitude, he could have been cursing and screaming while he was being benched. He was respectful when saying "I don't want to sit on the bench, but I respect the coach." So, he doesn't have to do this show and dance that Cassano does, because he has a great attitude and lifts team's spirits.

Does the team lack real depth? If Fabiano comes, the strikers will be Luis Fabiano, Pato, Inzaghi, Boriello and Zigoni. I think that's good there. Midfield will consist of Pirlo, Ambro, Flamini, Gattuso, Seedorf, Abate, Di Gennaro, and Ronaldinho. Don't forget the Uruguayans, who I feel will decide their future with this next season. The defense is worrying, I admit, but it will be good, if Nesta can stay healthy. That seems to be the bet of Milan, and I'm scared of it, but, if you're going to bet on a defender, why not bet on one of the best defenders in the last 20 years?

I think Janku will be pushed higher up the field, especially as it looks like a LB will be coming in. If I'm honest, I'd take Criscito over Cissoko or Andre Santos (who I don't think was that amazing anyways) but, again, the defensive qualities of the full back are secondary in Leonardo's formations because the full backs are designed to push forward, while the midfield cannot be "dynamic" and fast, which means open to threat.

The midfield's job is to hold possession, keep the battle in Milan's favor and establish dominance. Who better to do that than Flamini, Gattuso and Ambro? Who better to offer smart tactical passes than Pirlo? Honestly, think about who these guys are again.

Milan is not done with the transfer market, I wouldn't be surprised if we get more than a CF and a LB, though Beckham's winter return will provide more options for Leonardo in the second half of the season. Milan are a team that obviously are not scared of spending money when needed, but, I don't see a 28-29 year old striker, especially one of Luis Fabiano's quality being worth more than 20 million. In fact, I would have trouble paying over 18 million for him, and I don't see why it's suddenly a problem that Galliani doesn't want to spend more money on an older player, when apparently, that's all we do.

We are not a laughing stock. We are not a second-rate team. We are a team that has turned out to be smart in the end. We always have been a team like that. If this is a surprise to you, then I wonder if you've known about the way Milan do things?

Many refer to Barca as a sort of comparison to us. If you look at Barca, their team was not to great last year. They got rid of Ronaldinho, Messi stepped up to a more consistent role, Henry finally played like he could and Etoo stayed to play like he could. So, we get rid of Kaka, Pato steps up his game, Ronaldinho finally plays like he can, and Seedorf stays to play like he can? Okay, maybe Seedorf won't play well, but I don't see why Pato and Ronaldinho can't come good.

Furthermore, Barca's team was structured around players brought to the club during Rjikaard's era. The players brought in for Pep really didnt play as significant a role as the other players. Keita did not play as much as Yaya, and Pique was the only real addition, who came good since Milito's injury.

So, honestly, a change of attitude, a new coach, a fresh chance to start over, these things actually can make a player who a year ago wasn't doing that well. Barca's squad is an example Milan can honestly look at.

If you want to talk about a player, who comes up big for his team when they need it, and you're saying that we don't have that players anymore (since Kaka left) then I just have to ask, have you watched Ronaldinho before? I'm not even talking about during his frightening best with Barca, but with us?

Against Braga he scored a scorcher. Against Napoli he pushed the team forward, hitting the free-kick to win the game. Against Inter he played very well, better than Kaka, and scored the game-winner. He dragged Milan back against Portsmouth, coming on with 16 minutes left to go and the score at 2-0.

Yes, it did not go exactly to the script, but this was his first season in Serie A, and I think Ronaldinho will relish the chance to not just prove his doubters wrong, but to show up Barca, to show up Kaka, to show Brazilians that his smile is still genuine and that he can still produce the moments of magic, of pure fantasy, to really just change a game.

Ronaldinho needs support, he is going through a low period, and has been. Our job for this club is to give those players that helping hand, that encouragement, that belief that they can do what we know that they can. If we don't believe in them, who will?

[guestes]

shouldn't have looked at the tribalfootball. it is worse than galliani's mouth.

Yeah, but it sometimes picks up different stories from the main websites. though, as you said, the likeliness of it being true is minimal.

When it does have a true report, it pops up hours later than other sources....

Still, what do you think of Eduardo?

[guestes]

:w155:I'd like to begin my post with thanks to those who praised my last post, it was very nice of all of you, thank you.

I'm glad that there is optimism here, there should be. There is obviously optimism with the players, and they know that they can do a lot more then they have shown before.

Ambro has scored more goals last season then he ever has. Gattuso was playing out of his skin before he got injured, and Pirlo seemed to grow back into his former self as the season progressed, albeit with some inconsistency. Flamini has grown and come from a "great for a free-transfer" to a mainstay of Milan's squad. This is the backbone of our midfield, and with Beckham hopefully returning, we will have a very strong core to work with.

Will Seedorf rise to occasion? Well, frankly, he has to in order to get a spot in this new squad. If he wants to play, he will have to work hard, and I don't see why he won't.

Plus, if people ask what a world-cup year does to a player, look at what Beckham did to get back into England's team. Ronaldinho has not shown that he has the same work-ethic (few players in history, actually can come close to Beckham's work ethic) but Ronaldinho has always been able to bank on his past to get him through his last tough patch.

Players have worked extremely hard for World Cup squads, look at Totti's return from injury for 2006, or Ronaldo for 2002. Ronaldinho knows that people in Brazil are thinking of how Brazil's squad is now Kaka's. Don't you think that infuriates him? Don't you think seeing Kaka wear his number 10 bothers him?

Ronaldinho does not have to do what Cassano has to do to get back into his National Team squad. I don't remember Ronaldinho screaming and tearing at his shirt over a yellow card, skipping training, or cursing at his trainers. Ronaldinho doesn't have an attitude, he could have been cursing and screaming while he was being benched. He was respectful when saying "I don't want to sit on the bench, but I respect the coach." So, he doesn't have to do this show and dance that Cassano does, because he has a great attitude and lifts team's spirits.

Does the team lack real depth? If Fabiano comes, the strikers will be Luis Fabiano, Pato, Inzaghi, Boriello and Zigoni. I think that's good there. Midfield will consist of Pirlo, Ambro, Flamini, Gattuso, Seedorf, Abate, Di Gennaro, and Ronaldinho. Don't forget the Uruguayans, who I feel will decide their future with this next season. The defense is worrying, I admit, but it will be good, if Nesta can stay healthy. That seems to be the bet of Milan, and I'm scared of it, but, if you're going to bet on a defender, why not bet on one of the best defenders in the last 20 years?

I think Janku will be pushed higher up the field, especially as it looks like a LB will be coming in. If I'm honest, I'd take Criscito over Cissoko or Andre Santos (who I don't think was that amazing anyways) but, again, the defensive qualities of the full back are secondary in Leonardo's formations because the full backs are designed to push forward, while the midfield cannot be "dynamic" and fast, which means open to threat.

The midfield's job is to hold possession, keep the battle in Milan's favor and establish dominance. Who better to do that than Flamini, Gattuso and Ambro? Who better to offer smart tactical passes than Pirlo? Honestly, think about who these guys are again.

Milan is not done with the transfer market, I wouldn't be surprised if we get more than a CF and a LB, though Beckham's winter return will provide more options for Leonardo in the second half of the season. Milan are a team that obviously are not scared of spending money when needed, but, I don't see a 28-29 year old striker, especially one of Luis Fabiano's quality being worth more than 20 million. In fact, I would have trouble paying over 18 million for him, and I don't see why it's suddenly a problem that Galliani doesn't want to spend more money on an older player, when apparently, that's all we do.

We are not a laughing stock. We are not a second-rate team. We are a team that has turned out to be smart in the end. We always have been a team like that. If this is a surprise to you, then I wonder if you've known about the way Milan do things?

Many refer to Barca as a sort of comparison to us. If you look at Barca, their team was not to great last year. They got rid of Ronaldinho, Messi stepped up to a more consistent role, Henry finally played like he could and Etoo stayed to play like he could. So, we get rid of Kaka, Pato steps up his game, Ronaldinho finally plays like he can, and Seedorf stays to play like he can? Okay, maybe Seedorf won't play well, but I don't see why Pato and Ronaldinho can't come good.

Furthermore, Barca's team was structured around players brought to the club during Rjikaard's era. The players brought in for Pep really didnt play as significant a role as the other players. Keita did not play as much as Yaya, and Pique was the only real addition, who came good since Milito's injury.

So, honestly, a change of attitude, a new coach, a fresh chance to start over, these things actually can make a player who a year ago wasn't doing that well. Barca's squad is an example Milan can honestly look at.

If you want to talk about a player, who comes up big for his team when they need it, and you're saying that we don't have that players anymore (since Kaka left) then I just have to ask, have you watched Ronaldinho before? I'm not even talking about during his frightening best with Barca, but with us?

Against Braga he scored a scorcher. Against Napoli he pushed the team forward, hitting the free-kick to win the game. Against Inter he played very well, better than Kaka, and scored the game-winner. He dragged Milan back against Portsmouth, coming on with 16 minutes left to go and the score at 2-0.

Yes, it did not go exactly to the script, but this was his first season in Serie A, and I think Ronaldinho will relish the chance to not just prove his doubters wrong, but to show up Barca, to show up Kaka, to show Brazilians that his smile is still genuine and that he can still produce the moments of magic, of pure fantasy, to really just change a game.

Ronaldinho needs support, he is going through a low period, and has been. Our job for this club is to give those players that helping hand, that encouragement, that belief that they can do what we know that they can. If we don't believe in them, who will?

Whoah! Great post again mate... well done!

With a new coach and an influx of youngsters, we can be compared to Barca at the start of last season, albeit the fact that we are yet to dump our deadweights ( Kalac, Oddo, Seedorf etc.). You might say they have something to offer, but Dihno/Zambrotta/Deco still did, with two of those currently playing for our team! Look at how Messi is blooming due to Dihno's departure....

As well as this, our youth system is not up to par with Barca's. They have porducts from Iniesta to Messi. In saying this though, it's not that bad, as you must remember that manchester United poach most of thier youngsters from italy and South America....

With one more puropseful signing, either in defense or attack, we may be able to feel a little more reassured. hopefully the Fabiano signing will be wrapped up by next week. I am torn apart by this transfer though: Should we pay 20 million for a 29 year old, or just buy him after what we saw happen with Cissoko and Dzeko?:55angel:

As well as this, I have my natural doubts about Leo. Once again comparing Milan to Barca (you may hate me for doing this, but the two clubs are more similar than you would think), Pep atleast appears to be a more uncomprimising figure when it comes to the discipline of his players. leo just looks too comfortable and jovial with his squad. I don't know, maybe that's a good thing, but ocassionally, you need figures to give a lazy player such as Dihno a good kick up the as$ to jolt his season back to life.

Next season will depend on how our players stand up. FLamini needs to take the next step and become a mainstay in our midfield. Pato needs to play his striking role, but also use his speed to create more chances due to kaka's departure. And Dihno, this will be one of the biggest seasons of his career. If he fails, his career in the top leagues of Europe is over. Finally, the right signings have to come. Minimal yet puropseful. Defenders and a CF.

['The Bulldog']

Juve signed Melo for 18Mil+Marchanni, Canna for free, and Diego for 25mil sofar this season. Last year they signed Amauri for 15MIl+players, Poulsen for 8mil or so and Sissoko for about 8mil. Two years ago, they got Tiago +Almiron for about 40mil and Iqunita for about 10mil after playing in Series B. Thats a total spending of 124Mil with one year of playing with CL and did not sell any of their major players. Yes, they did sold Ibra, Thuram, Viera and Zambro four yrs ago, but they also played in Series B.

Milan signed Gooch for free, T. Silva for 16mil and will probably sign one or two more players before season starts, but sold Kaka for 65mil and Gourcuff for 15mil. Last years, they signed Dinho for 18Mil, Zambro for 12mil, Flamini for Free, Loan Senderous for 2mil, recall Borreillo for 8mil while sold RO for 10mil, Gila for 15mil and Brocchi for 1mil. Two years ago, they signed Emerson for 6mil and Pato for 20mil after winning the CL.
Thats a total spending of 82mil while out going players=106mil. On top of that, they won the CL, thats must be like 100mil.

Where did those money gone?

Excellent post Gab,

If mgt are so concerned about fin crisis and balancing the books they could of planned this transfer market in way they wouldn't of outlayed alot of $$$

1. No.1 target should of been Santacroce right from the beginning. Sell Kaladze (maybe include him in the deal), also sell Oddo. Both of them could of covered at least half of what we'd pay for Santacroce (that's being fairly conservative).
2. With the sale of Gourcuff, we certainly would of covered the cost of Cissokho. This teeth issue is bull****!
3. Already grabbed Onyewu. Adds depth to our defence. I suppose we need to wait and see if he was worth it, should be better then Senderos.
3. Selling Emerson (which we've done already) we should of gone for Mariga from Parma, great future prospect.
4. We've brought back Di Gennario and Abate (I think). Good move - adds depth to our squad.
5. Get a top-level CF. Not convinced about Fabiano. If mgt were smart they should of included Huntelaar in the deal with Kaka. I suppose we get Fabiano and wait for next year for Dzeko.

In the end, we could of spent in the range of $20-25mil, wouldn't of hurt the bank and with a reasonable squad.

Cissokho Nesta Santacroce Zambro
(Bonera) (Silva) (Onyewu) (Junku)

Gattuso Pirlo Flamini
(Mariga/DiGenario) (?) (Ambro)

Pato Fabiano Ronnie
(Borrielo/Pippo) (Seedorf)

Defensively, we look very strong...weakest link over the past few years. At least we would of fixed that problem. Midfield should be ok....having Hernanes would of been perfect (although more $$$). Forwards I don't know...wait until we can re-enforce the following year....hopefully Fabiano has a good year.

Comments?

[Gabriel489]

Mate, I know it is a great effort to write a long post, but to say that we are like Barcelona is really the best joke I heard this year.

Having faith in Seedorf? R U kidding????
Ambro scoring more goals than before, that might be true, but not like he scored 15 goals or anything and on top of that, he actually played more last season than before.

Don't get me wrong, I do have faith in Leo, those young guys and even Dinho. But to say that Milan is on par with Barcelona???? Thats a bit of an overkill.
Yes, Dinho left Barcelona and so did Deco and Zambro and Messi stepped up for Barcelona. First of all Messi and Dinho are pretty much the same mode of player where as Kaka and Pato is not. Don't let their speed fool you, as those two are very different players.
Then Barcelona have guys like Xavi, Inesta, Marquez, Pugol, Yaya, Abidal, Eto, Milito, and the addition of Dani Alves.
If you think a midfield of Gattuso, Ambro, Seedorf, Flamini and Pirlo are equal to Yaya, Xavi, Inesta, Keita and Marquez, you really need to watch more than just Milan games.

Then you mentioned how Dinho will step up and save the day. Given that I am a Dinho fan and I know he will play well next season. But don't you find it ironic that two surplus players for Barcelona are now 2 mainstays for Milan? And yet you compare Milan to Barcelona?


Not to mention the age of the players.

I am not saying you should not have faith in Milan.... but it is to a point that becoming quite unreal. How long can Milan rely on Gattuso(32 in Jan), Ambro(32), Seedorf(33), Pippo(36 in Aug), Nesta(33-with one year layoff), Janku(32), Zambro(33 in Feb), Pirlo(30)-If he stays, not to mention Favalli. The players I mentioned with the exception of Favalli will most likely be the starting players for Milan. Thats just not normal.

Leo might have the courage to bench them if they are in bad form and play Abate and DiGennaro, and thats something he needs to prove.

As of now, I really don't think Milan is competitive enough to challenge for the League and CL given that MIlan have too many ifs and unknown.

[guestes]

Excellent post Gab,

If mgt are so concerned about fin crisis and balancing the books they could of planned this transfer market in way they wouldn't of outlayed alot of $$$

1. No.1 target should of been Santacroce right from the beginning. Sell Kaladze (maybe include him in the deal), also sell Oddo. Both of them could of covered at least half of what we'd pay for Santacroce (that's being fairly conservative).
2. With the sale of Gourcuff, we certainly would of covered the cost of Cissokho. This teeth issue is bull****!
3. Already grabbed Onyewu. Adds depth to our defence. I suppose we need to wait and see if he was worth it, should be better then Senderos.
3. Selling Emerson (which we've done already) we should of gone for Mariga from Parma, great future prospect.
4. We've brought back Di Gennario and Abate (I think). Good move - adds depth to our squad.
5. Get a top-level CF. Not convinced about Fabiano. If mgt were smart they should of included Huntelaar in the deal with Kaka. I suppose we get Fabiano and wait for next year for Dzeko.

In the end, we could of spent in the range of $20-25mil, wouldn't of hurt the bank and with a reasonable squad.

Cissokho Nesta Santacroce Zambro
(Bonera) (Silva) (Onyewu) (Junku)

Gattuso Pirlo Flamini
(Mariga/DiGenario) (?) (Ambro)

Pato Fabiano Ronnie
(Borrielo/Pippo) (Seedorf)

Defensively, we look very strong...weakest link over the past few years. At least we would of fixed that problem. Midfield should be ok....having Hernanes would of been perfect (although more $$$). Forwards I don't know...wait until we can re-enforce the following year....hopefully Fabiano has a good year.

Comments?


I think in past years we haven't had the versatility of Flamini, who is just as good in defense as in the midfield. Still, the purchase of just one more defnder... It will be a worthy investment Berlu, just do it!

Yes, we should have replaced Emerson straight away, and I am sure, the acquisition of Mariga wouldn't have been so hard. Now that Parma are in Seire A, it will be more difficult. Hernanes of course, remains a dream. He costs more than any player we have pursued so far in the transfer market, even more than Dzeko.... If we take the dive and sell Pirlo, then he would be relaistic. Howver, I would prefer to play it safe.

[guestes]

Mate, I know it is a great effort to write a long post, but to say that we are like Barcelona is really the best joke I heard this year.

Having faith in Seedorf? R U kidding????
Ambro scoring more goals than before, that might be true, but not like he scored 15 goals or anything and on top of that, he actually played more last season than before.

Don't get me wrong, I do have faith in Leo, those young guys and even Dinho. But to say that Milan is on par with Barcelona???? Thats a bit of an overkill.
Yes, Dinho left Barcelona and so did Deco and Zambro and Messi stepped up for Barcelona. First of all Messi and Dinho are pretty much the same mode of player where as Kaka and Pato is not. Don't let their speed fool you, as those two are very different players.
Then Barcelona have guys like Xavi, Inesta, Marquez, Pugol, Yaya, Abidal, Eto, Milito, and the addition of Dani Alves.
If you think a midfield of Gattuso, Ambro, Seedorf, Flamini and Pirlo are equal to Yaya, Xavi, Inesta, Keita and Marquez, you really need to watch more than just Milan games.

Then you mentioned how Dinho will step up and save the day. Given that I am a Dinho fan and I know he will play well next season. But don't you find it ironic that two surplus players for Barcelona are now 2 mainstays for Milan? And yet you compare Milan to Barcelona?



Not to mention the age of the players.

I am not saying you should not have faith in Milan.... but it is to a point that becoming quite unreal. How long can Milan rely on Gattuso(32 in Jan), Ambro(32), Seedorf(33), Pippo(36 in Aug), Nesta(33-with one year layoff), Janku(32), Zambro(33 in Feb), Pirlo(30)-If he stays, not to mention Favalli. The players I mentioned with the exception of Favalli will most likely be the starting players for Milan. Thats just not normal.

Leo might have the courage to bench them if they are in bad form and play Abate and DiGennaro, and thats something he needs to prove.

As of now, I really don't think Milan is competitive enough to challenge for the League and CL given that MIlan have too many ifs and unknown.

No way is Milan on par with Barca, but we can look to the Spanish club as a model for next season....

Last year, barca were coming off a failiure of a campaign, having been beaten by Madrid. An extensive overhaul occured, and a new faced coach was introduced. Hmmmmmm, sounds similar to Milan this year! youngsters were given a chance, and the team gelled well due to pep's programs.

If Leo can use him as inspiration, coming in as a first year coach of a changing team himself, then we can succeed. Perhaps not to the same level, but to a various degree.
Sure, Milan is not the same to Barca now, but we are similar to Barca at the start of last season. The only thing missing is the overhaul. Nothing too extreme but still confused as to see how Oddo, Kalac, Seedorf and the likes still haven't left. MGt. needs to make some hard decsions, it is as simple as that!

[guestes]

Filippo Inzaghi: Luis Fabiano Is Welcome To Join Milan
The veteran striker does not mind competition, especially if it means strengthening the squad.
10 Jul 2009 06:54:59

Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi has spoken about the possibility of Sevilla attacker Luis Fabiano joining the club this summer, as it has been widely reported in the Italian media.

Inzaghi declared that he would be pleased if another important player joined the Rossoneri, and did not have any reason to oppose this decision, considering his current age.

"Fabiano isn't a Milan player yet," commented the former Juventus star to Milan Channel. "In these years I've always said that if a champion arrives at Milan, he is certainly welcome because he can help us to win.

"In case he doesn't arrive we would still have valid alternatives in our squad, like [Marco] Borriello, and we're ready. Certainly if I was 28 Milan would not be looking for a first striker, but since I am 36 the club does well.

"Our squad remains competitive, but it's up to the club and the coach to decide the market."

Inzaghi then spoke about the transfer scene on the whole and the Champions League for the upcoming season.

"Real Madrid have operated a lot on the market because they needed to, Manchester United have lost important players," he explained.

"My wish is that Italian football goes back to being what Milan was on the European stage over the last few years. However, I think the Italian teams will go further this time compared to previous years."

During his eight seasons at the club, Inzaghi has collected 165 appearances in Serie A and scored 68 goals.

Glenn Debattista

I hope more Milan players voice a strong opinion on our transfer acticity. atleast Inzaghi speaks for the team, rather than other more selfish players who hate competition and desire to play for Milan till they are 40 thus dragging the squad down (I am not talking about Maldini!).

Last time, our players were talking up Adebayor, as well as Dzeko. neither came, so we shouldn't get to excited....

[otoniel]

Sevilla Ace Luis Fabiano's Price Goes Down – Report
Good news for Milan, who now stand a good chance of signing the Brazilian forward from Sevilla.

According to Jose Fuentes, agent of Sevilla attacker Luis Fabiano, his client's price has gone down to €18 million, which is a sum much closer to the €14m that Milan are prepared to offer for the striker, the Gazzetta dello Sport reports.

The Rossoneri's main problem in signing a striker has been their lack of funds, as their offers this summer have always been distant from players' asking prices.

Sevilla had initially asked for €30m to sell their star player, but this price tag has come down in time.

The Rossoneri and Luis Fabiano have therefore moved a little closer to each other, with the probability of seeing the Sevilla player in Serie A next season increasing.

In fact, Milan want to see whether his price will slip further down in the coming days before making a final decisive assault on their main transfer target.

After losing out on Wolfsburg forward Edin Dzeko, the Rossoneri have no intention of remaining empty handed, but this does not mean that they will offer any price in order to obtain their transfer market targets.

goal.com

[guestes]

Sevilla Ace Luis Fabiano's Price Goes Down – Report
Good news for Milan, who now stand a good chance of signing the Brazilian forward from Sevilla.

According to Jose Fuentes, agent of Sevilla attacker Luis Fabiano, his client's price has gone down to €18 million, which is a sum much closer to the €14m that Milan are prepared to offer for the striker, the Gazzetta dello Sport reports.

The Rossoneri's main problem in signing a striker has been their lack of funds, as their offers this summer have always been distant from players' asking prices.

Sevilla had initially asked for €30m to sell their star player, but this price tag has come down in time.

The Rossoneri and Luis Fabiano have therefore moved a little closer to each other, with the probability of seeing the Sevilla player in Serie A next season increasing.

In fact, Milan want to see whether his price will slip further down in the coming days before making a final decisive assault on their main transfer target.

After losing out on Wolfsburg forward Edin Dzeko, the Rossoneri have no intention of remaining empty handed, but this does not mean that they will offer any price in order to obtain their transfer market targets.

goal.com

18 million is a perfect price. milan, don't screw it up this time. Everyone on the market besides freebies have an inflated price this year. Take the opputunity whilst you can..... I would agree wiht Galliani if Sevilla were holding out for 20 million, but 18? Perfect....

[Gabriel489]

No way is Milan on par with Barca, but we can look to the Spanish club as a model for next season....

Last year, barca were coming off a failiure of a campaign, having been beaten by Madrid. An extensive overhaul occured, and a new faced coach was introduced. Hmmmmmm, sounds similar to Milan this year! youngsters were given a chance, and the team gelled well due to pep's programs.

If Leo can use him as inspiration, coming in as a first year coach of a changing team himself, then we can succeed. Perhaps not to the same level, but to a various degree.
Sure, Milan is not the same to Barca now, but we are similar to Barca at the start of last season. The only thing missing is the overhaul. Nothing too extreme but still confused as to see how Oddo, Kalac, Seedorf and the likes still haven't left. MGt. needs to make some hard decsions, it is as simple as that!


The two most common misconception in this forum lately are:
Sheva left and Milan won CL in 2007, why can't Milan do it again next year.
And Milan will be like Barcelona, as Milan got a new coach just like them last year.

Two very different cases and history will not repeat itself.

Pippo is great but he is also turning 36 soon, how long must Milan rely on its mid 30s players to deliver.

[guestes]

Pavel Nedved To Inter Very Possible - Report
It seems like the Czech player could extend his career by one year in order to play for the Nerazzurri next season.
10 Jul 2009 07:20:48


Former Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved had decided to hang up his boots at the end of last season, but reports coming from Italy are suggesting that he could join rivals Inter in the coming days.

According to sportmediaset.it, president Massimo Moratti, coach Jose Mourinho, directors Marco Branca and Gabriele Oriali, and the player's agent, Mino Raiola, had a meeting at the club's headquarters.

Officially, it was to discuss defender Maxwell's contract, but in reality the main topic of conversation was the one-year contract offered to Nedved.

When asked about this possibility, Moratti did not give anything away, by just stating, "Those who are directly responsible will talk about it."

Therefore, the possibility of seeing Nedved in the Inter shirt next season could be quite high, especially since Moratti does not want to satisfy Chelsea's financial requests for Deco.

It will now be up to the Czech legend himself, whether he wants to end his career at Inter and probably hurt the feelings of the Juve fans by joining their bitter rivals.

Glenn Debattista

hope it happens. hope Inter sign Deco too, and then they can start the revolution of signing ageing has-beens like Milan has done for yers. perhaps I should give Nedved more respect, but he has played in ugly colours during his career.....

[guestes]

The two most common misconception in this forum lately are:
Sheva left and Milan won CL in 2007, why can't Milan do it again next year.
And Milan will be like Barcelona, as Milan got a new coach just like them last year.

Two very different cases and history will not repeat itself.

Pippo is great but he is also turning 36 soon, how long must Milan rely on its mid 30s players to deliver.

In no way Gabriel, am I saying we will be as great as Barca next season. All I am stating is that we are in a VERY similar situation to barca when they started last season. We should use them as a model to base future success on.....

Why are people squirming when Milan gets compared to barca? No one is saying who is better, we are just saying that with a young coach and a different mentality, Milan is in a similar situation to Barca last season. Whether that means success depends on a variety of factors!

[Maltese Charlie]

I am not a kind of person to call others stupid, especially if these persons are highly qualified and full of expierence.

There's one thing which I cannot understand coming from Milan, but again I'm the stupid one not them :ilol:

Leo said that he wants possession of the ball in the opposite team area, but how can we make it without Pirlo, especially as some rumors are saying that a LB will come instead of Pirlo and Janku move into midfield?

I cannot see it happens with only Dinho as a ball holder.

[Gabriel489]

Maybe I should make myself more clear. Milan is not in similar situation as Barcelona last year.

It is completely different.

Barcelona sold Deco, Dinho and Zambro and lost Thuram to retirement.
OF the four, only Zambro played more regularly while as Dinho and Deco were in and out of the lineup.
Deco with no real replacements-but Inesta and Xavi are more than capable of covering his job.
Zambro left and was replaced by Dani Alves.
Dinho left and replaced by Helb. Even though Helb is not in the same class as Dinho, but given Dinho's role at Barcelona in his last season. Helb was merely a sub or for squad rotation for the big three.
On top of that, I think only Marquez, Henry and Pugol were over 30 at the start of their season, while the rest are all mid 20s or early 20s.
Most importantly, Dinho did not play a major role at Barcelona compare to Messi.

JUst b/c Milan have a new coach, sold their best player does not make them in a similar situation as Barcelona.
Real have a new coach too, and apparently got a few good players, does that mean they are similar to Barcelona too.

If any team is simliar to Barcelona, that must be Juve. With its youth, new signings and the existing squad, they are very much like Barcelona at the start of their treble winning season.
They both got a new coach, both have youths coming up the ranks and making a name for themselves, both teams are very solid in midfield, both have a veteran defenders at the back to lead the up and coming stars, and both have attackers that can entertain.

[Gabriel489]

I am not a kind of person to call others stupid, especially if these persons are highly qualified and full of expierence.

There's one thing which I cannot understand coming from Milan, but again I'm the stupid one not them :ilol:

Leo said that he wants possession of the ball in the opposite team area, but how can we make it without Pirlo, especially as some rumors are saying that a LB will come instead of Pirlo and Janku move into midfield?

I cannot see it happens with only Dinho as a ball holder.

One player to answer your question.

MR. 4-time CL winner.


For real though, Milan always have possession of the ball, but whats the point of that if the other teams have 8 players defending? Unless you are Barcelona who has players like Messi, Henry, Eto, Inesta, Xavi and D. Alves who can draw defenders and dribbles pass them. If not, then the team must play with movement. The quicker Milan can turn the ball to the opposing field from their own half the more chances they have to score. But that will actually require players to run run run and run some more. Something that they really had not been doing.

[guestes]

Maybe I should make myself more clear. Milan is not in similar situation as Barcelona last year.

It is completely different.

Barcelona sold Deco, Dinho and Zambro and lost Thuram to retirement.
OF the four, only Zambro played more regularly while as Dinho and Deco were in and out of the lineup.
Deco with no real replacements-but Inesta and Xavi are more than capable of covering his job.
Zambro left and was replaced by Dani Alves.
Dinho left and replaced by Helb. Even though Helb is not in the same class as Dinho, but given Dinho's role at Barcelona in his last season. Helb was merely a sub or for squad rotation for the big three.
On top of that, I think only Marquez, Henry and Pugol were over 30 at the start of their season, while the rest are all mid 20s or early 20s.
Most importantly, Dinho did not play a major role at Barcelona compare to Messi.

JUst b/c Milan have a new coach, sold their best player does not make them in a similar situation as Barcelona.
Real have a new coach too, and apparently got a few good players, does that mean they are similar to Barcelona too.

If any team is simliar to Barcelona, that must be Juve. With its youth, new signings and the existing squad, they are very much like Barcelona at the start of their treble winning season.
They both got a new coach, both have youths coming up the ranks and making a name for themselves, both teams are very solid in midfield, both have a veteran defenders at the back to lead the up and coming stars, and both have attackers that can entertain.

I repsect your opinion, and admit that Juve are the more similar club. Still, why not use last season's Barca as a model, both for the new look team and coach?

[guestes]

I am not a kind of person to call others stupid, especially if these persons are highly qualified and full of expierence.

There's one thing which I cannot understand coming from Milan, but again I'm the stupid one not them :ilol:

Leo said that he wants possession of the ball in the opposite team area, but how can we make it without Pirlo, especially as some rumors are saying that a LB will come instead of Pirlo and Janku move into midfield?

I cannot see it happens with only Dinho as a ball holder.

Pirlo or not, Milan have always been great at holding possession. perhaps you could argue that many of last year's losses came as a result of not being able to defend a slim lead for the last twenty minutes or so. but that comes back to th defense not being to withstand pressure and counter-attcking football due to lack of depth that we had.

I am confident that if Pirlo leaves (I don't really want him to, but if the "price is right"), that part of our play will continue strongly, and if another similar replacement arrives such as Hernanes, we can mix more fast-paced attck with it as well.

[Gabriel489]

I am not denying that Milan or any other teams should look to build their squad like Barcelona or ManU even Juve, as I think thats what teams should be doing.

What I am saying is that Milan is far far away from that level.

[guestes]

Thiago Silva Calls Sevilla Ace Luis Fabiano To Milan
The Brazilian defender is happy to finally get out of limbo and hopes his compatriot will join the club.
10 Jul 2009 08:43:57


Milan centre-back Thiago Silva is looking forward to getting stuck into some Serie A action and has called on countryman Luis Fabiano to join him at the Rossoneri.

Thiago Silva was snapped up from Fluminense in a €10 million deal last January, but the 24-year-old was forced to be a mere spectator for the remainder of the season because the Diavoli had already filled their quota of non-EU players.

“The six-month period spent without playing could be difficult for some players, but I feel very happy now,” the central defender told Mediaset.

“I have settled in well. Leonardo has yet to tell me whether I’ll play or not, we are still in pre-season and hitting top form takes time. I just have to train hard and do my best.”

After failing to lure Wolfsburg ace Edin Dzeko, Milan have turned to Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano, who could complete an all-Brazilian front line at San Siro alongside Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato.

“He is a great player and would be a great investment. And I’m sure that if he joined, he would considerably help our team,” said Silva.

“Ronaldinho has had a very difficult season. When you don’t play, your motivation is completely different to that of your team-mates who are playing.

“But I am confident that if he gets a chance, he will show his best football and will go back to being one of the best players in the world.”

Vince Masiello, Goal.com

[guestes]

Silva is restless, but the six moth waiting period was crucial. Milan had to get him early, and I am sure that Silva, who desired to play for us, understands this. Keep training hard, you are our future!

[Maltese Charlie]

One player to answer your question.

MR. 4-time CL winner.


For real though, Milan always have possession of the ball, but whats the point of that if the other teams have 8 players defending? Unless you are Barcelona who has players like Messi, Henry, Eto, Inesta, Xavi and D. Alves who can draw defenders and dribbles pass them. If not, then the team must play with movement. The quicker Milan can turn the ball to the opposing field from their own half the more chances they have to score. But that will actually require players to run run run and run some more. Something that they really had not been doing.

No, not last season. In fact Berlusconi criticised the team because we were not able to hide the ball in the last minutes, and lost many points by suffering goals.

I heard Leo's interviews and one of his future changes is the possession of the ball in 3/4 pitch, also we have to change the vertical passes as Kaka is not here anymore to take advantage.

And I am only seeing Mr 4-times as a Ronaldinho replacement.
I don't think he will replace Pirlo.

[Samaldinho]

Look Gabriel, I am not saying that Milan is at the same level of quality as Barca. I never said that. All I said is that Barca really did not have a major overhaul of their squad when going from Rjikaard to Pep. Dani Alves and Pique were the only changes to the squad.

If you want to talk about age some more, I really don't see the point. Puyol is 31, Marquez 30, Abidal 29, Henry is 31, while Xavi is 29. Sylvinho, who started their CL winning game is 35. The team should be facing utter destruction, right?

Look, Oddo is a good player. Zambro never played like he did for Milan for Barca. He has done very well, and it seems obvious that he can continue to be one of the best full backs in the world. Sure, he's not THE best (like he used to be) but he's still very good.

And if we want to talk about luck, then Barca had luck getting the CL final, that last minute goal against Chelsea? So please, before we start even taking away the credit that OUR OWN TEAM DESERVES, maybe we should just stop and realize that we actually have GOOD PLAYERS.

Here's the thing that Barca did, their "magic trick." They played as a team. Think about it, they lose Dani Alves, Abidal, and have to rearrange their entire team for the CL final. However, they are able to outplay Man Utd. How does that happen? Oh yeah, THEY DO NOT RELY ON ANY ONE PARTICULAR PLAYER.

Do you know who did that? Milan did. And since 2007, we've struggled. So, it seems that Leonardo will be doing the same thing. Making Milan better, regardless of who is put in what position, at the end of the day, the T-E-A-M will play better. Which is far more important.

The parrallel between us and Barca is again, Henry played like **** his first year. Messi rose up from being inconsistent (I didn't say they [him and Pato] were the same player, I'm not stupid), while Ronaldinho was sold and Etoo played like everyone knew he could.

What happened? Henry played extremely well. Messi blossomed into a much better player. Etoo stayed to play hard.

So, is it that difficult for you to maybe, just maybe, consider that it could be POSSIBLE for Ronaldinho to rise up, like Henry? For Pato to grow up, like Messi did? For players to be REIGNITED to play hard like Etoo?

It seems that the pieces are there. We have great youth products, the Uruguayans are supposedly very good. Abate and Di Gennaro are pretty good. While we have this young striker named Zigoni who is supposed to be one of the brightest spots.

Is Milan an exact copy of Barca? Hell no. That's why we can be better than them. But it starts with you, turning that frown upside down and realizing that we actually have GREAT PLAYERS and that you making every player that Milan has sound like they are utter crap, does no good, and also makes you frankly sound foolish.

Our team preformed better than you think, and its the smallest things that can change a game, and a season. Can you at least wait until pre-season to start crying over how bad the team is? Because frankly, I'd like to enjoy talking about Milan for once.

[mrki]

money from Pirlo to be invested in a LB? That is hillarious. Lets hope that is a rumour and that Milan will bring a midfielder to replace Pirlo and buy a LB.

That will make our mercato less pathetic, even dough it will still be a shamefull event in the history of AC Milan.

Sales: Gourcuff, Kaka', Pirlo ( right now we need him, we could have sold him if we keept Kaka' and Yoan ).

In: US cb, some LB, CM for Pirlo ( See kept, Yoan out ) and CF.

That is sad.

EDIT:

Samaldinho, I agree that its is posiible. But we need to look at Barcelona's squad and the number of the quality players they had. They had Puyol playing as a fullback in that final. That means they had enough of quality CB's to cover even for Marquez, Millito, Puyol. Also Silvinho is a very good player that was simply of their bench for while season.

Midfielders like Xavi and Iniesta are rarity in todays football, we do not have such players now.

I do agree that TEAM play wins titles, but lets not be confused and compare players like Favalli-Silvinho, Pique - Kaladze etc.

We are now talking about some fast and modern football. With who? Seedorf, Ambrosini, Oddo, Pirlo? Aldough, Flamini and Gattuso could be one of the best DM duos in Europe for sure.

We'll see in the end of mercato. If we are able to bring players like Cissokho and Hernanes we can talk about some kind of modern football that will consist of 2 touch football, fullback runs etc. Untill then we can forget about it.

[Maltese Charlie]

Pirlo or not, Milan have always been great at holding possession. perhaps you could argue that many of last year's losses came as a result of not being able to defend a slim lead for the last twenty minutes or so. but that comes back to th defense not being to withstand pressure and counter-attcking football due to lack of depth that we had.

I am confident that if Pirlo leaves (I don't really want him to, but if the "price is right"), that part of our play will continue strongly, and if another similar replacement arrives such as Hernanes, we can mix more fast-paced attck with it as well.

I agree that Hernanes can replace Pirlo, BUT do you really believe this can happen????? My answer is NO.

If Ledesma or D'Agostino will come theh will cost more or less the same money of Pirlo. Milan will save only from his wage. But for this small gain is it worth it to loose Pirlo?

And if a LB will come and Janku will move to the middle, financely Milan will benefit But I doubt how Milan can play the system which Leonardo is preaching.

That is my point.

[GeoTav]

money from Pirlo to be invested in a LB? That is hillarious. Lets hope that is a rumour and that Milan will bring a midfielder to replace Pirlo and buy a LB.

That will make our mercato less pathetic, even dough it will still be a shamefull event in the history of AC Milan.

Sales: Gourcuff, Kaka', Pirlo ( right now we need him, we could have sold him if we keept Kaka' and Yoan ).

In: US cb, some LB, CM for Pirlo ( See kept, Yoan out ) and CF.

That is sad.

EDIT:

Samaldinho, I agree that its is posiible. But we need to look at Barcelona's squad and the number of the quality players they had. They had Puyol playing as a fullback in that final. That means they had enough of quality CB's to cover even for Marquez, Millito, Puyol. Also Silvinho is a very good player that was simply of their bench for while season.

I strongly disagree:
- it's hilarious, it's sad, it's pathetic, etc, why ? Has Pirlo been sold already ? For moment, he is a Milan player ...
- Barcelona put Puyol as a fullback = they have enough CB to cover the position ? You see the situation in a way, I see it like they didn't have enough fullbacks in their team. They didn't replace Puyol with a CB but with a midfielder (Touré), so it's like if we did use Ambrosini as a CB when we had all the injuries ...

[Gabriel489]

Samueldinho, first of all, I am one of those who hopes Dinho will be good. Look at all my past posts. Even in the Dinho's thread at the players section.

Secondly, as mrki pointed out about the team play and squad depth, I am not going to say it again.

As mrki putted it best, "I do agree that TEAM play wins titles, but lets not be confused and compare players like Favalli-Silvinho, Pique - Kaladze etc. "


Thirdly, Abate and Di Gennaro are solid players, but as of now they have only show that they are solid players and not brilliant players in Series A. Something that Rick, Siegar and a few others and I had discussed already. They ain't the next wave of Donnadoni or Nedved. IT will be awesome if they turn out to be though.
Zigoni, I will not comment as I have not seen or heard anything about him.

Forthly, you are sounding like Berlu with that the team is full of Champions....Some of them were great players but now they are either good players or just crap players.

Age's question, did I mention that beside Pugol, Henry and Marquez the rest of the squad were pretty much mid 20s or early 20s. Silvinho might be 35 or 36 but he ain't in the starting lineup week in and week out.

Lastly, stop accusing myself or others about crying how bad the team is.....as the team is full of questions for next season. And currently MIlan really is not a team that could compete with the likes of Inter Juve Barcelona and others. IF you think Milan can, then thats really your opinion and I respectfully disagree.

One more thing, I think all of us are here enjoying ourselves while discussing Milan. Just b.c not everyone is being pro positive does not mean they are not enjoying the discussions.

[Dutchie-Milan]

I have more faith in Galliani and Berlu now,as it seems that everytime we complain about them they are acctually succeeding in what they are planning to do.

For example,Gazzetta dello Sport is reporting today that Sevilla have lowered the price for Luis Fabiano for just 18 millions!And its not even August,so it seems that the game Galliani is playing on the transfer mercato is working(wich is a suprise to me!).

And i agree with Samaldinho,most of the posters here are acting like our team contains only average players except for the great Pato,well thats just bull****.I hate some of the posters attitude here,for example i remember last year everybody was crying because Abbiati was our new goalkeeper,everybody said oh nooo please he is not worldclass blablabla but it turned out to be different as he had a better season than Buffon!And still everybody wants a big-name goalie,why?We have Abbiati who will probably be fit if the season starts.I just dont get it.Next year when Dida and maybe Kalac will leave then a new goalie should be bought...

We have a worldclass team and arent lacking anything acctually,except a LB,thats it,the only reason we are after a CF is because Borriello was injured last season so we cant have that again now do we.

[Siregar]

I have more faith in Galliani and Berlu now,as it seems that everytime we complain about them they are acctually succeeding in what they are planning to do.

For example,Gazzetta dello Sport is reporting today that Sevilla have lowered the price for Luis Fabiano for just 18 millions!And its not even August,so it seems that the game Galliani is playing on the transfer mercato is working(wich is a suprise to me!).

First, Dzeko is our first target not Fabiano. Second if the news is true, than it's a good news for Milan. If Galliani can bring him with price near what Milan's first offer than credit must be given to Galliani.


And i agree with Samaldinho,most of the posters here are acting like our team contains only average players except for the great Pato,well thats just bull****.I hate some of the posters attitude here,for example i remember last year everybody was crying because Abbiati was our new goalkeeper,everybody said oh nooo please he is not worldclass blablabla but it turned out to be different as he had a better season than Buffon!And still everybody wants a big-name goalie,why?We have Abbiati who will probably be fit if the season starts.I just dont get it.Next year when Dida and maybe Kalac will leave then a new goalie should be bought...

Don't you think also the opposite situation (about the bold part)? Fortunately there fans like Gabriel, mrki who still only critisize Galliani but not critisize other fans who support the management.

Every body can have opinion about Milan and it will be great if they can post the reasons. Just like how fans' pessimism last year about Abbiati. They had reasons, not just thrown dislike to Abbiati. Same situation about pessimism with Ronaldinho and other players.


We have a worldclass team and arent lacking anything acctually,except a LB,thats it,the only reason we are after a CF is because Borriello was injured last season so we cant have that again now do we.

I must disagree. We have only maximum half of a world class team. If you meant we have past-worldclass team I agree. Nesta is really unsure, Ronaldinho is just (almost) finished, Thiago Silva is still unproven (I believe he's got huge talent), Pirlo is underperforming, Inzaghi can only play 2-3 months, and so on. I don't need to write about the situation of our subs.

[Samaldinho]

When it comes to Dinho, I think we have no choice but to hope that he will do well.

No one is comparing Silvinho to Favalli (though, honestly, is there that much of a difference between THOSE two?) but how about a comparison between Pique and Thiago Silva?

Abate and Di Gennaro are solid players, but they have not had the chance to show that they are. Until they show me that they are not worth it, I will give them the benefit of the doubt. Abate is much better, and much more highly regarded than many people give him credit. Di Gennaro, for me, is the biggest question than Abate. However, I think seeing these players preform when they are surrounded by better players will tell us what kind of players they are.

I think that Seedorf, Kaladze, Dida, Kalac, and Favalli have no business being at AC Milan still. However, it seems that not one of those players will be counted upon to start for our team, and we might as well benefit from their experience (only Seedorf and Favalli really) since we seem to be stuck with them.

Actually, the mainstays of Barca's team are in their late 20's, Etoo is 28, Xavi 29, Milito 28 (lost an entire year to injury), Keita 29. While Puyol, Marquez and Henry, who the team's stability is based are all over 30.

Gattuso is 31, Pirlo is 30, and Ambro is 32. They are not really that old. Because if Pirlo is some sort of old man now, then it seems Barca is on the verge of having an old team.

This Milan is obviously in transition, and I think our midfield really has not been the problem. The problem has been the lack of real alternatives for the midfield and in defense.

Am I scared of Barca? No. Juve and Inter? Again, no. I had MAJOR doubts over the team, but listening to the players talk about what they know they have to do, I just figured, "Hey, they are not just playing for this club, but they are playing for themselves."

We underestimate what a healthy Gattuso does to this team. He is very critical to Milan, and it was while Pirlo was out that Seedorf was actually playing decently in Pirlo's role. I mean, what does that tell you? That there is hope, that we should be optimistic.

I just think we are kidding ourselves if we act like Barca didn't have question marks coming into their last season. They were the team that were all most laughed at by putting in Pep and by removing the players that they relied so heavily upon, namely Deco and Ronaldinho.

And with regards to enjoying discussing Milan, it seems that we are not discussing our club anymore. We didn't even give Onyewu a real discussion. He is American, therefore terrible, and does not bring in anything. I do not rate him, but it's amazing that the one signing we do have, we barely cover. We also have not talked about Abate or Di Gennaro in any great detail.

We have talked about Berlu and Galli more than all the players combined. This is not discussing Milan, this is pointless, and I am not the only one who has pointed this out. Just because people feel they have the right to be angry, doesn't mean that those of us who would like to be patient and actually evaluate things should just allow you to do so without question.

Milan's team was not terrible last year, it needed improvements in defense and in the striking department. The management has not addressed those concerns yet, but I see little point in calling them incompetent when the transfer season isn't even over yet.

Would you call a Dentist incompetent if he didn't finish giving you a filling half-way through the procedure because it wasn't finished? So why label our management a failure all ready?

[Dutchie-Milan]

First, Dzeko is our first target not Fabiano. Second if the news is true, than it's a good news for Milan. If Galliani can bring him with price near what Milan's first offer than credit must be given to Galliani.



Don't you think also the opposite situation (about the bold part)? Fortunately there fans like Gabriel, mrki who still only critisize Galliani but not critisize other fans who support the management.

Every body can have opinion about Milan and it will be great if they can post the reasons. Just like how fans' pessimism last year about Abbiati. They had reasons, not just thrown dislike to Abbiati. Same situation about pessimism with Ronaldinho and other players.



I must disagree. We have only maximum half of a world class team. If you meant we have past-worldclass team I agree. Nesta is really unsure, Ronaldinho is just (almost) finished, Thiago Silva is still unproven (I believe he's got huge talent), Pirlo is underperforming, Inzaghi can only play 2-3 months, and so on. I don't need to write about the situation of our subs.

Well acctually Siregar,i was aiming on the talents of the players in the squad,not their current forms.

I mean that let just say that our players arent getting to much injured,and that players like Ronaldinho are playing like they should have done,then we have a wc-team.

When fit Nesta is still one of the best defenders in the world,when running Ronaldinho is still one of the most talented players in the world,this is what i meant.Lets say the injury-prone players(like Nesta)are having a much more better season this coming year and that the ''lazy'' players(Seedorf,Dinho)are going to run under Leo's command because everybody start from scratch so everybody has to earn their places and the WorldCup is coming up,then we have a WC-team.

And about the doubts of Silva,come on guys everybody was screaming their lungs out when Inter seemed to snap up this player,and then we did and everybody was thrilled,and even Brasilieiro who watched the player allot said snapping up this player would be great,and we have seen him play at the Beijing tournament(with Dinho also present remember)and he did great their with Alex Silva in defence,so why the doubts,everything is pointing at the direction that he is WC.I am not going to have doubt,if he performs up to standard wich is what must be excepted then we have a great defender in our squad.

I dont think that we only have half good team:

Abbiati
Zambro-Nesta-Silva-Janku
Rhino-Pirlo-Ambro/Flamini
Pato-Fabiano-Dinho

So if Dinho finds his joy again,Pirlo in a free role to roam around the field where he can express his talents,Nesta and Silva who are soooooo solid,and Rhino and Flamini who can be one of the best DM-Pairing in Europa,and Zambro and Janku who always play good at LB and RB(except in defense Janku is a bit crap)

There arent many IF,there are two things we have to hope for: Nesta staying fit,Dinho being solid again,thats it,Silva will be a hit,i dont think he will lose his great talent suddenly:angel:

With this squad,and maybe Santos as LB we can win everything.

**** THE REST,WE ARE MILAN :pr115::gonova::noevil2::5chore::5chore::5chore::5chore::5chore:

[GeoTav]

Last reports:

- There is still another player bought for ... the Primavera. Filippo Galli who is in charge of this team now seems to want to build a strong Primavera. The goal is probably to have a strong Primavera with hot prospects who will be ready sooner than later for the first squad (TMW from MilanNews).

- Cagliari bought a new GK, one of the promising ones from the last season in Serie B. For TMW (MilanNews), it's a way to slowly replace Marchetti who should sign for us next year ... they have a lot of imagination, but who knows.

- Nothing to do with mercato, but it's very good news. Inter and Milan seem to have reached an agreement to work together for the stadium. Resulting from the demands of Milan and Inter, the city should either allow both clubs to buy San Siro and improve it by creating restaurants, mall centre, etc, or allow both clubs to build another stadium in front of San Siro. This report comes from TMW too (source: Milanoweb).

And to finish, it seems we are interested by Nicastro from Catania, but I don't know him ...

[mrki]

I strongly disagree:
- it's hilarious, it's sad, it's pathetic, etc, why ? Has Pirlo been sold already ? For moment, he is a Milan player ...
- Barcelona put Puyol as a fullback = they have enough CB to cover the position ? You see the situation in a way, I see it like they didn't have enough fullbacks in their team. They didn't replace Puyol with a CB but with a midfielder (Touré), so it's like if we did use Ambrosini as a CB when we had all the injuries ...

You cant just disagree coz you want to for some reason. I didnt say that it is pathetic/hillarious, I said that if we sell Pirlo and invest that in LB, that would be pathetic ( commenting on todays rumour that Milan will invest Pirlo's money in a fullback ). Becouse it would, after all the money Milan made so far. If you disagree with that and you think that we do need more money so we can invest, 80mln so far is not enough, then ok.

They have 2 fullbacks for the right side: Puyol and Alves. For the left they have Abidal and Silvinho. MArquez, Puyol, Millito, Pique, Caceres, Toure ( who, as a difference to Ambrosini, has played as a CB sometimes in his career and is capable of it - maybe not for man marking Drogba, but he is capable. While Ambrosini has never done it and 99% never will. So this example you put is not true. Only part where Ambro and CB position get together in reality are Galliani's sentences/fantasies.) Busquets is a player that was able to play DM, so the rotation was not forced, but prepared since the squad was created as a possibility.

So its 6 CB solution. and 4 for fullback.

And so har our mercato is hillarious and pathetic. Selling Pirlo and investing part of that money for a LB would truly be sad. My oppinion. Hre, I explained it nicely.

[Gabriel489]

To be honest, no question the defense is the problem.
Unlike most of you, I actually think the midfield is more of a problem than Strikers.

I am not going to use stats as thats very deceiving. The point is that, if Milan do call back Polashi. TO have him and Pato with Pippo and Borreillo. That might not be a super striker force but it is more than enough for the league. Esp. Borreillo as I think he will break out next season. I thought he was going to do that last year but he got hurt and got dumped by his g/f.

The midfield is where I see most of the problems lie. Pirlo is playing too deep(that might be b/c of the defense). And when Beckham, Seedorf, Pirlo and Kaka/Dinho all played together, they were all fighting to control the ball, where only Beck and Kaka seems to be the one who moves around. Sometime there were no movement at all from the midfield. I don't think it is a concidence that when Ambro started to run, while Seedorf got injured, that MIlan played its best football during that span last season. The thing is, I don't think Leo have the guts to bench Seedorf(if he does not run) yet. Also the moment that the MGT appears to offer a new contract to Ambro, he just stopped running in the match.
Pirlo need someone to run up and down the flank to be at his best, while Milan really does not have enough players to do that. Abate, DiGennaro sure have the will to do so, but will Leo have the guts to sit guys like Ambro(CAPTAIN), Seedorf and even Gattuso.

[Dutchie-Milan]

Mrki where did you get those stories that IF Pirlo would leave,Milan would invest the money in a LB?It seems that the stories are rather reporing that we are chasing A.Santos from Brazil and that the money from Pirlo will be invest in Ledesma or D'Agostino....????

[guestes]

Mrki where did you get those stories that IF Pirlo would leave,Milan would invest the money in a LB?It seems that the stories are rather reporing that we are chasing A.Santos from Brazil and that the money from Pirlo will be invest in Ledesma or D'Agostino....????

It is true though in a way. Where else would we get the required money from, if we buy Fabaino for around 18 million? The cautious way we are buying, it's not as if Berlu is goign to pull money out of nowhere. All the money used in transfers has come from sales, not investments when we were truly powerful.

[Dutchie-Milan]

Nicastro is a attacker from the Primavera team of Catania,Milan is really taking it serious with these youth players,how many do they plan to buy,with all the money spend on the Primavera players we could have bought Andre Santos already....

[GeoTav]

But Puyol, at start, doesn't have to play as a fullback and never played in that position !! He's a pure CB, nothing more and he was used as a RB because Guardiola had no choice ...

Then, you said, if we don't sell Pirlo, our mercato will be less pathetic, so that means, for you, this mercato is already pathetic. You even start your last post by saying you didn't say it's pathetic for moment and end it by saying it has been pathetic so far ... ????

When you say that Touré already played as a CB, it surely happened, yes, a couple of times, and when I say a couple of times, I mean 2 or 4 times.

So again, what you point out as a planned formation and a planned solution to injury/red card problems, I point it out as an emergency choice ... an emergency choice that worked. If Touré made like Abidal against Italy in Euro for example (red card when used as a CB for the first time in the competition, and to anticipate any reaction, Abidal played as a very good CB for years in Lille if I'm correct or maybe before, in Monaco, I don't remember), everyone would have said that this Barcelona team lacked something (especially on the bench) or that Guardiola made the wrong choices ... but like that worked, everyone says it's amazing, fabulous and that Guardiola is a genius.

[Dutchie-Milan]

It is true though in a way. Where else would we get the required money from, if we buy Fabaino fo around 18 million?

????

Like i said,it seems that Braida is in Brazil to deal with Santos,and that guy cost only 6 million,i dont think Galliani will sell Pirlo to buy a player worth 6 million...

I think Santos and Fabiano will come and thats it,IF Pirlo leaves the money will be invested in Ledesma/Agostino.....and the leftover money will be used to ''balance the books'' a.k.a they are going to pocket it...

[mrki]

No one is comparing Silvinho to Favalli (though, honestly, is there that much of a difference between THOSE two?)

Seriousely? There is a world of difference.

Your post is fair, I agree. The problem is that we havent seen enough of our new CB so we cannot somment it more. But people in here already know everything about Kaladze, Bonera and Favalli. They wanted a player better then all of them, young player like Criscito, Santacroce. Galliani also said ne wCB will replace Senderos, which means he'll be 5th CB. Favalli is 6th. Since people are worried about Nesta being capable of playing 45 games per year, and about Thiago, they wanted one good CB, better then Bonera and Kaladze. Which, honestly, from what I've seen, our new US CB isnt ( cant spell the man never. I will learn ).

Abate and Di Gennaro are players we all saw, at least I have that feeling in here. Its pretty obvious where abate can be used, while there is a bit to discuss about Di Gennaro. Some say he'll play deep playmaker, some say CAM. Whatever happenbs, its clear Di Gennaro is not a player like Giovinco. He needs more time and more patience. For a team like Milan this player can only be a rotation element, which will not play in CL and big games.

Further detail discussion about Abate and Di Gennaro is welcomed is you ask me.

[guestes]

To be honest, no question the defense is the problem.
Unlike most of you, I actually think the midfield is more of a problem than Strikers.

I am not going to use stats as thats very deceiving. The point is that, if Milan do call back Polashi. TO have him and Pato with Pippo and Borreillo. That might not be a super striker force but it is more than enough for the league. Esp. Borreillo as I think he will break out next season. I thought he was going to do that last year but he got hurt and got dumped by his g/f.

The midfield is where I see most of the problems lie. Pirlo is playing too deep(that might be b/c of the defense). And when Beckham, Seedorf, Pirlo and Kaka/Dinho all played together, they were all fighting to control the ball, where only Beck and Kaka seems to be the one who moves around. Sometime there were no movement at all from the midfield. I don't think it is a concidence that when Ambro started to run, while Seedorf got injured, that MIlan played its best football during that span last season. The thing is, I don't think Leo have the guts to bench Seedorf(if he does not run) yet. Also the moment that the MGT appears to offer a new contract to Ambro, he just stopped running in the match.
Pirlo need someone to run up and down the flank to be at his best, while Milan really does not have enough players to do that. Abate, DiGennaro sure have the will to do so, but will Leo have the guts to sit guys like Ambro(CAPTAIN), Seedorf and even Gattuso.


That is if we get Fabiano. until we get a new CF, the midfield will be less of a priority. As for defense, it is and has remained the no.1 problem for almost three seasons now. Every transfer window, we have failed to adequately reinforce it, and I will be mad if Galliani thinks narrow-mindedly ignores it again.

[GeoTav]

To be honest, no question the defense is the problem.
Unlike most of you, I actually think the midfield is more of a problem than Strikers.

I am not going to use stats as thats very deceiving. The point is that, if Milan do call back Polashi. TO have him and Pato with Pippo and Borreillo. That might not be a super striker force but it is more than enough for the league. Esp. Borreillo as I think he will break out next season. I thought he was going to do that last year but he got hurt and got dumped by his g/f.

About Paloschi, he won't be called back as Parma and Milan agreed about the fact that Paloschi has to stay one more year in Parma and will then come back (of course, it probably depends on his season too).

So our striking force is just Pato, Borriello coming from a year off and Inzaghi who is amazing in Spring. We do need another striker, I would even say that if we can take both Fabiano and Dzeko (which won't happen), I'd do it with closed eyes.

[Gabriel489]

I thought Pugol started as a RB and then changed to CB.

As for Santos, to be honest, I don't think he is an upgrade to Janku.

[Fret]

Rumor is that Eto'o is looking his way out of Barca.......
What do you guys think? Better than Fabiano, no?

[guestes]

Seriousely? There is a world of difference.

Your post is fair, I agree. The problem is that we havent seen enough of our new CB so we cannot somment it more. But people in here already know everything about Kaladze, Bonera and Favalli. They wanted a player better then all of them, young player like Criscito, Santacroce. Galliani also said ne wCB will replace Senderos, which means he'll be 5th CB. Favalli is 6th. Since people are worried about Nesta being capable of playing 45 games per year, and about Thiago, they wanted one good CB, better then Bonera and Kaladze. Which, honestly, from what I've seen, our new US CB isnt ( cant spell the man never. I will learn ).

Abate and Di Gennaro are players we all saw, at least I have that feeling in here. Its pretty obvious where abate can be used, while there is a bit to discuss about Di Gennaro. Some say he'll play deep playmaker, some say CAM. Whatever happenbs, its clear Di Gennaro is not a player like Giovinco. He needs more time and more patience. For a team like Milan this player can only be a rotation element, which will not play in CL and big games.

Further detail discussion about Abate and Di Gennaro is welcomed is you ask me.

Di Genarro will play back-up to Dihno, but as a playmaker, his skills may be questionable. he joins an attcking department overloaded with strikers similar to him (not tall targetman).

Just asking, how are Fabaino's aerial skills?

[Gabriel489]

About Paloschi, he won't be called back as Parma and Milan agreed about the fact that Paloschi has to stay one more year in Parma and will then come back (of course, it probably depends on his season too).

So our striking force is just Pato, Borriello coming from a year off and Inzaghi who is amazing in Spring. We do need another striker, I would even say that if we can take both Fabiano and Dzeko (which won't happen), I'd do it with closed eyes.

I know Polashi won't be back now. What I meant to say is that the strikers are not really what Milan needed(before the loan out Polashi again), as they have 4 capable strikers. Thus they should have concentrate on the midfield instead of seraching for a striker.

[guestes]

Rumor is that Eto'o is looking his way out of Barca.......
What do you guys think? Better than Fabiano, no?

Better of course, but remind yourself of the major attitude problem and high wages attatched!

Eto'o won't come cheap either, and will be more expensive than anyone we have pursued this transfer window.....

[guestes]

I know Polashi won't be back now. What I meant to say is that the strikers are not really what Milan needed(before the loan out Polashi again), as they have 4 capable strikers. Thus they should have concentrate on the midfield instead of seraching for a striker.

So close to Fabiano acquisition, and you are saying withdraw and look for midfielders?

Maybe not, but as soon as we get Fabiano, then we can move onto the defense and midfield. We need a speed injection in that department....

[Dutchie-Milan]

Fabiano's aerial skills are good enough,i watched some games of him and visited youtube and he is a good header,he can score the ball from very difficult positions with his head,so no need to wory.

What i like about Luis is that the guy is a COMPLETE striker,one that can do everything like Benzema.He can run,has skills,has a good body,can head the ball etc.etc.

[GeoTav]

Nicastro is a attacker from the Primavera team of Catania,Milan is really taking it serious with these youth players,how many do they plan to buy,with all the money spend on the Primavera players we could have bought Andre Santos already....

Thanks for the answer ... anyway, I think they go in the right direction by buying all these promising players for the Primavera as they will adapt more quickly when/if they come to the first team.

And the fact that better players arrive at trainings of youth teams means the level is going to increase and all the youth players will benefit from that. A good way to start to build strong youth teams as we have been "pathetic" (the last player coming from our Primavera is Paloschi, then it will be Di Genarro and Abate but they didn't grow here after their years in Primavera, so the last real Primavera player coming in our first team is Maldini ... there is quite a problem there).

[Gabriel489]

AIya, when i addressed the midfield thing, I meant to say if Milan just finished the season, knowing Kaka and Gourcuff will be gone. Galli should have look at the midfield instead of strikers as there are 4 capable strikers that can play for Milan already.

But it is too late now.

[Dutchie-Milan]

Gabriel we need a striker,not midfielder,midfield is the place where we dont need anyone,especially if Janku will play LM.

We are going to play attack-minded so we need more attackers/wingers.You are forgeting guys like Cardacio who will get a chance and Janku who will maybe join up there at midfield...

[mrki]

But Puyol, at start, doesn't have to play as a fullback and never played in that position !! He's a pure CB, nothing more and he was used as a RB because Guardiola had no choice ...

Then, you said, if we don't sell Pirlo, our mercato will be less pathetic, so that means, for you, this mercato is already pathetic. You even start your last post by saying you didn't say it's pathetic for moment and end it by saying it has been pathetic so far ... ????

When you say that Touré already played as a CB, it surely happened, yes, a couple of times, and when I say a couple of times, I mean 2 or 4 times.

So again, what you point out as a planned formation and a planned solution to injury/red card problems, I point it out as an emergency choice ... an emergency choice that worked. If Touré made like Abidal against Italy in Euro for example (red card when used as a CB for the first time in the competition, and to anticipate any reaction, Abidal played as a very good CB for years in Lille if I'm correct or maybe before, in Monaco, I don't remember), everyone would have said that this Barcelona team lacked something (especially on the bench) or that Guardiola made the wrong choices ... but like that worked, everyone says it's amazing, fabulous and that Guardiola is a genius.

Maybe some people who dont know anything would say such things about Guardiola, but we dont care for them. He is a normal coach with brilliant players.

Puyol oftenly played as a Rb. Really oftenly, like 50 times in his career. Im serious 100%. Him at RB is not extreme solution, and he is not a pure CB since he started playing football. He always was reallycapable of playing as a RB.

I wanted to say that comparing Ambrosini and toure is not fair, becouse Ambro simply has no connection with CB place except in papers.

Our mercato is pathetic ( come on, it isnt? ). I only refered to my post you quoted, in which I strictly commented on the money transaction in Pirlo-new fullback deal. Which I commented as hillarious.

Our mercato is pathetic and sad, it can be less sad with some good moves. I dont feel need to explain every sentence in which I responded to your quotes ( which were directed to some of my posts, not on my posts in general etc.) but that is just wondering around the same stuff.

Yes, "planned" solution means Barcelona builds a squad in which they knew Ture can play as a CB. Milan doesnt know if Ambro can play as a CB, he never did it. They know that Toure can do it, and he did it. He isnt a brilliant CB ( Drogba made a fool out of him ). But he is an ok solution when 4,5 of your defenders are out. That solution hasnt come out of fantasy ( Ambrosini and Galliani ) but out of knowledge of Toure's talents.

Toure did had a game like Abidal, he made 2,3 penalties vs Chelsea which were stolen to Chelsea. That doesnt make Guardiola better or worse coach. France in Euro and Domenech is a different story, his moves are by far most comical moves I've seen in that Euro.

[Dutchie-Milan]

AIya, when i addressed the midfield thing, I meant to say if Milan just finished the season, knowing Kaka and Gourcuff will be gone. Galli should have look at the midfield instead of strikers as there are 4 capable strikers that can play for Milan already.

But it is too late now.

But we are going to play(PROBABLY NOT SURE OF COURSE)in a 4-3-3 formation,so we only need 3 midfielders on the field,and we have more than 3:

Rhino/Cardacio-Flamini/Pirlo(Ledesma/Agostino)-Ambro/Janku and Seedorf,thats enough,also Di Gennaro can play there reading the posts here....

[Gabriel489]

TO be honest, I think it is also they are buying youth players left right front and center.

It is funny how Maldini was the last true home grown product from Milan's youth.
Thats like 22 yrs ago man.

[fLame]

We have talked about Berlu and Galli more than all the players combined. This is not discussing Milan, this is pointless, and I am not the only one who has pointed this out. Just because people feel they have the right to be angry, doesn't mean that those of us who would like to be patient and actually evaluate things should just allow you to do so without question.

Milan's team was not terrible last year, it needed improvements in defense and in the striking department. The management has not addressed those concerns yet, but I see little point in calling them incompetent when the transfer season isn't even over yet.

bravo,:pp20: , you have taken my thoughts and wrote them out as a thorough description. way to go!

I think this mercato will surprise us by the end o August ;)

[GeoTav]

Toure did had a game like Abidal, he made 2,3 penalties vs Chelsea which were stolen to Chelsea. That doesnt make Guardiola better or worse coach. France in Euro and Domenech is a different story, his moves are by far most comical moves I've seen in that Euro.

If only it was only at Euro ... :D
Domenech for President !!

[Dutchie-Milan]

Its true what Mrki said,when Puyol started his career he was acctually a striker,Puyol has always been a bit attacking minded...

[mrki]

As we comparet the number of players we have and Barca has: Barca was mising Millito, Alves and Abidal for the CL final. That means, for example, we miss Marek, Zambrotta and Thiago.

We put Oddo/Bonera on the RB, Nesta (corrected) and Bonera/Kaladze on CB, Antonini on the Lb. When you compare that to Puyol-Toure-Pique-Silvinho, we are 2 classes below.

EDIT:

I dont know that he played as a striker ( I know Schmeichel did :) ). But Puyol is a class RB, he always was.

[GeoTav]

Its true what Mrki said,when Puyol started his career he was acctually a striker,Puyol has always been a bit attacking minded...

As a striker ? When he was young ?
You know, Didier Deschamps started his career as a striker and was one of the best strikers of the youth teams from ... umh, I don't remember. And the result is that this guy played all his professional career as a DM and scored something like 10 goals :D

[Fret]

Don't worry guys, we have plenty of time in this mercato, till late August.
It don't matter that, by late August, all the good players will have been already situated in new clubs

..here's an article from goal.com that is related to something we've been disguising for the last 50 pages....:u31:

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2009/07/10/1373936/calcio-debate-milan-need-to-start-spending-or-they-will-win

[Dutchie-Milan]

Jep i remember reading it it is also on Wikipedia i think,he started his career as a striker when he was young and nobody knew him,then he went to midfield and then began to start in defense,very funny,schmeichel as a striker???Wouldnt have thought of it when i see that guy:guw:

[Fret]

Well the thing is that Puyol is a WC defender and can play in any position...

[guestes]

Fabiano's aerial skills are good enough,i watched some games of him and visited youtube and he is a good header,he can score the ball from very difficult positions with his head,so no need to wory.

What i like about Luis is that the guy is a COMPLETE striker,one that can do everything like Benzema.He can run,has skills,has a good body,can head the ball etc.etc.

One of the posters on this forum reasoned quite well that youtube videso can be quite decieving. They usually glorify the player, so much so, as they make them look twice as great as they actaully are. See some Senderos vids of proof.

But I trust your judgement if you say his is good in the air. How tall is he?

Also, what did you mean by "he has a a great body?":guw:

[Dutchie-Milan]

Oh and good news from Milaan,Ronaldinho has lost 2.5 kg already.

Dont wory you guys he will perform great,its not because i have faith in Dinho,its because i know Leo will force him,and with force i really mean force,to work his but off on the field,he really has put in on o tight schema in Milanello,Dinho has to train two times more a day(with the ball because he enjoys that more)than the rest of the team,when we go to the US Tour he will be in good weight and running again,Leo will fix him he knows ho to fix him.GO LEO!

[guestes]

The budget may be balanced right now but, nonetheless, have you ever heard the saying 'it takes money to make money'?
That's what madrid are doing.

and a proven midfielder who can add some spark to the side.
Yeah, we need another midfiler of this description, and gourcuff would have been perfect.....

[guestes]

Oh and good news from Milaan,Ronaldinho has lost 2.5 kg already.

Dont wory you guys he will perform great,its not because i have faith in Dinho,its because i know Leo will force him,and with force i really mean force,to work his but off on the field,he really has put in on o tight schema in Milanello,Dinho has to train two times more a day(with the ball because he enjoys that more)than the rest of the team,when we go to the US Tour he will be in good weight and running again,Leo will fix him he knows ho to fix him.GO LEO!

Judging on what I have seen in leo, the the man looks too laid-back. just too friendly for my liking. I couldn't imagine him coming hard on Dihno, but then again, you can't judge a book by its cover....

[Dutchie-Milan]

One of the posters on this forum reasoned quite well that youtube videso can be quite decieving. They usually glorify the player, so much so, as they make them look twice as great as they actaully are. See some Senderos vids of proof.

But I trust your judgement if you say his is good in the air. How tall is he?

Also, what did you mean by "he has a a great body?":guw:

Hahaha i know about those youtube videos,thats why i said that i have also made some time to watch games of him with Sevilla against Real,Barca etc. in Spain competition and from what i have seen he is a good header.

And with the body thing i meant he had a good physique,wich we need because we are lacking a tall striker(except Borriello)

Luis is 1.85 CM or 6 foot tall,so not that big,but big enough.

[guestes]

It's close, very close. Please Galliani, don't screw it.... Fabiano is the least you could do to fill the attcking void left by Gourcuff and kaka in particular...
If you want to sell a star, you need to have a firm idea of who to replace him wiht and go for him strongly. This is what you failed to do. Did you not think to have Hunter included in the Kaka deal? Fabiano is the least you could do....


Milan Need €2 Million To Land Sevilla's Fabiano - Report
Milan need to increase their bid for the hitman by just €2 million in order to land him...
10 Jul 2009 10:29:57
Photo GalleryZoom
FIFA Confederations Cup: Luis Fabiano, USA - Brazil (PA)Milan need to find just €2 million to sign Luis Fabiano from Sevilla, according to Tuttosport.

Of course, Fabiano will not cost €2m, but reports in Italy are certain that is the amount by which Milan need to increase their bid - from €16m to €18m - in order to land the highly-rated Brazilian striker.

Vice-president Adriano Galliani is reportedly set to fly to Seville this weekend in order to make one last attempt at landing Brazil's Confederations Cup hero. It is said Milan originally offered the Spanish club €16m, but that was turned down as there was a €6m gap between the offer and Sevilla's €20m asking price.

Earlier reports this morning in the Gazzetta Dello Sport claimed Sevilla were ready to lower their price, but Tuttosport are claiming the contrary, suggesting Milan need to up the ante. Voices in Spain suggest president Jose Maria Del Nido is in no mood to offer substantial discounts, but the Rossoneri could convince him if they increase their original bid by just €2m and take it to €18m.

The deal is likely to be complicated though as it is understood that 65 percent of Fabiano's contract is owned by GSI, the sports investment group owned by influential Israeli businessman and agent, Pini Zahavi.

Nevertheless, the feeling among the Italian media is that the Rossoneri will try to close a deal with the Spanish side next week at the latest.

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com

[guestes]

Real Madrid & Udinese To Start Negotiations Over Gaetano D'Agostino - Italian & Spanish Media
Spanish and Italian press reports claim the Merengues have turned to the Italy international after failing to land De Rossi and Alonso.
10 Jul 2009 11:43:59

A door closes, a gate opens. After his dream move to Juventus collapsed, Udinese midfielder Gaetano D’Agostino could ‘console’ himself with a switch to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

According to Marca, the Merengues are set to continue their stellar transfer campaign with the signing of the 27-year-old.

President Florentino Perez has reportedly turned to the Palermo native after Roma and Liverpool refused to enter into negotiations for their respective prized assets, Daniele De Rossi and Xabi Alonso.

The Spanish daily claims Real are set to sound out the Friulans over the availability of D’Agostino and an agreement could be reached over the next few hours.

This report has been supported by the reliable Italian media platform Sky Sport Italia, who claim that negotiations between Madrid and Udinese are set to start.

D’Agostino was a major target for Serie A giants Juventus until last week and he had stressed his desire to leave the Friuli for the club he supported as a child.

But the Old Lady failed to reach an agreement with the Zebrette, who valued the ex-Roma man at €20 million, and eventually swooped for Fiorentina and Brazil ace Felipe Melo.

Vince Masiello, Goal.com

Good news. Considering that half of these new Madrid stars will play well, many of these players will be again for sale by season end. Juve miss out!

[Dutchie-Milan]

The Fabiano deal will be closed in a couple of days,we all know it,its just Galliani who is trying to play it smart and to lower the price,wich is working.Fabiano is in the bag.

I acctually dont believe the D'Agostino to Real rumour,yesterday i saw a rumour on Goal.com that they are planning to bid 30 million on De Rossi,now they D'Agostino and tommorow they are chasing Xabi Alonso,its just one of the many rumours.

I hope D'Agostino or Ledesma will be ours IF Pirlo leaves,i like them both they can control the tempo very good.

[fLame]

It is said Milan originally offered the Spanish club €16m, but that was turned down as there was a €6m gap between the offer and Sevilla's €20m asking price.


How did they count to get this result? :rolleyes:

[Dutchie-Milan]

Milan first offered 14 million,but Sevilla wanted 20.So Milan put in a new bid with offering 16 million,But Sevilla still refused it because their was initaly a 6 million gap,got it?

[Dutchie-Milan]

If the Marchetti news is true,wich would be fantastic news,then Galliani will certainly mention it next season in one of his interviews,he always does it like this,like he did with Cardacio and Viudez,he said nobody would be coming anymore and then before he got on the airplane he said they arrive soon.

Marchetti would be a great start for next season,i am going to keep a close eye on his performances.

[Maltese Charlie]

The Fabiano deal will be closed in a couple of days,we all know it,its just Galliani who is trying to play it smart and to lower the price,wich is working.Fabiano is in the bag.

I acctually dont believe the D'Agostino to Real rumour,yesterday i saw a rumour on Goal.com that they are planning to bid 30 million on De Rossi,now they D'Agostino and tommorow they are chasing Xabi Alonso,its just one of the many rumours.

I hope D'Agostino or Ledesma will be ours IF Pirlo leaves,i like them both they can control the tempo very good.

Well!!! According TGcom, Udinese President confirm it ALL!!!


D'Agostino-Real, Pozzo conferma
"Trattative in corso, vale 25 milioni"
Gaetano D'Agostino

Sfumata la Juve, Gaetano D'Agostino è finito nel mirino del Real Madrid. L'indiscrezione, giunta dalla Spagna, è stata confermata direttamente dal presidente dell'Udinese, Giampaolo Pozzo. "Ci sono trattative in corso, nei prossimi giorni sono in programma altri incontri. Il giocatore, comunque, vale 25 milioni di euro, come per la Juve", ha detto a Sportmediaset. Secondo "Marca" si potrebbe chiudere a breve.

Al momento, si tratta di un sondaggio, anche se approfondito. Il Real, infatti, punta ancora deciso di Xabi Alonso, ma ha preparato alcune soluzioni alternative, tra cui, appunto, quella di D'Agostino. Il giocatore è finito anche nel mirino del Liverpool.

Se Pozzo non ha nascosto la trattativa, il ds Sergio Gasparin ha preferito tenere tutto sotto traccia, decidendo di non commentare la notizia. In attesa di capire le reali intenzioni del club blanco. Intanto, D'Agostino incrocia le dita, sperando che non si ripeta la "beffa" subita con la Juventus.

10 luglio 2009

[mrki]

I hope D'Agostino or Ledesma will be ours IF Pirlo leaves,i like them both they can control the tempo very good.

I would disagree. Those players are not up to the task we need. We need a class player to keep the quality.

If we sell Pirlo it will be more then 150mln that Milan will earn as it was calculated in Gazzetta.it posts in italian ( wages earnings included+transfer money+wages reconstruction).

To replace missings of gourcuff, Kaka', Pirlo with Abate, Di Gennaro, Fabiano and Ledesma is a right way to become a club like Palermo.

[Dutchie-Milan]

Suprised to see Real really being interested in D'Agostino,didnt expected that at all!

And Mrki,i now Milan will be saving allot of money if they sell Pirlo,but how come D'Agostino isnt worthy to takeover,it isnt a coincedence that teams like Juve and Real are chasing him,he is good enough to takeover from Pirlo....Pirlo will only bring up 20 million,players like Fabregas are a utopia you know that.

But still i was just calling some names,who knows it could well be that Hernanes is his replacement.

[M.O.I.]

Well it seems we ll get fabiano eventually,as they have once again lowered his price,and i think he is a player that can totally suit us(more than huntlaar for sure,and maybe more than dzeko)..he is a player that has the right mentality and the right style to play as our top fw,and i feel we re getting him at about 16mil(14 we give,18 they want till now) wich is a gr8 deal imo..and that means we ll have at about 65mil left to buy others not counting the wages,that means we have even more..(see brk im not always that pessimistic:ilol:)

ps i dont think we re going to sell pirlo,to be honest i dont think we re selling anyone else..i dont belive they intend to destroy us as a club..

[guestes]

If the Marchetti news is true,wich would be fantastic news,then Galliani will certainly mention it next season in one of his interviews,he always does it like this,like he did with Cardacio and Viudez,he said nobody would be coming anymore and then before he got on the airplane he said they arrive soon.

Marchetti would be a great start for next season,i am going to keep a close eye on his performances.

What Marchetti news? I gave up on him ages ago, after Cagliari's ridiculous demands and EPl interest.....

[MiamiMilanista]

Rumor is that Eto'o is looking his way out of Barca.......
What do you guys think? Better than Fabiano, no?

I was just going to bring that up. I keep seeing the Eto'o name being tossed in teh same sentence as Milan. Maybe something is happening behind doors? maybe? hopefully?

[guestes]

Well it seems we ll get fabiano eventually,as they have once again lowered his price,and i think he is a player that can totally suit us(more than huntlaar for sure,and maybe more than dzeko)..he is a player that has the right mentality and the right style to play as our top fw,and i feel we re getting him at about 16mil(14 we give,18 they want till now) wich is a gr8 deal imo..and that means we ll have at about 65mil left to buy others not counting the wages,that means we have even more..(see brk im not always that pessimistic:ilol:)

ps i dont think we re going to sell pirlo,to be honest i dont think we re selling anyone else..i dont belive they intend to destroy us as a club..


No, of course not, but Berlu either wants to make cash out of us, or leave us to auto-finance ourselves. Obviously, that's not the way for a president of a top club to operate....

[Dutchie-Milan]

There was a report about Milan agreeing a deal with Cagliari to bring Marchetti next season to San Siro for 8 Million,he would stay this season at Cagliari to gain more experience.

Now there are again reports stating Cagliari is looking at a new goalie to replace Marchetti.

[brk]

Marchetti is apparently secured for us in 2010/2011, when Dida and Kalac's contracts expire.

I don't think Fabiano is another Olivera, but i'm not 100% yet about him being the right choice. He would be great in the big games, but I don't know how he will respond to small teams, which has been our Achilles heel for so long now. Maybe Borri and Zigoni can be of use against them, and we'd have a striker and formation for every kind of opposition...

[MiamiMilanista]

Oh and good news from Milaan,Ronaldinho has lost 2.5 kg already.

Dont wory you guys he will perform great,its not because i have faith in Dinho,its because i know Leo will force him,and with force i really mean force,to work his but off on the field,he really has put in on o tight schema in Milanello,Dinho has to train two times more a day(with the ball because he enjoys that more)than the rest of the team,when we go to the US Tour he will be in good weight and running again,Leo will fix him he knows ho to fix him.GO LEO!

I think he'll be good to go. On GolTV they always have Barca Classics on, I just pray that we can see the quick Dinho sprinting up and down that field this year. With Kaka gone, I think Dinho knows his role and he knows the team is resting on him.

[Dutchie-Milan]

No Eto'o pleace,needs 100 chances before he can score a goal,i want somebody who is more clinical with his chances.

[guestes]

There was a report about Milan agreeing a deal with Cagliari to bring Marchetti next season to San Siro for 8 Million,he would stay this season at Cagliari to gain more experience.

Now there are again reports stating Cagliari is looking at a new goalie to replace Marchetti.

That is great! Natural heir to Abbiatti, and beating away competition from the likes of Madrid. Inter won't be after him bcs they have Viviano.

8million is a bargain, but after all, it's just rumours. Cagliari must be kicking themsleves if they let him go that early!

[Maltese Charlie]

Suprised to see Real really being interested in D'Agostino,didnt expected that at all!

And Mrki,i now Milan will be saving allot of money if they sell Pirlo,but how come D'Agostino isnt worthy to takeover,it isnt a coincedence that teams like Juve and Real are chasing him,he is good enough to takeover from Pirlo....Pirlo will only bring up 20 million,players like Fabregas are a utopia you know that.

But still i was just calling some names,who knows it could well be that Hernanes is his replacement.

Sacchi said today on La Gazzetta dello Sport that Juventus made a mistake by signing Melo. It was D'Agostino the player that really needed.

[Fret]

No Eto'o pleace,needs 100 chances before he can score a goal,i want somebody who is more clinical with his chances.

This made me thinking......could it be Huntelaar?
Of course, we need to have a midfield that can create a chance as well.

[guestes]

Marchetti is apparently secured for us in 2010/2011, when Dida and Kalac's contracts expire.

I don't think Fabiano is another Olivera, but i'm not 100% yet about him being the right choice. He would be great in the big games, but I don't know how he will respond to small teams, which has been our Achilles heel for so long now. Maybe Borri and Zigoni can be of use against them, and we'd have a striker and formation for every kind of opposition...

I wonder if Borri's inaccuracy in front of goal was attributed to his break-up with girlfriend? Hopefully, he can be more clinical.....
Not sure if the likes of Berreta and Zigoni will get a chance just yet. Anyone post some pictures of the two please......!

[guestes]

No Eto'o pleace,needs 100 chances before he can score a goal,i want somebody who is more clinical with his chances.

Eto'o is not good for us in any way! Over-priced (which is why these rumours will be false)/ Cocky and over flamboyant for a team player/ Wages too high (which is also why these rumours are false)

And yes, he is far from clinical.....

Absoloute last choice for me, but Milan would struggle to obtain him anyway. Inter would be chasing him as a potential replacemnt for Crespo and Adriano....

['The Bulldog']

Real Madrid & Udinese To Start Negotiations Over Gaetano D'Agostino - Italian & Spanish Media
Spanish and Italian press reports claim the Merengues have turned to the Italy international after failing to land De Rossi and Alonso.
10 Jul 2009 11:43:59

A door closes, a gate opens. After his dream move to Juventus collapsed, Udinese midfielder Gaetano D’Agostino could ‘console’ himself with a switch to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

According to Marca, the Merengues are set to continue their stellar transfer campaign with the signing of the 27-year-old.

President Florentino Perez has reportedly turned to the Palermo native after Roma and Liverpool refused to enter into negotiations for their respective prized assets, Daniele De Rossi and Xabi Alonso.

The Spanish daily claims Real are set to sound out the Friulans over the availability of D’Agostino and an agreement could be reached over the next few hours.

This report has been supported by the reliable Italian media platform Sky Sport Italia, who claim that negotiations between Madrid and Udinese are set to start.

D’Agostino was a major target for Serie A giants Juventus until last week and he had stressed his desire to leave the Friuli for the club he supported as a child.

But the Old Lady failed to reach an agreement with the Zebrette, who valued the ex-Roma man at €20 million, and eventually swooped for Fiorentina and Brazil ace Felipe Melo.

Vince Masiello, Goal.com

Good news. Considering that half of these new Madrid stars will play well, many of these players will be again for sale by season end. Juve miss out!

That's great! I can't stand top-class italian players playing outside of serie A. D'Agostino would be a great addition to our side. A replacement for either ambro/seedorf etc.

[guestes]

Peter Crouch May Leave Portsmouth - Agent
The England forward could be on his way out of Pompey soon it seems...
10 Jul 2009 13:11:12


Peter Crouch's agent has revealed the striker could quit Fratton Park this summer.

The Sunderland target has been linked with a move away from Portsmouth after becoming unsettled over the on-off takeover of the club.

Crouch's agent, Jonathan Barnett, believes that the financial problems at the south coast club mean that anyone could leave this summer.

"I think Portsmouth have financial problems. I think every player is available. You would have to speak to Portsmouth to see if they are willing to sell Peter," Barnett told The Sunderland Evening Chronicle.

Sunderland have reportedly offered £11 million for the former Liverpool man but speculation links several other clubs including Tottenham, Fulham and Italian giants AC Milan.

Barnett confirmed that Crouch is happy at Portsmouth but refused to rule out the possibility of a move.

"We haven’t heard anything from Milan or anyone at this stage. He is happy, but if there are circumstances where he has to move, that is football," he added.

David Kifford, Goal.com

Keep away Galliani! I know it may be a temptation for the big fat wallet of yours, but if this is your attacking replacemnt for Kaka, I will burn your mansion down!

[Rick]

What you said is true, every team needs luck to win the title. The thing that bugs me, however, is that you keep preaching about how sky didn't fall down and everything is just fine. Other than that CL win, what exactly has Milan done since the Shevchenko sale? We haven't won the Serie A since he has been gone; we had to play in UEFA cup for the first time in a long time; we became the laughing stock of the transfer market; and the icing on the cake is when we sold our best player for cash again merely three years later. What exactly has to happen to convince you that the team is in crisis? By Milan standard, the current situation this team is in is the crisis state. The sky did fall down on us and turned us into the second rate team we are right now.

How is Milan the laughing stock of the transfer market? Where are you getting this crap? If everyone is laughing at Milan, they surely must be rolling in the aisles over Manchester United, who sold Ronaldo and let Tevez leave, replacing them with a player who had seven goals and eight assists in three seasons at Wigan and a free transfer from relegated Newcastle!

And you may not think winning the Champions League two years ago means much, but there are hundreds of clubs who would beg to disagree because they'd kill their own mothers for the chance to do just once what Milan has done seven times. I would also point out that winning the Champions League is more than Juventus has done since 2006. The only thing they've won is Serie B! And Inter hadn't won anything since the 80s until the scandal handed them two Serie A titles and allowed them to take advantage of the setbacks to both Juve and Milan. Even then they've done nothing to speak of in the Champions League. So why do you act as though Milan is so far behind that they might as well be Lecce? If Milan is a "second rate" team, as you say, then every team in Serie A is second-rate or worse.

So what, precisely, is it that Milan should have done in the past few weeks to solve this crisis of Armageddon proportions that you act like is about to see Milan relegated to Serie C2? What should Milan have already done that can't still be done before the end of August?

[Maltese Charlie]

For those who were asking about the Marchetti rumor it is here.



Marchetti-Milan, prime conferme
10.07.2009 10:08 di Pietro Mazzara articolo letto 3666 volte

Trovano le prime confereme le indiscrezioni che avevamo raccolto qualche settimana fa sul passaggio, il prossimo anno, di Federico Marchetti dal Cagliari al Milan. La squadra sarda ha ufficializzato l'arrivo di Michael Agazzi, altro portiere, come Marchetti, proveniente da una grande stagione in B. Il Cagliari sembra puntare molto sul giovane portiere e visto l'accordo di massima raggiunto, nonostante le smentite, dalle due squadre, l'anno prossimo, l'ex Albinoleffe dovrebbe vestire rossonero.

[Rick]

I'd like to begin my post with thanks to those who praised my last post, it was very nice of all of you, thank you.

I'm glad that there is optimism here, there should be. There is obviously optimism with the players, and they know that they can do a lot more then they have shown before.

Ambro has scored more goals last season then he ever has. Gattuso was playing out of his skin before he got injured, and Pirlo seemed to grow back into his former self as the season progressed, albeit with some inconsistency. Flamini has grown and come from a "great for a free-transfer" to a mainstay of Milan's squad. This is the backbone of our midfield, and with Beckham hopefully returning, we will have a very strong core to work with.

Will Seedorf rise to occasion? Well, frankly, he has to in order to get a spot in this new squad. If he wants to play, he will have to work hard, and I don't see why he won't.

Plus, if people ask what a world-cup year does to a player, look at what Beckham did to get back into England's team. Ronaldinho has not shown that he has the same work-ethic (few players in history, actually can come close to Beckham's work ethic) but Ronaldinho has always been able to bank on his past to get him through his last tough patch.

Players have worked extremely hard for World Cup squads, look at Totti's return from injury for 2006, or Ronaldo for 2002. Ronaldinho knows that people in Brazil are thinking of how Brazil's squad is now Kaka's. Don't you think that infuriates him? Don't you think seeing Kaka wear his number 10 bothers him?

Ronaldinho does not have to do what Cassano has to do to get back into his National Team squad. I don't remember Ronaldinho screaming and tearing at his shirt over a yellow card, skipping training, or cursing at his trainers. Ronaldinho doesn't have an attitude, he could have been cursing and screaming while he was being benched. He was respectful when saying "I don't want to sit on the bench, but I respect the coach." So, he doesn't have to do this show and dance that Cassano does, because he has a great attitude and lifts team's spirits.

Does the team lack real depth? If Fabiano comes, the strikers will be Luis Fabiano, Pato, Inzaghi, Boriello and Zigoni. I think that's good there. Midfield will consist of Pirlo, Ambro, Flamini, Gattuso, Seedorf, Abate, Di Gennaro, and Ronaldinho. Don't forget the Uruguayans, who I feel will decide their future with this next season. The defense is worrying, I admit, but it will be good, if Nesta can stay healthy. That seems to be the bet of Milan, and I'm scared of it, but, if you're going to bet on a defender, why not bet on one of the best defenders in the last 20 years?

I think Janku will be pushed higher up the field, especially as it looks like a LB will be coming in. If I'm honest, I'd take Criscito over Cissoko or Andre Santos (who I don't think was that amazing anyways) but, again, the defensive qualities of the full back are secondary in Leonardo's formations because the full backs are designed to push forward, while the midfield cannot be "dynamic" and fast, which means open to threat.

The midfield's job is to hold possession, keep the battle in Milan's favor and establish dominance. Who better to do that than Flamini, Gattuso and Ambro? Who better to offer smart tactical passes than Pirlo? Honestly, think about who these guys are again.

Milan is not done with the transfer market, I wouldn't be surprised if we get more than a CF and a LB, though Beckham's winter return will provide more options for Leonardo in the second half of the season. Milan are a team that obviously are not scared of spending money when needed, but, I don't see a 28-29 year old striker, especially one of Luis Fabiano's quality being worth more than 20 million. In fact, I would have trouble paying over 18 million for him, and I don't see why it's suddenly a problem that Galliani doesn't want to spend more money on an older player, when apparently, that's all we do.

We are not a laughing stock. We are not a second-rate team. We are a team that has turned out to be smart in the end. We always have been a team like that. If this is a surprise to you, then I wonder if you've known about the way Milan do things?

Many refer to Barca as a sort of comparison to us. If you look at Barca, their team was not to great last year. They got rid of Ronaldinho, Messi stepped up to a more consistent role, Henry finally played like he could and Etoo stayed to play like he could. So, we get rid of Kaka, Pato steps up his game, Ronaldinho finally plays like he can, and Seedorf stays to play like he can? Okay, maybe Seedorf won't play well, but I don't see why Pato and Ronaldinho can't come good.

Furthermore, Barca's team was structured around players brought to the club during Rjikaard's era. The players brought in for Pep really didnt play as significant a role as the other players. Keita did not play as much as Yaya, and Pique was the only real addition, who came good since Milito's injury.

So, honestly, a change of attitude, a new coach, a fresh chance to start over, these things actually can make a player who a year ago wasn't doing that well. Barca's squad is an example Milan can honestly look at.

If you want to talk about a player, who comes up big for his team when they need it, and you're saying that we don't have that players anymore (since Kaka left) then I just have to ask, have you watched Ronaldinho before? I'm not even talking about during his frightening best with Barca, but with us?

Against Braga he scored a scorcher. Against Napoli he pushed the team forward, hitting the free-kick to win the game. Against Inter he played very well, better than Kaka, and scored the game-winner. He dragged Milan back against Portsmouth, coming on with 16 minutes left to go and the score at 2-0.

Yes, it did not go exactly to the script, but this was his first season in Serie A, and I think Ronaldinho will relish the chance to not just prove his doubters wrong, but to show up Barca, to show up Kaka, to show Brazilians that his smile is still genuine and that he can still produce the moments of magic, of pure fantasy, to really just change a game.

Ronaldinho needs support, he is going through a low period, and has been. Our job for this club is to give those players that helping hand, that encouragement, that belief that they can do what we know that they can. If we don't believe in them, who will?

Another wonderful post my friend!

[guestes]

How is Milan the laughing stock of the transfer market? Where are you getting this crap? If everyone is laughing at Milan, they surely must be rolling in the aisles over Manchester United, who sold Ronaldo and let Tevez leave, replacing them with a player who had seven goals and eight assists in three seasons at Wigan and a free transfer from relegated Newcastle!

And you may not think winning the Champions League two years ago means much, but there are hundreds of clubs who would beg to disagree because they'd kill their own mothers for the chance to do just once what Milan has done seven times. I would also point out that winning the Champions League is more than Juventus has done since 2006. The only thing they've won is Serie B! And Inter hadn't won anything since the 80s until the scandal handed them two Serie A titles and allowed them to take advantage of the setbacks to both Juve and Milan. Even then they've done nothing to speak of in the Champions League. So why do you act as though Milan is so far behind that they might as well be Lecce? If Milan is a "second rate" team, as you say, then every team in Serie A is second-rate or worse.

So what, precisely, is it that Milan should have done in the past few weeks to solve this crisis of Armageddon proportions that you act like is about to see Milan relegated to Serie C2? What should Milan have already done that can't still be done before the end of August?

It is bad by milan standards yes....

Sure, we have won heaps, but we don't want to get into the current habit we have adopted on the last two seasons before. Atleast we are signing youth and prospect players, rather than keeping faith in failed has-beens. From the over sentimental re-signing of Shevchneko to the signings of Beretta and Zigoni. that is better!

Still, now we don't have the money to buy, whilst only a season ago, we had all the cash to waste on useless players. It will be a slow, hard and testing time for us fans whilst Milan works on this project. hopefully, Berlu will leave and someone new who cares, will invest in our great club....

Milan should already have signed atleast three defenders. An overload of defenders is not the same for Milan as buying too many strikers. Atleast a quarter of our defense is ageing badly, and have injury clouds over them....

One top quality CB, and two prospect full backs. That's what we should have acheived almost from day one...... Defenders are much cheaper, so it was never a question of money, just where MGT's priorities were. they thought narrow mindedly and wasted much of their time going for a direct replacment of Kaka to please worried fans, whilst never possessing the guts to actually pull through (as a result, we have no one, and fans are still angry!). instead, they should have worked our squad from bottom and top, and analysed the market more carefully. A deal including Huntelaar for Kaka would have prevented much stress.

Still, there is time to go in the market, and Milan must be purposeful and willing from now on.....

[guestes]

For those who were asking about the Marchetti rumor it is here.



Marchetti-Milan, prime conferme
10.07.2009 10:08 di Pietro Mazzara articolo letto 3666 volte

Trovano le prime confereme le indiscrezioni che avevamo raccolto qualche settimana fa sul passaggio, il prossimo anno, di Federico Marchetti dal Cagliari al Milan. La squadra sarda ha ufficializzato l'arrivo di Michael Agazzi, altro portiere, come Marchetti, proveniente da una grande stagione in B. Il Cagliari sembra puntare molto sul giovane portiere e visto l'accordo di massima raggiunto, nonostante le smentite, dalle due squadre, l'anno prossimo, l'ex Albinoleffe dovrebbe vestire rossonero.

Translate please

[guestes]

Jose Mourinho: Carlo Ancelotti Is Not My Friend!
The coach is tanned, rested, refreshed and raring to go following the break, and he is already causing controversy...
10 Jul 2009 14:00:21


It's a new season for Jose Mourinho, but he is back to his old habits as he takes a swipe at Milan, Juventus, European big spenders Real Madrid, as well as new Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Mourinho gave a 360 degree press conference at Appiano Gentile during his first day back at work as pre-season begins for the Serie A champions. Those who were there could be forgiven for feeling a sense of deja-vu as the coach resumes his verbal challenges.

"Real Madrid? I have nothing special to say on Real Madrid. We might not even play them this season. I am not scared of them. They are a world club with great players and they will be under the spotlight, but I have nothing to say," Mourinho told Sky Sport Italia

"I am not scared of Italian teams either. What they have been doing is normal. Everyone wants to get better and that's obvious (referring to recent spending by Juventus)."

Mourinho continued to give his usual smart answers as he tried to out-wit the press who fired questions hand over fist, but the coach was quick to press the buzzer with his reponses which, at times, caused controversy.

"Your question sounds gay to me," said Mourinho when he was asked to give a clue about the type of defender he was looking for.

"You say blonde, brown, fair," as he continued to joke with the media.

He then spoke of objectives and of his plans to push through his squad-chop plans.

"I always have the same objectives. I am satisfied to return. I like working, playing, coaching. I like the competition," added the coach.

"We are to start work straight away for next week's friendlies. I am happy and satisfied.

"The squad size? It's a problem for me. I am not happy. Its not good for working. It's XI against XI in a match and having 30 players in training is not positive.

"The players who I want to go know I don't want them to stay. It's not good for the team. It's negative.

"Today it seems players are interested in money and lifestyle rather than anything else. Some players prefer to stay in a team where the coach doesn't want him, rather than find another team.

"[Luis] Jimenez made the move to West Ham and it's good for him. Other players dont want to leave and I have to respect the law and contracts.

"My ideas won't change about certain players. I won't change my mind about them."

The 'Special One' then gave his views on the transfer market, preferring to stick to his no-comment style.

"Nedved? I am not speaking about any players who are not here," he added

"It's always the same story. The market is open until the end of the summer. We will see if other clubs are interested in our players.

"Are Inter complete? We play with 11 players. We are complete, but there are different ways of seeing things. We want eight players to leave the team and four players to arrive so the team grows in the direction myself and the club wants to grow."

Mourinho then went on to bemoan the pre and post-match analysis in Italy, saying he preferred England. "It's easier to coach in England because people think about football for 90 minutes. In Italy there are 60 million coaches in the country."

To complete the press conference, Mourinho was asked about former Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, and whether he will do well after taking over at Chelsea. The Special One's response was raw, and certain to spark a war of words with Ancelotti, whom he did not enjoy a good relationship with last season.

"Ancelotti is not my friend," Mourinho sniped.

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com

What a funny loner! Would be cool if he coached us.....;)

[Rick]

The two most common misconception in this forum lately are:
Sheva left and Milan won CL in 2007, why can't Milan do it again next year.
And Milan will be like Barcelona, as Milan got a new coach just like them last year.

Two very different cases and history will not repeat itself.

Pippo is great but he is also turning 36 soon, how long must Milan rely on its mid 30s players to deliver.

Once again, you are misunderstanding. Nobody has said Milan is likely to win the Champions League this year. We are merely trying to point out that everyone thought the sky was falling when Shevchenko was sold and that Milan could not compete, but that didn't happen. I don't expect Milan to win the Champions League this year. I wouldn't have expected Milan to win the Champions League this year if Kaka was still here. It would be nice, but it's not necessary. Milan has a good enough squad right now -- with no more additions -- to stay in the top four and in the Champions League. That is enough for me as we go through this transition period. Anything beyond that is gravy. If Milan brings in, say, Fabiano and another player or two this summer, that will strengthen an already good squad. If they then bring in more players next summer (Dzeko, for instance, and maybe a creative midfielder or whatever) that will continue to build the team. Unless you want Milan to be half a billion euros in debt like Real Madrid (without Madrid's built in ability to carry debt without the creditors beating down their doors), you can't expect an entire new team in one summer. The proper way to rebuild is to add a few new pieces at a time and allow the veteran players to help the new ones. This isn't fantasy football.

[guestes]

Once again, you are misunderstanding. Nobody has said Milan is likely to win the Champions League this year. We are merely trying to point out that everyone thought the sky was falling when Shevchenko was sold and that Milan could not compete, but that didn't happen. I don't expect Milan to win the Champions League this year. I wouldn't have expected Milan to win the Champions League this year if Kaka was still here. It would be nice, but it's not necessary. Milan has a good enough squad right now -- with no more additions -- to stay in the top four and in the Champions League. That is enough for me as we go through this transition period. Anything beyond that is gravy. If Milan brings in, say, Fabiano and another player or two this summer, that will strengthen an already good squad. If they then bring in more players next summer (Dzeko, for instance, and maybe a creative midfielder or whatever) that will continue to build the team. Unless you want Milan to be half a billion euros in debt like Real Madrid (without Madrid's built in ability to carry debt without the creditors beating down their doors), you can't expect an entire new team in one summer. The proper way to rebuild is to add a few new pieces at a time and allow the veteran players to help the new ones. This isn't fantasy football.

No one is also saying that we will have the same success as Barca last season. We are just at a similar redevlopment stage as Barca at the beginning of last season, new players/new coach.

[Fret]

How is Milan the laughing stock of the transfer market?
........
So what, precisely, is it that Milan should have done in the past few weeks to solve this crisis of Armageddon proportions that you act like is about to see Milan relegated to Serie C2? What should Milan have already done that can't still be done before the end of August?

Rick, my friend.....:1five:
it seems that certain "clans" have emerged recently: Optimists and Pessimists


The thing is, I would like to ask you: Are you satisfied with the last 2 seasons with Milan ?

If not, it's not enough to say "Oh I have faith"........because Napoli fans have faith as do all the other fans as well

[Rick]

Our mercato is pathetic ( come on, it isnt? ).

How can a mercato be deemed pathetic when there are still 7 1/2 weeks left before it closes? This statement makes no sense to me.

[Dutchie-Milan]

Rick i agree with most of your comments on our current issues,but i just want to say to you that Milan is being laughed at in other countries,like here in Holland,boys from my school now i am for Milan but they are terrorising me and laughing at me for being a Milan fan,not because we are old or something,just because Galliani is making stupid comments in media and then they appear in Holland,for example everybody thinks now that Milan is very broke and has nothing no money nada nothing they cant buy anyone nomore.

They think Milan wont buy anyone etc.etc.But not only on my school,also on ducht soccer forums everybody has a bad image of Milan because of the past two years(and the Bremen game last year added more fire),thank god they are supporting Ajax so i also can make fun of them!

And i also think its not only in Holland but also in the rest of Europa and the world.

So yes people have a bad image of Milan and Milan are the laughing stock,no you can say that they dont know better and they only read some reports and they dont know what the REAL situation is at Milan(like us having talents they dont know like Albertazzi,Abate etc.),BUT STILL,THE BAD IMAGE IS A FACT!!!!!!

[Rick]

Rick, my friend.....:1five:
it seems that certain "clans" have emerged recently: Optimists and Pessimists


The thing is, I would like to ask you: Are you satisfied with the last 2 seasons with Milan ?

If not, it's not enough to say "Oh I have faith"........because Napoli fans have faith as do all the other fans as well

Actually, I was very satisfied with this past season because when the season began my only goal for the team was to get back to the Champions League. Milan accomplished that. The previous season had been a disappointment and had placed Milan in a difficult financial position without the Champons League funds. Now that Milan is back in the Champions League and the books apparently have been balanced, we shouldn't find ourselves in that situation again. But it's not a matter of being satisfied or dissatisfied with one or two particular seasons. It's a matter of understanding that all clubs go through periods of transition. Milan is no different. We need to begin replacing parts of the squad, but it can't all be done overnight. And there are still 7 1/2 weeks left in the mercato, so there is plenty of time to bring in more reinforcements. :kotc:

[Fret]

Ok, that's all I wanted to know.
Thank you for your answer. :v103:

[drucurl]

How can a mercato be deemed pathetic when there are still 7 1/2 weeks left before it closes? This statement makes no sense to me.
Simple...we have not kept pace with the big clubs. The longer we take the less we integrate any new signing into our squad. We have lost THREE of our biggest contributers with no replacement and we are considering selling a fourth. Unlike manu who have already been making moves to replace ONE star in a team FULL of stars and talented youngsters. We are looking on the third shelf in terms of talent for a player that we lost four years ago. Speaking of four years it's been that long since we had a decent left back. Because this third level seems too expensive we are now contemplating lowering our standards further. So he's RIGHT our mercato is pathetic.

[Dutchie-Milan]

The problem is people on this forum arent appreciating talents like,Albertazzi or Abate,they are not looking at the facts,

Busquets,that midfielder of Barca,has played one season with them in the first team and in that season he became a regular starter for Barca,also in CL,and he conquered a place in the Spain NT.Why could Albertazzi not do this,i mean he is supposed to be the next big thing on LB,why cant he become as important to us?We all want big proven namens that all you all care about,thats why Abbiati wasnt appreciated until now because he has never been a big name!

[Rick]

Rick i agree with most of your comments on our current issues,but i just want to say to you that Milan is being laughed at in other countries,like here in Holland,boys from my school now i am for Milan but they are terrorising me and laughing at me for being a Milan fan,not because we are old or something,just because Galliani is making stupid comments in media and then they appear in Holland,for example everybody thinks now that Milan is very broke and has nothing no money nada nothing they cant buy anyone nomore.

They think Milan wont buy anyone etc.etc.But not only on my school,also on ducht soccer forums everybody has a bad image of Milan because of the past two years(and the Bremen game last year added more fire),thank god they are supporting Ajax so i also can make fun of them!

And i also think its not only in Holland but also in the rest of Europa and the world.

So yes people have a bad image of Milan and Milan are the laughing stock,no you can say that they dont know better and they only read some reports and they dont know what the REAL situation is at Milan(like us having talents they dont know like Albertazzi,Abate etc.),BUT STILL,THE BAD IMAGE IS A FACT!!!!!!

Well, they are foolish to act like that. Pay no attention. Funny, though, that reading your comments got me to thinking about Liverpool fans. Let me say straight off that I hate Liverpool fans with a passion (figuratively speaking, of course, as I'm sure most of them are nice people). But they have this annoying habit of living decades in the past and thinking they are special beyond all others because they won a lot of things in the 1970s and 1980s. Yet, aside from The Match That Shall Not Be Mentioned, they've won nothing in a long, long time. They've never even won the Premier League!

Milan fans seem to be exactly the opposite of Liverpool fans. Collectively, we can't even take pride in something that was accomplished just two years ago by primarily the same group of players we have now unless we did the same thing in the past season. Liverpool fans don't care if people laugh at them. They don't let people laugh at them. They just stick up their middle finger and say "Yeah, well come back and talk to us when you've won the league 18 times and Europe five times!" Liverpool fans always know they're going to win (even though they don't) because by damn they're Liverpool! Yet we sit here as Milan fans -- supporting a club that has won 17 Scudetti and seven European titles -- and we worry that people are laughing because Milan doesn't win every single year? It makes no sense.

Somebody should do a study contrasting the psychology of the Liverpool fan and the Milan fan. It would be fascinating.

[Hasan Rossonero]

Galliani has found a new soul-mate: Russian and blonde.


-----


Andrey Arshavin Commits Future To Arsenal Despite Tax Frustrations
Arsenal are not about to lose one of their best players, but he is not happy with his earnings...
10 Jul 2009 14:27:14
EPL: Andrey Arshavin, Liverpool - Arsenal (PA)


Andrey Arshavin is not pushing for a move to Barcelona and is preparing for the new season with Arsenal, but he is still concerned by the tax situation in the United Kingdom.

The Russian international was linked with a move to the Camp Nou once again this week, only a year after posing in a Barca shirt while still a Zenit St. Petersburg player.

After joining Arsenal in January, Arshavin looked happy until the tax level in England changed and saw him lose 50 per cent of his wages and he made his feelings known.

But the player's discontent has not meant that he is desperate to leave and he has explained that the stories linking him with Barcelona are mere speculation.

"That is nothing more than a rumour," he told Sport Express.

"I'm an Arsenal player and the only thing I am thinking about is preparing for the new season.

"If they do not solve the tax issues in England, it's possible that they will see an exodus of stars.

"But, in my view, the Premier League is still the best.

"However, we will find out when we see what happens in the Champions League, of course."

goal.com

[GeoTav]

Rick i agree with most of your comments on our current issues,but i just want to say to you that Milan is being laughed at in other countries,like here in Holland,boys from my school now i am for Milan but they are terrorising me and laughing at me for being a Milan fan,not because we are old or something,just because Galliani is making stupid comments in media and then they appear in Holland,for example everybody thinks now that Milan is very broke and has nothing no money nada nothing they cant buy anyone nomore.

They think Milan wont buy anyone etc.etc.But not only on my school,also on ducht soccer forums everybody has a bad image of Milan because of the past two years(and the Bremen game last year added more fire),thank god they are supporting Ajax so i also can make fun of them!

And i also think its not only in Holland but also in the rest of Europa and the world.

So yes people have a bad image of Milan and Milan are the laughing stock,no you can say that they dont know better and they only read some reports and they dont know what the REAL situation is at Milan(like us having talents they dont know like Albertazzi,Abate etc.),BUT STILL,THE BAD IMAGE IS A FACT!!!!!!

But you take an example to make a general "law" ...

Milan is still viewed as one of the best clubs in the world (despite our last two seasons that showed we weren't at top) in France.

But I have also friends who laugh at me, not because of what can say Galliani (tell me Dutchie, your friends are well aware about what happens in Milan, wouldn't they be fans too ? Because I have no idea about what can say the presidents of other clubs except when it is linked to Milan), but just because I support them. Even in 2007, when we won the CL, some people were laughing at me ... I never understood :D (probably jealousy as they told me we were cheaters lol etc).

So this bad image isn't a fact, it's just your feeling with people around you who are very aware about football. The footix (it's how the people who support the best teams when they win are called, there are a lot in France, for example, when MU won, you were seeing people with the MU shirt, and now, you can see the Barcelona shirt) don't know and don't care about what can happen from the end of May until the start of September ...

Ah, and also, my feeling too, I never saw as many people as nowadays wearing a Milan shirt in streets, and on the last 2 months, I lived in two cities that are separated by 1000 kilometers ... I noticed the same thing in both. Probably a Ronaldinho effect ...

[Dutchie-Milan]

True very true,like i said in my previous posts,people should have more faith in the players we have here,almost all or our players,for example Ambrosini,are underestimated,to bad.

[Dutchie-Milan]

But you take an example to make a general "law" ...

Milan is still viewed as one of the best clubs in the world (despite our last two seasons that showed we weren't at top) in France.

But I have also friends who laugh at me, not because of what can say Galliani (tell me Dutchie, your friends are well aware about what happens in Milan, wouldn't they be fans too ? Because I have no idea about what can say the presidents of other clubs except when it is linked to Milan), but just because I support them. Even in 2007, when we won the CL, some people were laughing at me ... I never understood :D (probably jealousy as they told me we were cheaters lol etc).

So this bad image isn't a fact, it's just your feeling with people around you who are very aware about football. The footix (it's how the people who support the best teams when they win are called, there are a lot in France, for example, when MU won, you were seeing people with the MU shirt, and now, you can see the Barcelona shirt) don't know and don't care about what can happen from the end of May until the start of September ...

Ah, and also, my feeling too, I never saw as many people as nowadays wearing a Milan shirt in streets, and on the last 2 months, I lived in two cities that are separate by 1000 kilometers ... I noticed the same thing in both. Probably a Ronaldinho effect ...

They arent much aware of Milan,its just when Galliani makes comments or Laporta or Perez it will of course get on the dutch soccer websites and most children from my school are going to those websites once in a while to check news from the clubs they support in Holland(PSV/Ajax/Feyenoord),and then they see i comment like: Milan has to balance books or Milan has no money to buy Dzeko etc. etc. and then they think we are pathetic....

[Ryo]

Rick, my friend.....:1five:
it seems that certain "clans" have emerged recently: Optimists and Pessimists


The thing is, I would like to ask you: Are you satisfied with the last 2 seasons with Milan ?

If not, it's not enough to say "Oh I have faith"........because Napoli fans have faith as do all the other fans as well

I just thought I'd point out another excellent team who's fans have remained steadfast and kept the faith: Leeds United :1d31:

That said, I highly doubt we're going to go into that sort of a crisis (I will give it about the first 10 games of the season though, before I add to that statement).

Once again, you are misunderstanding. Nobody has said Milan is likely to win the Champions League this year. We are merely trying to point out that everyone thought the sky was falling when Shevchenko was sold and that Milan could not compete, but that didn't happen. I don't expect Milan to win the Champions League this year. I wouldn't have expected Milan to win the Champions League this year if Kaka was still here. It would be nice, but it's not necessary. Milan has a good enough squad right now -- with no more additions -- to stay in the top four and in the Champions League. That is enough for me as we go through this transition period. Anything beyond that is gravy. If Milan brings in, say, Fabiano and another player or two this summer, that will strengthen an already good squad. If they then bring in more players next summer (Dzeko, for instance, and maybe a creative midfielder or whatever) that will continue to build the team. Unless you want Milan to be half a billion euros in debt like Real Madrid (without Madrid's built in ability to carry debt without the creditors beating down their doors), you can't expect an entire new team in one summer. The proper way to rebuild is to add a few new pieces at a time and allow the veteran players to help the new ones. This isn't fantasy football.

Rick, you say it like this is the first season we've been playing like crap in either Europe or at home, but its not. Keep the faith sounds good and all, but fans can't live off of "keeping the faith" after 2 or 3 years of transitions. They expect to see results, and with each passing year, they get ever so more impatient. The main problem I feel, is the fact that we happen to be sharing our stadium with the team that's been consistent enough to win the league 4 years straight, regardless of whether they've been playing pretty or $hitty football, and some of the fans are beginning to tire of seeing us not doing the same, and doing not enough to change that.

Surprisingly, I've calmed down a bit since Jeff came back.:mex:
But I still maintain my rational skepticism. I'm not being downright pessimistic here, I just look at things rationally and factually.

The proper way IS to add pieces several at a time, yet do you not see that apart from Flamini and Borriello, the past two years we've been doing nothing but buying quick-fix old chess pieces from other teams at a premium. Were we not trying to transition 3 years back? Also, when you add pieces, you normally tend to keep the pieces you value to last for most of the game, and let go of the dead-weights.

Yes, we have a decent squad who can outmatch any team on its day, yet half of those players are already over 30 and not exactly playing like youngsters anymore. Outmatching can only go so far, specially if you fail to outLAST the opposition. On average, our starting teams normally lasted about 70 Minutes for most games in the past two to three seasons. I started feeling a cold sweat every time we were winning by a small margin or tied when the clock hit the big 70, simply because past precedent indicated that we'd mess up somehow, and in the past three seasons, my fears have been soundly justified in more games than I would like. Keeping the faith only goes so far, until our fabulous team draw or lose a game too many for the umpteenth time, thats when you draw the line.

You're starting to preach like Galliani, and I think thats why some posters are bashing you for it. Eternal Optimism can only take you so far, you should try being skeptical sometimes. We have a decent squad, I won't deny that, but is it enough for a top 4 challenge? With the Italian teams placed 5th to 8th all developing into such strong contenders, I highly suspect not. Remember, we weren't even able to wrap up 3rd place until the last match of the season. If results hadn't gone our way, we could have possibly slipped down to 5th. Now before you start saying "but we didn't and thats all that matters", I bring up this point solely to point out that the teams directly below us aren't as big of push-overs as you guys would hope they were. They're getting stronger, and developing at a much faster pace than us. Just because we're sitting comfortably in third this season doesn't mean we'll be able to do it next season, especially with so many unproven players (for our team at least) in the squad.

Plus, with the new format of the competition, Top 4 doesn't cut it anymore. It has to be top 3, or we risk facing teams like Arsenal or Werder Bremen in the third round CL qualifications. That said, we could possibly be out of the competition even if we got into 4th place next season, simply based on that. You can thank Platini for that :v46:

The repercussions for not meeting or exceeding expectations could possibly lead to a continuous downward spiral. Of course, given that our owner just happens to be rich and all that, our fans were hoping for a somewhat "quicker fix" so that something like that never happens. I personally don't see why that would be considered wrong.

[K77SH C]

How can a mercato be deemed pathetic when there are still 7 1/2 weeks left before it closes? This statement makes no sense to me.

Well, we have sold our best player (For less than we could actually have got)

Favalli has been given a contract extension.

The way Galliani & Berlusconi have gone about this campaign has shown other clubs we will probably accept a half decent offer for any of our players.

We havent been linked with a single player that could potentially make a huge difference. Where is the successor to Maldini? Where is the creativity in midfield? Why are we completely unlikely to go and sign someone with the talent of Aguero to name one example.

The only way this mercato and in fact this club can be saved from sheer and utter mediocrity is if we sign players we havent even been linked with:

A world class or up and coming young goalkeeper
Santacrocce or Zapatta
Someone with creativity like Hernanes, Fabregas, ironically Gourcuff

If the above three signings are made then and only then would a player like Dzeko, Fabiano or Huntelaar help us win something next year.

[MiamiMilanista]

Milannews.it reporting that Milan are chasing Carlos Eduardo

http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/?action=read&id=160436

I know this was reported earlier, but it's front page on Milannews. Very good player who can get the ball around quite a bit

[K77SH C]

Sorry for the double post, but Ryo finally some truth. Rather than the polite denial that has existed in this forum for the past few years.

Inter are light years ahead
We should have kept our best players and lost the dead weight
Instead we sold our best players and have kept the dead weight
We have repeatedly signed older players as wuick solutions and now we are an old age home
We havent trusted any of our youth streams (Be it primavera or scouts) and for this reason we only have one player who can offer guarantees still under 25 (Pato) in our starting lineup.
If we had any semblance of a plan we wouldnt be linked to 28 year old strikers, we would be linked to the next Pato/ Kaka from Brazil, one young goalkeeper, one young, up and coming midefielder, a young fullback and a proven/ young centre back.

Instead we have sold Kaka and signed some unknown 28 year old American from the Belgian league (whatever that is called) and a 28 year old striker who is pretty good (Admitedley).

In the past we had a team of world class old players, pretty soon we will have an old team and nothing else.

It will be so scary if people are on this forum next summer defending the management for selling Pato and trying to convince us that he will be replaced

[mrki]

It will be so scary if people are on this forum next summer defending the management for selling Pato and trying to convince us that he will be replaced

Prepare yourself man, that is only about 365 days away... Maybe they wote for Berlusconi or something, they parents ask them to be puppys, I dont know.

[K77SH C]

Milannews.it reporting that Milan are chasing Carlos Eduardo

http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/?action=read&id=160436

I know this was reported earlier, but it's front page on Milannews. Very good player who can get the ball around quite a bit

Sorry for the triple post, this is what happens when you read from bottom to top:hammer:

This guy is potentially one hell of a striker and still young I think.

I have watched him adn if he gets half a chance, the guy has the ball straight in the back of the net. He is one of the best finishers I have seen. If he has fully recovered from that immense injury he had, I rate him much higher than Adebayor or Van Persie.

[K77SH C]

Prepare yourself man, that is only about 365 days away... Maybe they wote for Berlusconi or something, they parents ask them to be puppys, I dont know.

I can see it now:

We cant tolerate our players constantly flirting with other clubs.
He isnt as good as everyone thinks.
He has a secret injury that Milanlab found.
We will get Essien in return.
We will be able to spend the money on other players
He is the tooth fairy
blah blah blah

[Rick]

Simple...we have not kept pace with the big clubs. The longer we take the less we integrate any new signing into our squad. We have lost THREE of our biggest contributers with no replacement and we are considering selling a fourth. Unlike manu who have already been making moves to replace ONE star in a team FULL of stars and talented youngsters. We are looking on the third shelf in terms of talent for a player that we lost four years ago. Speaking of four years it's been that long since we had a decent left back. Because this third level seems too expensive we are now contemplating lowering our standards further. So he's RIGHT our mercato is pathetic.

Many great Milan players of the past were acquired in late July or August. Nesta was acquired on Aug. 31 after a month of negotiation and an announced end to the negotiations a few weeks before he moved to Milan. Players aren't better just because they sign in June. And when you worry about "integrating" the new signings into the squad, that tells me you're more worried about a few games at the start of the season than you are about the next three or four years.

As for your assertion about Manchester United, yes, they have made moves to replace Ronaldo and Tevez. They bought a winger from Wigan who has scored seven goals and had eight assists in the past three seasons to replace Ronaldo. And they brought in a striker who played the past four seasons at relegated Newcastle, who will turn 30 in December and has a history of being injury-prone, and who hasn't scored more than 12 goals in a season since the 2004-05 season. If Milan had made the same moves this summer to replace lost players that Manchester United has, you'd be howling. Would you really rather have Michael Owen fast and free than to negotiate for a reasonable price on Fabiano?

[Hasan Rossonero]

Milan are not behaving like a top club. A top club doesn't talk about frugality every damn day. That is the truth. I have always said over and over again (for about 2 years) that if we sell Kaka' we will send a message out to the football world saying that we are not a big club, but one that sells its top players. The implications are grave.

So, as we are not behaving like a top club anymore, let's at least behave like a 2nd or 3rd tier club. That is, let's buy good players for positions we really need.
Currently, the management has not spent a penny, but again I will withhold judgement until August 31st.

We need three players.

Also, Pato will leave in about 4-5 years. Today Arshavin said that England's tax problems could lead to an exodus. If it is bad in England, then think how bad it will be in Italy. The two clubs in Spain will boast the best talents in the world. Galliani is not always wrong with regards to this, but he almost uses it as an excuse to do very little on the market.

[Ryo]

Many great Milan players of the past were acquired in late July or August. Nesta was acquired on Aug. 31 after a month of negotiation and an announced end to the negotiations a few weeks before he moved to Milan. Players aren't better just because they sign in June. And when you worry about "integrating" the new signings into the squad, that tells me you're more worried about a few games at the start of the season than you are about the next three or four years.

As for your assertion about Manchester United, yes, they have made moves to replace Ronaldo and Tevez. They bought a winger from Wigan who has scored seven goals and had eight assists in the past three seasons to replace Ronaldo. And they brought in a striker who played the past four seasons at relegated Newcastle, who will turn 30 in December and has a history of being injury-prone, and who hasn't scored more than 12 goals in a season since the 2004-05 season. If Milan had made the same moves this summer to replace lost players that Manchester United has, you'd be howling. Would you really rather have Michael Owen fast and free than to negotiate for a reasonable price on Fabiano?


Again Rick, I really don't like being mean, but you keep mentioning the single example of a signing that really made a huge difference for us in the past 8 years that was brought in during the SUMMER. Even then, he cost us 40+ Million Euros. Come on man, I wouldn't be so pissed if you had another example, or can you not think of one?

And once again I have to stress the fact that Lazio of then was in a crisis when they sold him to us. A crisis doesn't come to clubs every Summer Mercato, mate, be reasonable. Being patient in the current market situation does nothing for us that wouldn't have been done for us if we actually had more bargaining power.

[K77SH C]

Rick when Milan signed Nesta, we were linked to him and Cannavaro all summer. As you know, we got Nesta and Juve got Canna. We arent linked to any world class defenders now.

And when you are integrating players into a side it takes longer than a few games at the start of the season. Ask Rui Costa, ask Flamini, ask Kaladze, he still hasnt settled lol.

[fLame]

I see the major argument of the pessimists here is that our last two season sucked.
As an example of "how it should be done right" you list Manchester United, Barca, Bayern Munich.

1. How long did it take ManU to build a team who is terrorizing England and Europe for the last three years? Their transition period took 9 years. 1999 - 2008. And they are entering another transition period as we speak. See how much trophies they win next season.

2. How long did it take Barca to get through their transition period? It took them OMG 14 years OMG! (1992-2006). They might pull off a couple more years of success, although Real Madrid is pushing hard.

3. You mentioned how Bayern spend something like ~80m euro after they dropped out of Champions League. What exactly did they win after making all those purchases?

That said, Milan fans became kind of spoiled because of our recent spell of success, as we got used to pushing for the Champions League title every year!

By the way, I read an article on Financial Times. They did an analysis of the football club's spendings and correlated those with the club's success.

Their findings: Money spent on transfers account only for 30% of club's success in tournaments! While money spent on wages account for 80% of club's success in tournaments!

Anyone recongize Milan policy in the previous two lines?

[Gabriel489]

I thought ManU got that fast winger on Gourcuff's team.

TO be honest, I don't think fans will be piss if Galli and Berlu would just shut up once in a while. I think it is their comments that got fans piss off more than their actions.
Or maybe it is just me.

Yes, maybe Pool, ManU and Barcelona had not spend much or yet, but you really don't see Fergie or Glazers or Gillet or LaPorta coming out every two days and say that the market is close unless this or the squad is full of champions or we rule the transfer market.....

Also, Rick, I cannot believe you were satisfy by just making the CL this past season. CL was one of the objective but at least make a proper run at UEFA CUP, and also challenging for the League.

[fLame]

TO be honest, I don't think fans will be piss if Galli and Berlu would just shut up once in a while. I think it is their comments that got fans piss off more than their actions.
Or maybe it is just me.

Come on bro, it pisses me off to sometimes. But they have been doing it for years! It's the only way they know to lower the player's price. No, actually there is another way - bad teeth! :2whis:

[Rick]

Rick, you say it like this is the first season we've been playing like crap in either Europe or at home, but its not. Keep the faith sounds good and all, but fans can't live off of "keeping the faith" after 2 or 3 years of transitions. They expect to see results, and with each passing year, they get ever so more impatient.

What is it, exactly, that you're expecting? You do realize, don't you, that Milan has won just one Scudetto in the past 10 years? So why is this suddenly a problem that wasn't there three or four years ago?

The main problem I feel, is the fact that we happen to be sharing our stadium with the team that's been consistent enough to win the league 4 years straight, regardless of whether they've been playing pretty or $hitty football, and some of the fans are beginning to tire of seeing us not doing the same, and doing not enough to change that.

Inter hasn't "won" four straight Scudetti. Inter was handed the first two because of the scandal and they took advantage of the fact that the scandal hurt both Milan and Juve to win the others. If you were paying attention, you'd know that Inter was not that good a team last year. They were inconsistent all season. They were bounced from the first knockout round of the Champions League for the third straight year. They actually let Milan get dangerously close to them late in the Serie A season after building a big lead. What makes you think Inter is so many light years ahead of Milan?



The proper way IS to add pieces several at a time, yet do you not see that apart from Flamini and Borriello, the past two years we've been doing nothing but buying quick-fix old chess pieces from other teams at a premium. Were we not trying to transition 3 years back? Also, when you add pieces, you normally tend to keep the pieces you value to last for most of the game, and let go of the dead-weights.



Pato was a quick-fix old chess piece? Thiago Silva is a quick-fix old chess piece?