View Full Version : Is Milan heading to the right direction?
Pardon me for creating yet another thread. With Kaka's departure, I think I would like to summarize what I have been thinking (mixed feeling) after the end of the season.
My question is "are we heading to the right direction"? I remember how Galliani was so proud of the "family" atmosphere in Milan and Milan will never hold back any players against their wills to leave. All we have seen was that young players with potential being loaned out and sold to other clubs and we have to stick with the same old players for the last few seasons. Unlike Juventus, who loves to pocket any profits from through sales of their "older" star players, we tend to keep every senior level players until they decide to retire because Milan is a family-team and we do not just sell players for profits. This policy or mentality was a nice concept since it creates a closely bonded atmosphere within the team, but we have also witnessed the adverse effect of this policy (For example, Seedorf). Milan has become a retirement home and this is a partial reason for the recent unsuccessful seaons.
With the departure of Ancelotti, Maldini, and now Kaka, I think the management starts to steer away from the old habit by keeping players forever. With my eyes wide open to see what the management will be working on for the next 2 months, I start to think whether Milan is becoming more "Juve." Are we going to lose the family bond concept and turn into a pure shizzness buy-low-sell-high team? I don't know, and I am anxious to see what this new Milan is and how this new Milan team can start a new era.
Next, I don't believe this is a recent decision of Kaka's departure. However, like everyone else pointed out, how can we lose Gourcuff, who has the potential to step in and fill in Kaka's position? Now, with 70 million pounds, what is the management planning to do? Who are they planning to recruit? What tactical system will be adopted to the new team? With all these uncertainties, I am afraid that Leonardo will have a difficult summer, if not next season.
The next question is who will be the icon for Milan now? Kaka had the image to be the next Milan leader. Without him, I am not sure whether Gattuso, or even Ambrosini, can fill in the shoe. I don't think Pato has developed to take over the void left by Kaka yet. I am afraid that this void will not be filled in the next couple years. Maybe this is a good thing in hindsight, but I, as a fan for the past 15 - 20 years, am left with this empty feeling about this new team. More in significance, Milan is becoming a market for other teams with deep pockets to shop at. The old glorious Milan is long gone, and it is a little to hard to swallow on this transition. Maybe we should consider a change in the management as well and try to bring in more money? and boy, money, money, money, have we heard enough of this from Galliani?
My personal wishes to Santa for the summer:
1. Chelsea, please take Seedorf with you.
2. Chelsea, please take back Shevchenko.
3. Someone, please get Dida.
4. Napoli, come get Borriello for player exchange.
5. Sendoros, please return to Arsenal.
6. If price is right, I don't mind seeing Ronaldinho's exit.
7. Let's get serious about making a revolution and don't do a half-ass job.
savage_mau
09-06-2009, 07:03
I agree with you on your santa wishes...
Not only kaka need to leave to start a new evoluation. perhase gorky should not be sold. and the worst nightmare gorky 15m + kaka 59m is use to balance our account only and no real big signing arrive.
My question is "are we heading to the right direction"?
I think it depends on how the money received from the sale of Kaka is utilized. Milan's debt is not at all unmanageable, but it easily could have become such had Milan spent like a drunken sailor as Real Madrid is and as some of the English clubs have (yes, Silvio could cover any debts out of pocket, but he has always run Milan as a business more than as a plaything). This is an opportunity to rebuild Milan as a younger, fresher club for the future. Leonardo has proven to be a great judge of talent (I may have some qualms about his lack of coaching experience, but I have none about his judgement regarding players). Milan must now let him use the money to rebuild the squad in his own image. If they do, then I think we've embarked on the right direction.
The next question is who will be the icon for Milan now? Kaka had the image to be the next Milan leader. Without him, I am not sure whether Gattuso, or even Ambrosini, can fill in the shoe. I don't think Pato has developed to take over the void left by Kaka yet. I am afraid that this void will not be filled in the next couple years. Maybe this is a good thing in hindsight, but I, as a fan for the past 15 - 20 years, am left with this empty feeling about this new team. More in significance, Milan is becoming a market for other teams with deep pockets to shop at. The old glorious Milan is long gone, and it is a little to hard to swallow on this transition. Maybe we should consider a change in the management as well and try to bring in more money? and boy, money, money, money, have we heard enough of this from Galliani?
I don't think it's necessary to have an "icon" at all times. Maldini has been the true icon of Milan for many, many years. Sheva was to a certain extent, as Kaka was to a bit lesser extent after him. But really it was always Maldini. Sadly, our beloved Paolo couldn't go on forever. Others will step forward and fill the void. We just need to be patient and give Leonardo a chance to rebuild.
It is true that money has become a pox on the game. This was inevitable. But Milan is actually in a better position for the long run than are a lot of other clubs. Did you see the debt figures for the Premiership that came out the other day? It was staggering, particularly the debt of the "Big Four." This is not sustainable and if some clubs continue to spend freely, they will find themselves buried under a mountain of debt. I'm astonished at the financial position Liverpool is in, yet they are claiming they'll still spend more than any English club than Chelsea this summer. It's madness.
So maybe taking a more financially responsible approach will pay off for Milan in the long run.
My personal wishes to Santa for the summer:
1. Chelsea, please take Seedorf with you.
2. Chelsea, please take back Shevchenko.
3. Someone, please get Dida.
4. Napoli, come get Borriello for player exchange.
5. Sendoros, please return to Arsenal.
6. If price is right, I don't mind seeing Ronaldinho's exit.
7. Let's get serious about making a revolution and don't do a half-ass job.
I agree with this (although I'm not against giving Borriello another chance as he was playing fairly well aside from his awful finishing). I also think Ronaldinho can be a good stop-gap as the squad is rebuilt, but I agree that if Manchester City or someone were willing to pay Gourcuff-type money for him, it would be best to sell him.
I once mentioned in a previous post that i was worried that Italy was falling behind other countries, pointing out the following facts:
Italian teams don't own their stadiums and share the revenue with other teams (English and Spanish therefore make more money from their stadiums)
Spanish and English teams are able to market themselves better
Spain are allowed 3 non EU players (Italy 1 - now 2)
English teams can steal (sorry sign) players at 16.
Taxes (in the gazzetta it claims Kaka is getting paid 10m euros net at Real and they have to pay 13.2m where as while he was at Milan we had to pay 20m euros for the same result.
Now i know that every fan is angry with the whole Kaka situation myself included. There are however many reasons to blame for the current predicament we find ourselves in.
The management:
The Milan management are responsible for our £60m loss last year by paying the likes of Dida, Shevchenko, Emerson millions of pounds to sit on the bench. Can anyone please tell me why a youth goalkeeper, Paloschi and Gourcouff couldn't have done a better job for a lot less money? Unfortunately Galliani and Berlusconi have dug their grave by having the family mentality and now they're having to lie in it.
At the same time, (selling Kaka was not the answer) but i do believe and pray that thay are now looking if not heading in the right direction. I hate to say it but Milan had become stagnant. Unable to generate any new plays, none of the players had any urgency about them. Now every player will be thinking if they can sell Kaka then they can sell me.
I hope more then anything that we do invest in younger players. It is such a shame that Gurcouff didn't come back as he would have been a perfect replacement for Kaka and would have softened the blow.
No one is perfect and i do believe the management have learnt by their mistakes. Football has changed and unfortunately the old way of managing the club has no place in today's sport. Therefore we are having to adapt.
I am glad we are not in a position like some of the English teams where their owner could just walk away and leave them 100's of millions of pounds in debt.
The players:
All the players said they did not want Ancelotti to go, but it was those players who week on week were not putting the performances in. It's easy now for everyone to want to jump ship but a lot of players need to look at themselves as they know they let Ancelotti, the fans and the name of AC Milan down. We couldn't even perform in the Coppa Italia or Uefa cup. A lot of the players had become complacent.
At the same time as much as we are blaming the management, can Kaka really be blameless? It's all well and good to say you want to stay and he left Milan for the good of the club, but year on year he was able to negotiate a pay rise because clubs were after him. How can we justify paying him more then the great Paolo Maldini who has given so much more to the club over a 24 year period.
The fans:
Finally we need to look at the fans (please do not think i am generalising with all fans, I am not).
We are AC Milan, i used to be proud to be a Milan fan because we had an air of elegance to us. If we lost, we lost with dignity. We never insulted our opponents least of all our own players. Recently however we have turned on the team and the players (to an extreme), the management in a very negative way. No team can stay on the top for ever and I believe we are going through a transitional period.
We seem to have forgotten the great years of success that Berlusconi and co have bought us. The happy times Maldini has given us by lifting trophies. Because he made 2 statements (which i believe were justified) that the fans need to get behind the team in the bad times, he is jeered on his last home game. How is that in anyway right?
Unfortunately i do think it is a time for Milan to have a clear out and bring in some fresh blood.
As much as i'm glad that Milan were not relegated like Juventus because of the Calcipoli scandal i am a little envious of how their hand has been forced to rejuvinate their team.
I do believe that youth is the future and hopefully we will follow this route. There are many players available at a reasonable price who would be proud to wear the Milan shirt, and that is what it is about. Pride.
I have pride in AC Milan the football club (not one player or any management) and will continue to support them even when not doing so well.
We are AC Milan people and we will be great again. Keep your chins up and keep smiling, that is what makes us as a team!!
Forza Milan.
Peace to everyone (even Inter fans) :1ole:
I once mentioned in a previous post that i was worried that Italy was falling behind other countries, pointing out the following facts:
Italian teams don't own their stadiums and share the revenue with other teams (English and Spanish therefore make more money from their stadiums)
Spanish and English teams are able to market themselves better
Spain are allowed 3 non EU players (Italy 1 - now 2)
English teams can steal (sorry sign) players at 16.
Taxes (in the gazzetta it claims Kaka is getting paid 10m euros net at Real and they have to pay 13.2m where as while he was at Milan we had to pay 20m euros for the same result.
Now i know that every fan is angry with the whole Kaka situation myself included. There are however many reasons to blame for the current predicament we find ourselves in.
The management:
The Milan management are responsible for our £60m loss last year by paying the likes of Dida, Shevchenko, Emerson millions of pounds to sit on the bench. Can anyone please tell me why a youth goalkeeper, Paloschi and Gourcouff couldn't have done a better job for a lot less money? Unfortunately Galliani and Berlusconi have dug their grave by having the family mentality and now they're having to lie in it.
At the same time, (selling Kaka was not the answer) but i do believe and pray that thay are now looking if not heading in the right direction. I hate to say it but Milan had become stagnant. Unable to generate any new plays, none of the players had any urgency about them. Now every player will be thinking if they can sell Kaka then they can sell me.
I hope more then anything that we do invest in younger players. It is such a shame that Gurcouff didn't come back as he would have been a perfect replacement for Kaka and would have softened the blow.
No one is perfect and i do believe the management have learnt by their mistakes. Football has changed and unfortunately the old way of managing the club has no place in today's sport. Therefore we are having to adapt.
I am glad we are not in a position like some of the English teams where their owner could just walk away and leave them 100's of millions of pounds in debt.
The players:
All the players said they did not want Ancelotti to go, but it was those players who week on week were not putting the performances in. It's easy now for everyone to want to jump ship but a lot of players need to look at themselves as they know they let Ancelotti, the fans and the name of AC Milan down. We couldn't even perform in the Coppa Italia or Uefa cup. A lot of the players had become complacent.
At the same time as much as we are blaming the management, can Kaka really be blameless? It's all well and good to say you want to stay and he left Milan for the good of the club, but year on year he was able to negotiate a pay rise because clubs were after him. How can we justify paying him more then the great Paolo Maldini who has given so much more to the club over a 24 year period.
The fans:
Finally we need to look at the fans (please do not think i am generalising with all fans, I am not).
We are AC Milan, i used to be proud to be a Milan fan because we had an air of elegance to us. If we lost, we lost with dignity. We never insulted our opponents least of all our own players. Recently however we have turned on the team and the players (to an extreme), the management in a very negative way. No team can stay on the top for ever and I believe we are going through a transitional period.
We seem to have forgotten the great years of success that Berlusconi and co have bought us. The happy times Maldini has given us by lifting trophies. Because he made 2 statements (which i believe were justified) that the fans need to get behind the team in the bad times, he is jeered on his last home game. How is that in anyway right?
Unfortunately i do think it is a time for Milan to have a clear out and bring in some fresh blood.
As much as i'm glad that Milan were not relegated like Juventus because of the Calcipoli scandal i am a little envious of how their hand has been forced to rejuvinate their team.
I do believe that youth is the future and hopefully we will follow this route. There are many players available at a reasonable price who would be proud to wear the Milan shirt, and that is what it is about. Pride.
I have pride in AC Milan the football club (not one player or any management) and will continue to support them even when not doing so well.
We are AC Milan people and we will be great again. Keep your chins up and keep smiling, that is what makes us as a team!!
Forza Milan.
Peace to everyone (even Inter fans) :1ole:
This is a great post, echoing many of my own views. There are plenty of young, hungry, Italian players who Milan can buy for reasonable prices and the important thing is, using Rafa Benitez favourite word, they are players of real quality. Its a shame Milan doesn't seem to be pursuing any one of these players at all, Quagliarella has gone, Cigrani has gone? So too D'Agostino? I think we can all agree Fabiano Santacroce seems to be a player of great promise, but theres no hint of the slightest interest from Milan.
We need a good striker and a good defender. I can think of Dzeko and Santacroce at the moment. If we are heavily in debt then we should get rid of players who have high wages. Players like Seedorf, Pirlo, Dida and Kaladze.
There are so many upcoming players in the serie a who can play the same position as Pirlo if not better. Players like Dessena, Galloppa and Cigarini ( snapped by Napoli ) can replace Pirlo.
I think Berlusconi has lost it this time
We need a good striker and a good defender. I can think of Dzeko and Santacroce at the moment. If we are heavily in debt then we should get rid of players who have high wages. Players like Seedorf, Pirlo, Dida and Kaladze.
There are so many upcoming players in the serie a who can play the same position as Pirlo if not better. Players like Dessena, Galloppa and Cigarini ( snapped by Napoli ) can replace Pirlo.
I think Berlusconi has lost it this time
As far as I know, Milan is talking to Dzeko.
I would kike to know who is the owner of Milan ? Everybody is talking about Berlusconi of course, but who is the real owner ? Is it finnivest ? Berlusconi´s son and daughter are now in charge there, maybe this is part of the problem ? ( They don´t want to loose money anymore to the club ) ??
Just a suggestion, lets take Van Der Vaart, Sneijder and Heitinga from Spain and pray they'll work like the Dutch Trio we used to have. Since we seem to need some "potential" players, lets try for those ones :P
Just a suggestion, lets take Van Der Vaart, Sneijder and Heitinga from Spain and pray they'll work like the Dutch Trio we used to have. Since we seem to need some "potential" players, lets try for those ones :P
I would love to see that happen. Certainly Sneijder and Van der Vaart are available (and you would think Real Madrid would be willing to deal and get a portion of their money back after Milan just sold them Kaka).
Gilardino explains AC Milan failure
12.6 || webmaster
Source: Football Italia
Fiorentina and Italy striker Alberto Gilardino has explained why his career never really took off at Milan.
The 26-year-old left the Rossoneri under a cloud last summer after three disappointing years at San Siro.
Milan paid Parma £18m for him in 2005, convinced he was the next big thing, however, he only scored 44 goals in 142 appearances.
Fiorentina came in for him last summer and he has managed to resurrect his career, finishing his first season in Tuscany with 25 goals.
“Ancelotti wanted me at Milan and, in the beginning, he made me play a lot,” Gilardino told Italian magazine Chi.
“Then something changed, but not on the Coach's behalf. And that's all I want to say on the matter.
“In football, there is almost never any recognition. You have to begin again from zero every year,” he concluded.
Blacktop
11-06-2009, 14:51
Gilardino explains AC Milan failure
12.6 || webmaster
Source: Football Italia
Fiorentina and Italy striker Alberto Gilardino has explained why his career never really took off at Milan.
“Then something changed, but not on the Coach's behalf. And that's all I want to say on the matter.
Wow, what a hell of an explanation. That cleared everything right up.
LOL I kinda feel sorry for Gila
Wait, I don't get it. Berlusconi?
Oh wait wait wait, it had to be because he is not psychologically strong enough to play for a big team, or he just sucks according to some of our faithful here.
J
You can read on the real madrid site Sacchi's statement regarding Kaka, it's very funny.
Here's a piece of it:
"I saw him play in Italy in a friendly match, and when it was over, I jokingly said to Ancelotti and Tasotti, "You've finally signed a top quality player," because they always made mistakes when signing players... Kaka is a footballer that thrills me".
http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202773708525/noticia/NoticiaComentario/Kaka_slipped_through_his_fingers.htm
Milan does NOT have a history of signing flop players compared to other teams it's not even close. This is going too far. We can be pessimistic about the future but the past? please...
I know, I just put some quotes to start a debate here in this thread.
We could eventually discuss about forthcoming season.
These quotes were just funny so i wanted to share them with everybody, you shouldn't take everything so seriously :3band:
BTW...Milan has had both flops and Great signings before and will have again, just like any other club.
It's nothing special and it is actually normal because no one is perfect.
I wasn't taking it seriously :)
In my opinion it's not so much about this team heading in the right direction or not as it is what is the future direction at all. Statements from Galliani that we will replace those leaving adequately speak of no plan at all, if you ask me.
Galliani said to Gazzetta dello Sport today that Senderos, Sheva and Mattioni are leaving the club.
I wasn't taking it seriously :)
In my opinion it's not so much about this team heading in the right direction or not as it is what is the future direction at all. Statements from Galliani that we will replace those leaving adequately speak of no plan at all, if you ask me.+1
In summary:
1)Kaka gone (biggest loss) a symbol and our best player
2)Gourcuff gone (kaka's heir apparent)
3)Ronaldinho and Seedorf apparently the successors to the above two :1old:
4) Pato must be feeling fantastic atm with the TWO biggest heroes gone (R99 (my hero :( ) and Kaka)
5)There is now a feeling that Berlu would sell ANYONE for the right price after HE LIED about BOTH $#eva and Kaka being untouchable :rolleyes: I will be anxious EVERY TRANSFER WINDOW now as it's only a matter of time before Pato goes to his dream team (also Real Madrid)
6)We have a coach with NO coaching license :stupid:
7)We haven't has a proper Left back since '06 with Serginho
8)Kicked out a coach loved by all because he didn't play Berlu's pet horse
9)Fan quality on the wane....booing Maldini and all
10)Zambrotta is on borrowed time but hey that's no reason not to send back Mattioni
Yeah great direction....you may notice the temperature increases further down the journey.....don't panic that's just the club descending further into hell
Gabriel489
11-06-2009, 23:46
Well, at least Milan are still holding onto Viudez and Cardacio.
We have to thank Berlu for NOT SELLING SEEDORF, I mean what can Milan do without him beside playing a faster game and midfield being more mobile.
Warro Bantan
11-06-2009, 23:50
This is a good topic, if there ever was one.
I have to believe that there is some plan behind all this...yes, Plan A (ie get Gourcuff back, after we sell Kaka) failed, but there must be a Plan B....
Or at least this is my hope.
It is a bit simplistic though, to think that the management are now sitting, twiddling their thumbs, wondering: "What do we do now....?"
One doesnt become a billionaire, and a prime-minister, without the ability to plan, and when that "Plan A" is compromised, to have some sort of contingency planning in place. Somewhere along the line, this plan will kick in, if it hasnt already.
All this is of course, speculative, so I may just be running my "mouth" here...though I refuse to believe management is just at a loss at present.
The absence of news, rumors or gossip about a plan, doesnt mean the plan does not exist. I think that one must, or do we disregard decades of success as the results of just luck and splashing cash?
A look at Milan´s history, shows that every decade, we have a pattern of success, followed by rebuilding. As the first decade of 2000 draws to a close, we currently see this period of transition, where we will rebuild the team, from coach through to key players in the squad.
An often overlooked situation with the Kaka transfer, is that in one year, he would have been able to leave on a free....which would have caused much more grief than a sale for a (then) world record fee...this injection of cash is hopefully to be used either directly, or indirectly in the renewal process.
The fact that Galliani and Leonardo travelled to visit Gourcuff before Carlo left the club, for me is a sure sign that there were plans afoot that were not made public. Though Berlu´s declaration of a salary review and summer clear out if we didnt make the UCL places, surely was an even earlier harbinger of things to come.
If we do invest (and I think we will) in the mercato, I see us, for a change, acting directly on the advice of the person actually going to dictate the tactics, and this for me, is a good thing, though the assumption that the tactics and management capacity of a green coach will be anything near successfull is certainly a brave one.
Yet, I have to give him the benefit of the doubt, and not only that, but accede to the fact that, more often than not, when pulling a coach "out of the hat" for lack of a better expression, few are better at it than Berlu.
Just ask Capello...(and Cryuff for that matter :D )
So...in summary, I do believe that we are headed in a "new" direction, or, from another perspective, simply a turn in the cycle, another trough before the peak.
We run the risk of a rookie coach in the UCL, a competition which will pit him against the toughest coaches and the best teams....I definately will be going to the Milan vs Chelsea match in the US now that I know it will be Leo v Carlo, and a surefire prelude to a face off in the UCL this term, if history is any predictor of the future.
Yet Milan have been here before with Capello and to a lesser extent, Sacci, and so, why not Leo?
IMO, we can hope to get to the knockout stages at best, or out in the first group stage at worst, and if so, I would prefer us to be out of Europe all together, so as to allow focus on the Serie A, where at best we will challenge for the title, or worst, be in mid-table 2/3rds of the way through the season, and hoping for a UCL spot by season´s end.
I will hope for the best though, not only with regard to Leo´s coaching, but also the aquisitions we start the season with....Guardiola did the treble in one season, maybe Leo can do it in 2? :dontkn:
A lot will depend on our mercato...so lets start from there.
Kind of unfair to compare Guardiola with Leo. Guardiola got amazing players at his disposal even in the first season, and they have been doing well anyway (though correct me if I'm wrong). selling a declining R80 is the right thing to do; clearly unlike selling a totally fit Kaka`.
J
I have to say Warro raised a good point - Given how Berlusconi is, he does not run risk to ruin his reputation by randomly approving Leonardo as a coach. I can't imagine he just lets things happen without a backup plan.
By the way, am I the only one noticing that there are not many interview reports with Leonardo? The coverage on Milan website is very limited. Does anyone actually watch Milan Channel and can share anything interesting?
From what I have read on the transfer market so far, it's all blowing wind with no action. I have not seen Dzeko enough to offer my opinion. It's still have a month before pre-season training starts - I am praying for some good news. Mexes? I am not so sure about this transfer since there are like 15 defenders in the team (yeah, I know I exaggerate). Unless they are planning to offload a few defenders, or the new tactic is to play 6 defenders and cherry picking, I really don't see buying Mexes is a huge step forward. Of course, if Nesta can never play like he was before, we have to find a replacement.
If getting Paloschi back from Parma means giving young players more opportunities, I think everyone will agree that's probably a step forward, though this is too early to say.
P.S. I am not that upset about Kaka's departure anymore. I think it is just hard to face such a dramatic change in two weeks.
One thing frightens me with Milan and it's their "Oh, we're just like a family" talk.
In one way, that's a positive thing, but I think Milan went too far with this and B&G are unable to get rid of some players that are not needed by this club anymore.
Transfers are totally different thing...sometimes you "score", sometimes you "fail."
...I found this piece of comment that I agree with..it's from MR Rick:
As for Milan, the biggest problem is that Silvio, Uncle Fester and Carlo all fell in love with the players Milan had and refused to believe they couldn't all be Paolo Maldini and play until they were 40.
Very little was done to groom replacements and as the older players signed new contracts or other contract options were triggered, the salary burden only grew. Loyalty and love for what your players have accomplished is fine, but sometimes hard, cold business decisions need to be made.
Even now it seems that Milan is reluctant to cash in on players such as Pirlo and Seedorf while they still have value. So we watch them grow old at Milan rather than sell them and use the funds to buy younger, more dynamic players while reducing the salary burden at the same time.
One might actually say now that Kaka left because of love for this club.
Why couldn't some other players do do the same
Warro is right, and Edmando also.
But this time it is bigger and somehow I don´t trust Berlusconi´s vieuw no more. He has done some really stupid things lately, not only when it comes to football.
If it is true that his son and daughter take over finnivest, things become more logical to me. Berlusconi is no longer businessman, but a primeminister with more time for his hobby: AC Milan. His kids don´t wanna put money into the club anymore, though Berlusconi has to find another way.
Rebuild Milan from the bottom. With players without influence and with a puppet on a string coach.
Thinking that way, it doesn´t surprise me anymore that he doesn´t defend Maldini. I think, in a way he was glad to get rid of him. Or do you have another explaination for the fact that Milan didn´t offer him a job ?
I hope that Mr. B still is a man with vision and not just getting crazy......
Hey, this is my first post! ANyway, here are some players linked on the way out of Milan, and the way in! (excluding Dzeko and Pirlo!)
Articles from goal.com
Milan To Pounce For Karim Benzema If Edin Dzeko Plans Breakdown – Report
Benzema has been tipped to join Milan, but voices in France have other ideas...
12 Jun 2009 10:03:28
Milan may turn their attentions to Olympique Lyonnais ace Karim Benzema if the club scraps plans for Wolfsburg star Edin Dzeko, according to reports.
The Rossoneri have been keen on the Bosnian, however, the German side have thus far shunned the Italian club’s advances. Vice president Adriano Galliani warned he would consider dropping interest in Dzeko if the chase for him reached a dead end.
"Wolfsburg responded to us, and although Dzeko is out first objective, we have two or three targets," Galliani told Sky Sport Italia on Thursday.
Nevertheless, the bald-headed chief is still keen on bringing in a top striker and Tuttosport claims that man could be Lyon's Benzema.
Milan director Ariedo Braida has been advising the club to make a move for the French ace, however, Lyon seem reluctant to cash in on their man.
"Benzema will leave Lyon next year. He doesn't feel like leaving in the season that leads to the World Cup," Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said.
Despite some resistance emerging, reports in Italy claim a €35 million bid from Milan will break Lyon's ball and chain hold on the striker. Previous reports have claimed the French side will accept nothing less than €50m.
In addition, Barcelona and Manchester United have also been linked with the star.
Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com
Report: Napoli Pushing For Milan Midfielder Massimo Ambrosini
Donadoni is trying to persuade the 32-year-old to join him in Campania.
12 Jun 2009 09:46:03
Napoli are continuing their high-profile recruitment drive ahead of next season and the Corriere dello Sport suggests that the Partenopei are set to make a bid for Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini.
The Italian international’s contract with the Rossoneri will expire next year and the Via Turati directors have yet to open talks over a new deal.
Napoli boss Roberto Donadoni, who left Milan one year after Ambrosini arrived at the club, is said to hold the battling midfielder in high esteem and would like him in his three-man midfield alongside Uruguayan Walter Gargano and playmaker Luca Cigarini, whose transfer from Atalanta should be finalised after the Under-21 European Championships.
However, Milan are said to be unwilling to release the player. In addition, his wages of €2.5 million per year might prove a stumbling block as the Vesuviani have enforced a stringent salary cap since returning to the top flight.
Napoli have already completed the capture of Italy international striker Fabio Quagliarella from Udinese and are set to announce the arrival of defender Hugo Campagnaro from Sampdoria in exchange for €5m plus winger Daniele Mannini.
Vince Masiello, Goal.com
Ambroisini move sounds good to me, as I have never been a great fan of his! Also, Benzema move is bad, bcs he had a dissapointing season this year.
Also rumours of Gatusso moving to Chelsea, but you have probably already heard of that!
Welcome Sali! Glad to have you aboard! :5schal:
Insteresting stuff. I hadn't seen that Napoli/Ambrosini link. It would be strange to see that happen after Ambrosini was just made captain though!
Welcome Sali! Glad to have you aboard! :5schal:
Insteresting stuff. I hadn't seen that Napoli/Ambrosini link. It would be strange to see that happen after Ambrosini was just made captain though!
Do you reckon giving Kaka the captaincy would have deterred him from leaving for Real? Probably not, but just a wishful thought. We need a true symbol for captain. Someone that Milan thinks of straight away when hearing of Milan. That is why i think Gatusso would be a better option!
Do you reckon giving Kaka the captaincy would have deterred him from leaving for Real? Probably not, but just a wishful thought. We need a true symbol for captain. Someone that Milan thinks of straight away when hearing of Milan. That is why i think Gatusso would be a better option!
Good question. I remember Maldini had said something about Milan should make Kaka the captain, but obviously they had selling him in mind. After Kaka, Gattuso was my first choice for captain as well, but now he may be going to Chelsea if reports are accurate (and I always take them with a grain of salt).
Good question. I remember Maldini had said something about Milan should make Kaka the captain, but obviously they had selling him in mind. After Kaka, Gattuso was my first choice for captain as well, but now he may be going to Chelsea if reports are accurate (and I always take them with a grain of salt).
No problem if one of the two Ambro or Gatusso leave. We have Flamini, and Strasser who has shown he has a fiery side to him( got a yellow card in debut).
As Galliani has said (p.s i don't trust him, and as soon as he says he will get a "champion" i get scared), the foundations are good. We just need a new mentality, a sense of risk in order to win big. Walk away from old and proven players, and trust young players.:hmmm:
No problem if one of the two Ambro or Gatusso leave. We have Flamini, and Strasser who has shown he has a fiery side to him( got a yellow card in debut).
As Galliani has said (p.s i don't trust him, and as soon as he says he will get a "champion" i get scared), the foundations are good. We just need a new mentality, a sense of risk in order to win big. Walk away from old and proven players, and trust young players.:hmmm:
Of the two, I would rather keep Gattuso because he always plays with such fierce passion, but he was very close to Carlo so maybe he will go. I agree, Milan has an opportunity to begin to put together a younger, more dynamic squad by purchasing a few great young talents to mix in with some of the established veterans.
Of the two, I would rather keep Gattuso because he always plays with such fierce passion, but he was very close to Carlo so maybe he will go. I agree, Milan has an opportunity to begin to put together a younger, more dynamic squad by purchasing a few great young talents to mix in with some of the established veterans.
I really think that Galliani and co. should just back off a bit and let the manager do "his thing" to a certain extent! I had a feeling that Carlo was more like a puppet, with his strings being pulled on by someone up high, who just wanted to have good memories of the past by keeping all the old players that acheived success 5 years ago.
Anyway, of course i would prefer Gatusso to stay. I don't think that Ambro has got what it takes to be captain, and Gatusso is just a beast with white line fever. Maybe soimeone in between the two in attitude? Maldini was the greatest, it will be a LONG time till someone as good at leadership comes along to this club.
I really think that Galliani and co. should just back off a bit and let the manager do "his thing" to a certain extent! I had a feeling that Carlo was more like a puppet, with his strings being pulled on by someone up high, who just wanted to have good memories of the past by keeping all the old players that acheived success 5 years ago.
I agree. And I think maybe they are to a certain extent. They seem to trust his judgement. Leonardo may not have experience as a coach, but he has always had a keen eye for talent. If he says he wants a guy such as Dzeko, I think that will mean a lot -- but maybe I'm being overly optimistic. :uhm:
I agree. And I think maybe they are to a certain extent. They seem to trust his judgement. Leonardo may not have experience as a coach, but he has always had a keen eye for talent. If he says he wants a guy such as Dzeko, I think that will mean a lot -- but maybe I'm being overly optimistic. :uhm:
Never give up hope man, however bleak the future may look (referring to Mialn)!
Are we the only two online now?
I don't necessarily want to give the AC manager as much freedom as Wegner for example, but try to make it a bit of a democracy, if you get my gist! :pp20:
bLOND !-,-!
12-06-2009, 12:51
dzeko signed a pre-agreement
Milan Sign Edin Dzeko - Report
http://goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/06/12/1320828/milan-sign-edin-dzeko-report
dzeko signed a pre-agreement
Milan Sign Edin Dzeko - Report
http://goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/06/12/1320828/milan-sign-edin-dzeko-report
I don't know if this is an improvement from the situation before since the biggest problem, having agreement with Wolfsburg, is still not clear. I hope, Milan can sign him soon and can focus afterwards to centre back.
I don't know if this is an improvement from the situation before since the biggest problem, having agreement with Wolfsburg, is still not clear. I hope, Milan can sign him soon and can focus afterwards to centre back.
It certainly isn't anything we don't already know, but hey, it is better than nothing. Remember, nothing is official as yet, and pre-season agreements are never official!:p1511:
I was just wondering how many of you actually believe in Dida, and trust him completely between the sticks? Or do most of you prefer to see someone else backing up Abbiati next season who can seriously push for his no. 1 spot?
I must say that Dida actually performed well in the latter stages of the campaign, but if we must need a change, here are some candidates:
- Mandanda (France)
- Adler (Germany)
- Bruno (Brazil)
I feel Galliani would prefer to save cash, and ignore the current goalkeeping situation. This could cost Milan dearly!:r7:
I don't know if this is an improvement from the situation before since the biggest problem, having agreement with Wolfsburg, is still not clear. I hope, Milan can sign him soon and can focus afterwards to centre back.
I would have thought we would go for Centre Backs and Keepers b4 a move like this, but for stars that are capable of replacing Kaka, they usually take longer to get, and so, yes, we must start as early as possible. Good to see Milan are atleast trying straight away!
Rayno_acm
13-06-2009, 02:34
I think guys, that something went very wrong with our management...
I don't understand why we were forced to sell our top player to cover financial depts...
Guys, just 2 years ago we won the CL, collecting at least 70 mln form it, if not more...A year earlier we sold Sheva for 50 mln, some of the money were invested in Ricardo Oliveira and Ronaldo, but atleast the half of the money from Sheva stayed in the club.
In the summer of 2007, we had these 70 mln, and we bouhgt Pato for 22 mln. This means we had atleast 48 mln in the end of the summer.
One year later we bought Ronaldinho and Zambrotta for around 30 mln, but we sold Gilardino to Fiorentina for 15 mln. This means that we had around 30 mln, who we lost as a consequence for missing the CL, as I know becouse of that missing we lost around 30-40 mln. From a very reliable source I heard that last summer Berlusconi invested 70 mln in the club.
In May we sold Gourcuff (:angf::d55::angf:) for around 15-17 mln, and suddenly, in the beggining of June we had to sell our simbol and probable next captain Ricardo Kaka' to cover some depts?!??!!?? :confused:
I don't understand it... Man, this is just 2 years, how could this be possible...:eekani:
We shouldn't sell our best player to build a new team, we should build around him. For God's sake, in our last game of the season in Firenze, we had only 2 players under 30 in the staring line-up, and Ricky Kaka' was one of them. The other one was Flamini. Ricky himself couple of times said that this squad has to rejuvenated.
Now we have to build a new team around 30 years old Pirlo, 31 years old Gattuso, 33 years old Seedorf and so on instead of the 27 years old Ricardo Kaka'...:confused::stupid:
well apparently Maldini is about to join the back room staff at chelsea.
so a definitive no.
how can we lose paolo?
I think guys, that something went very wrong with our management...
I don't understand why we were forced to sell our top player to cover financial depts...
Guys, just 2 years ago we won the CL, collecting at least 70 mln form it, if not more...A year earlier we sold Sheva for 50 mln, some of the money were invested in Ricardo Oliveira and Ronaldo, but atleast the half of the money from Sheva stayed in the club.
In the summer of 2007, we had these 70 mln, and we bouhgt Pato for 22 mln. This means we had atleast 48 mln in the end of the summer.
One year later we bought Ronaldinho and Zambrotta for around 30 mln, but we sold Gilardino to Fiorentina for 15 mln. This means that we had around 30 mln, who we lost as a consequence for missing the CL, as I know becouse of that missing we lost around 30-40 mln. From a very reliable source I heard that last summer Berlusconi invested 70 mln in the club.
In May we sold Gourcuff (:angf::d55::angf:) for around 15-17 mln, and suddenly, in the beggining of June we had to sell our simbol and probable next captain Ricardo Kaka' to cover some depts?!??!!?? :confused:
I don't understand it... Man, this is just 2 years, how could this be possible...:eekani:
We shouldn't sell our best player to build a new team, we should build around him. For God's sake, in our last game of the season in Firenze, we had only 2 players under 30 in the staring line-up, and Ricky Kaka' was one of them. The other one was Flamini. Ricky himself couple of times said that this squad has to rejuvenated.
Now we have to build a new team around 30 years old Pirlo, 31 years old Gattuso, 33 years old Seedorf and so on instead of the 27 years old Ricardo Kaka'...:confused::stupid:
Well said, but honestly, we know nothing of what goes on in the head offices of Milan. The problem is, apart from a few stars, most of our players have little resale value on the market, so to get money, we have to sell our stars! But that comes back to the original question: How did we lose so much? It is not just taxes, surely!
Perhaps Galliani is stealing money behind our backs?:hammer:
devoted_dm
13-06-2009, 10:35
Well said, but honestly, we know nothing of what goes on in the head offices of Milan. The problem is, apart from a few stars, most of our players have little resale value on the market, so to get money, we have to sell our stars! But that comes back to the original question: How did we lose so much? It is not just taxes, surely!
Perhaps Galliani is stealing money behind our backs?:hammer:
I don't know that much about business, but I would think that there are several reasons why we're losing money.
1. We pay higher wages than any other Serie A club
2. We are trying to compete with other big European clubs, but we don't own our own stadium and we don't have the same kind of TV deals as the other big clubs (I guess Lega Calcio is to blame?)
3. Taxation is another issue, but it's not quite as bad as Galliani would have us believe, I think.
4. Italian clubs just aren't as popular worldwide as Spanish and English clubs. The Serie A is difficult to market abroad, due to its reputation for being boring, corrupt and full of cheating players, not to mention crowd violence and ancient stadiums.
Milan is sort of a different story, due to our European successes and a big and beautiful (though old) stadium, but we're still something of an acquired taste for the average, likes-to-watch-a-game-in-the-weekend football fan, I think. We're definitely feared and respected, but our international fan base doesn't compare to that of Real Madrid and Man Utd.
ACMILAN1983
13-06-2009, 15:53
well apparently Maldini is about to join the back room staff at chelsea.
so a definitive no.
how can we lose paolo?
I think that's rubbish tbh. Maldini himself said that he doesn't intend to ever work for any other club. I think Milan will offer him a role eventually, but right now I'd like to believe the management are busy tackling more pressing matters.
I don't think it's possible to judge if we're heading in the right direction or not. Certainly if we're to judge based on what's happened in recent weeks, then it paints a bleak picture. However, there are signs to suggest there is work going on with transfer targets like Dzeko or Hernanes.
I think we'll have a clearer picture in the next couple of months as to where we're headed.
I don't know that much about business, but I would think that there are several reasons why we're losing money.
1. We pay higher wages than any other Serie A club
2. We are trying to compete with other big European clubs, but we don't own our own stadium and we don't have the same kind of TV deals as the other big clubs (I guess Lega Calcio is to blame?)
3. Taxation is another issue, but it's not quite as bad as Galliani would have us believe, I think.
4. Italian clubs just aren't as popular worldwide as Spanish and English clubs. The Serie A is difficult to market abroad, due to its reputation for being boring, corrupt and full of cheating players, not to mention crowd violence and ancient stadiums.
Milan is sort of a different story, due to our European successes and a big and beautiful (though old) stadium, but we're still something of an acquired taste for the average, likes-to-watch-a-game-in-the-weekend football fan, I think. We're definitely feared and respected, but our international fan base doesn't compare to that of Real Madrid and Man Utd.
Quite honestly, i am confused that Galliani continues to moan about Italian club's taxes and expenses comapred to other leagues. Obviously, this is decided by the country's government, in which Berlusconi is the head of! Stop moaning to us fans, and whinge to the BLOODY PM/ PRESIDENT OF MILAN for god's sake!:angf:
I think that's rubbish tbh. Maldini himself said that he doesn't intend to ever work for any other club. I think Milan will offer him a role eventually, but right now I'd like to believe the management are busy tackling more pressing matters.
I don't think it's possible to judge if we're heading in the right direction or not. Certainly if we're to judge based on what's happened in recent weeks, then it paints a bleak picture. However, there are signs to suggest there is work going on with transfer targets like Dzeko or Hernanes.
I think we'll have a clearer picture in the next couple of months as to where we're headed.
Really love to see Maldini take a low key job at Milan. Being manager would be a bit over the top and far too hasty! Maybe start as defense coach, and see how it goes from there. :googly:
ACMILAN1983
14-06-2009, 02:45
Really love to see Maldini take a low key job at Milan. Being manager would be a bit over the top and far too hasty! Maybe start as defense coach, and see how it goes from there. :googly:
It's more likely Maldini will go into managerial roles (not manager of the team, but as a manager/director in the club) than coaching.
It's more likely Maldini will go into managerial roles (not manager of the team, but as a manager/director in the club) than coaching.
Even as a club mentor would be fantastic. His composure and years of experience would work wonders for any players having doubts at our club.
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