January Options

Could we have a poll for this please?

Poll Option
========

a) Buying a striker/forward (Gilardino/Torres/Tevez)
b) Buying Maniche


The Gilardino/Torres/Tevez thread has shown the results to be highly in favour of the Milan fans preferring the Bull-Terrier Tevez over Gila or Torres for the Winter Transfer window. Recently the Portuguese B2B midfield player MANICHE has been linked with us. Lots of players are linked with us so we really don't know who is really coming as Fester keeps denying everything


So for our team with two options now:

Option A
======

--->> Gila / Torres / Tevez

Reports continually link us with him. Crespo has been brought here on loan so it is likely he will return in any case. Now with the Mutu saga taking place Chelsea will be short of a striker and might require his services again or maybe shop for a new striker. It depends on the situation.

------------------Dida---------------------
-
--Cafu-----Nesta-----Stam--------Maldini--
-
------------------Pirlo---------------------
-
------Gattuso---------------Seedorf-------
-
------------------Kaka--------------------
-
----------Gilardino------Shevchenko-------

I expect this to be our long term line-up more or less with the acquisition of Gilardino.

Pros
===

1. We get an already settled striker. He is not coming from a different league.

2. We get a good striking duo.

3. Gilardino is young so he can play for us for a good number of years.

4. His goal scoring ability will increase as he will receive arguably better service.

Cons
====

1. Shevchenko will have to play off Gilardino. A position where I think he is not best utilized. He is the most lethal as a striker IMO.

2. We don't know whether Gilardino and Shevchenko will work as a duo. One thing is clear and that is Shevchenko is our primary striker and the game plan has to be to enable him to excel and do what he does best. He is our biggest goal scoring outlet.


Option B
======

--->> Maniche

There was a link to him. It is not known whether it was a serious link or just one of those links we see every fortnight. I have always been an advocate that Pirlo, Gattuso and Seedorf are our future. They are all young and work very well together so our midfield is settled. Buying Maniche and relegating him to the bench as a bit part player is not an ideal thing to do so how can we accommodate him into our system? After giving it some thought there does exist a solution that doesn't change our outlook.


------------------Dida---------------------
-
--Cafu-----Nesta-----Stam--------Maldini--
-
------------------Pirlo---------------------
-
------Gattuso---------------Maniche-------
-
----------------Seedorf--------------------
-
-------Shevchenko-------Kaka-------------


Pros
===

1. Maniche can play anywhere in the midfield without any problems except the trequartista spot.

2. Good offensively and defensively. Runs his socks off as well so Bayman will be happy.

3. Our midfield will add a running type player with increased work rate as Maniche has phenomenal work rate. We can arguably be more better in a counter attack situation.

4. Maniche is good at free kicks and also has a brilliant long range shot. Seedorf's OLD spot will not lose that much.

5. I have got the feeling that this season Seedorf is looking like a leader for us. He is leading our play and really looks like the person in charge of our offensive play. He is a changed more authoritative man for us which is brilliant. His free roaming ability will not be hampered if he is allowed to play in the hole as he can do all his stuff from there as well plus his shot is lethal with either foot. Comes in handy if he is more in a position to shoot.

6. Kaka moves into a forward position. A position I feel that is the best for him without a doubt. He scores more goals and his pace is better utilized for that slot. Shev plays as the striker which is where he is best! For me Kaka doesn't have the through pass like Rui hence he is not the classic playmaker type. He is LETHAL as a forward. Does the same for Brasil


Cons
====

1. Maniche may be Cup Tied. I don't know for sure.

2. Pinto Da Costa will juice out every single penny he can for Maniche.

3. Maniche is coming from a different league. Remains to be seen whether he will settle down properly. Personally I think he will have no problems because he is a very good player indeed.

4. Seedorf and Kaka get new positions. I don't think it is much of a change as Seedorf and Kaka will still be doing the same stuff. Its just that Kaka will have more freedom to go for the Kill and Seedorf won't have to look out for his left midfield spot that much.

5. Berlusconi wants TWO strikers to play for Milan. He may or may not reject it. He did also mention that whatever makes the team perform better is the way to go.

So what are your thoughts Milanisti? Which type of player do you prefer? A striker ala Gilardino or a midfield player (ONLY Maniche).

For me personally I would prefer Maniche and play the template I mentioned with him.

- Our team looks well balanced.
- It will get more pace (Kaka, Gattuso, Maniche, Sheva and Seedorf to an extent) and increased work rate
- Players playing in the positions where they are best utilized : Kaka, Shev and Seedorf.