Winter Mercato

maybe, but are we going to solve our problems in attack with this guy? I dont think so....

I have been asking myself some questions over the last few days and even debating it with my brother as to why we seem incompetent in the transfer market. I believe that Berlusconi does care for Milan, but I truly believe that he uses Milan as a marketing and PR ploy, and brings on people with that same mindset. After the 2005 loss to Liverpool, we heard he was going to buy Gerrard and God knows who else. Last year, it was the same stuff, which was accentuated after Sheva's departure. Galliani and Braida subscribe to the same way of thinking. Fiorentina was initially banished to B but Della Valle bought Pazzani, Montolivo, Mutu, Blasi, and Liverani. Juve in B kept a good number of its core players and added Bojinov and Boumsong (not world class, but shows willingness to come back to A). We didn't do anything, yet it was I believe Aug 2nd that UEFA allowed us to partake in champions, so we had 3-4 weeks to buy players. We then used the excuse of needing to qualify to buy world class players, instead of getting oddo, a central d, another mid, and 2 fwds. We could have gotten all that for 40 mill euros. Remember after we qualified, Galliani very publicly said that he and Braida were going to Madrid to get Ronaldo. I view this as a marketing ploy. Why say anything, just go and do it. They didn't say anything before getting seedorf, pirlo, kaka, nesta, and sheva. It was done with stealth precision. Recently, Galliani again goes out in the media to say that Braida will be in South America for 2 weeks to look at players. Wouldn't this raise suspicion with other teams to wrap up deals with players??? Every day we hear a new name. I think we may have been interested in Gago and Marcelo, but it was too late. Real already had them wrapped up. It was the same with Diarra of Lyon this summer. We made a half-ass effort to get him, knowing full well that he was going to real. Go out there and scout players, identify who can be good, and take the risk and buy them. Fans are not stupid, they will turn on management if they keep on crying wolf. Ancelotti may or may not be at fault, but consider that he is the 3rd most successful coach behind Sacchi and Capello. Just look at who is at his disposal right now. Not bad players by any stretch of the imagination, but not a squad ready to compete in europe and domestically.

Originally Posted by kris

Yeah, we really never had any good players in Milan. they are a constant failure.

Kris you tease they havent been a constant failure...im only talking about the last 3 years of the Ancelloti era... par exemple...Look at the few seasons

Good signings

Kaka- the deal went through after Real showed interest, Leonardo himself was involved in bringing him to Milan.. i doubt braida could have done it alone

Gilardino- the deal only went through because we told parma that we wouldnt sign him after the deadline.. because time was running out..

Stam- we should have got him earlier? good signing...

Gourcuff- Young, promising.. should start more really...

OK signings but didnt get trusted from Ancelloti

Vogels- a freebie but a not bad freebie..
Dhorasoo- another freebie .... not a bad player, but made me wonder where he fitted in the side?
Bonera - we paided peanuts, being played in the wrong position. rumours of him going to Fiorentina.. if we do let him go, we should try and put him into a deal for Barzagli.....

Bad signings

Oliviera - just what we didnt need, we needed a player to come in quick, settle and start to score goals, we lost a good backup for pirlo which we really need at the moment... Not enough thought was put into the transfer... Everyone cant deny the only reason we got him was to get a go at Ronaldinho, unless he starts scoring Belusconi's dream is going to cost us big time

Vieri - Bad signing, finished player.. Well he scored more than Oliviera has.. another freebie
Amoruso- what were they doing? squad player, not even a starter...a player we paid peanuts for..
Favalli- another one of the freebies

Nice thread Ramos23, im glad someone else is on the same line... Im worried now that because we need so many players in the summer, our management is going to make a big hash of it, and start running arround like a headless chickens.

we have a core that we should keep and that includes: Kaka, Pirlo, Gourcuff, Gattuso, Nesta, Seedorf, Gila, and Kaladze. Oliveira didn't have a bad game against roma and I think with time, he can be valuable, but at Milan, he should be 3rd or 4th fwd. Now don't get me wrong, this core is far from perfect, Gattuso is running out of gas, Nesta seems disinterested, Pirlo will always be a defensive liability, etc.. but these are players that can still be useful and good. Maldini and Costacurta are 2 giants and 2 legends and it's great that they are still there at their age, but as commendable as it is, it is also a hindrance because we can't kick them out, obviously for sentimental reasons. Having said that, we need 2-3 players in January, and another 3-4 solid ones come summer. We need to rebuild gradually but swiftly. It's the only way that will not waste time. we need to be realistic as to the players we have and not mount the fake bravado. Since Pirlo is still young (27), and he has talent, maybe we need to change the formation to a 3-5-2 or 3-4-1-2, and have 3 horses in the back, along with a defensive mid playing right next to pirlo, allowing him to mainly focus on offense. With a 3 man defence the width would not come from the full-backs but from the wingers, so we could then get a ribery or even a robben to add pace and width. I would recommend you guys to check out www.soccernet.com. They have a good article about our problems right now. We could bring in the best defenders in the world, but we would still have defensive problems because pirlo is weak at tracking back and pressing. If he is to stay in the team, then in a way, we need to build around him, not because he's the best (Kaka is) but because otherwise, our problems will ressurface more often than we would care to deal with.

The softly softly approach isn't the best process all the time Dev. Looking at players carefully and checking them out time and time again works sometimes, but when you are under pressure you need to act faster.

I really wonder how much Ronaldinho has changed from his days of playing Brazil or even his psg days to how he plays the game now. Not much i bet. The dribbles and step overs and i bet the majority of his game are still the same. My point being there were 2 opportunities so get Ronaldinho before he moved to Barca, 2 chances to get him cheap and relatively cheap compared to how much he'd be now. If you don't take risks you'll end paying for it in the long run.

I know pretty much every player is hyped in South America, it's how these clubs survive, but these 4 players, possibly 5 if you add Kerlon, are surely worth taking a risk on don't you think? Take Marcelo, how much did he go for? £5 million, what's that in terms of an investment? Hardly anything. Naturally you wouldn't take such risk on every player, but on someone like Marcelo, Braida should have been in there like a shot and we should have been had a deal done and dusted before Real waltzed in. You can't be cautious over everything, if you do you'll end up with some second rate players or end up paying through the nose for talent you missed the first time around.

The EU spots is a problem, but you can always loan them back to their South American clubs until the summer when the club can have a good think about who to release. At least that way they'd have secured a promising future player rather than doing nothing about it.

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

The softly softly approach isn't the best process all the time Dev. Looking at players carefully and checking them out time and time again works sometimes, but when you are under pressure you need to act faster.

I really wonder how much Ronaldinho has changed from his days of playing Brazil or even his psg days to how he plays the game now. Not much i bet. The dribbles and step overs and i bet the majority of his game are still the same. My point being there were 2 opportunities so get Ronaldinho before he moved to Barca, 2 chances to get him cheap and relatively cheap compared to how much he'd be now. If you don't take risks you'll end paying for it in the long run.

I know pretty much every player is hyped in South America, it's how these clubs survive, but these 4 players, possibly 5 if you add Kerlon, are surely worth taking a risk on don't you think? Take Marcelo, how much did he go for? £5 million, what's that in terms of an investment? Hardly anything. Naturally you wouldn't take such risk on every player, but on someone like Marcelo, Braida should have been in there like a shot and we should have been had a deal done and dusted before Real waltzed in. You can't be cautious over everything, if you do you'll end up with some second rate players or end up paying through the nose for talent you missed the first time around.

The EU spots is a problem, but you can always loan them back to their South American clubs until the summer when the club can have a good think about who to release. At least that way they'd have secured a promising future player rather than doing nothing about it.

Perfect, Jim
Even with the EU spots problem, talents like Marcelo, Kerlon, Arouca, Lucas for just 5, 6 or 7 millions is a win/win purchase. We are talking about young players, but also youngsters that are playing regular as startes(Kerlon had his first start past week), being used to the pression for to perform. Some are also in the race for MVP of brazilian league(Lucas),and some of them reaching Brazil NT.

As you said, we are not obliged to bring all...we can loan some of this players to above average teams, and leave them developing, and get used to european football. Some time ago, the prices are very high. But to see Real purchasng a talent like Marcelo for only 5 or 6 millions is disappointing. If the Lucas case is real, and we are losing him for just one million...

What makes me mad, is that we are not competing w/ Chelsea and its crazy bids, but we are losing players that would go to cost only 5 millions.
Right now, the cost of this players:
Lucas: 8 or 9 mil
Arouca: 4 or 5 mil
Kerlon: 6 mil

Unfortunately we cant make a non EU purchase even if we wanted to. Oliveira was a NON eu transfer, thats what 1 of the directors said in a article, in the Sheva to Milan rumours. Luckily Lucas has an Italian password. 6 million euros, no problem.
As for Ilsinho and Kerlon, wed have to wait till next season.
Considering Milan allegedly has a 100 million pounds to spend they dont exactly have a great shortlisted players: BIanchi, Rigano, Felipe, Rinaudo etc are all very average. I still believe Huntelaar should be brought NOW even if he is cup tied and I cant even believe we werent even linked to him not even in Tribal.
As for Higuain I dont see why hed want to choose Milan over Madrid. If he moves to spain he already speaks spanish but here hed have to learn the culture and language.

I guess this is where scouting comes into the picture. As pissed off as I am for missing out on Marcelo, we have to realize that the MAJORITY of over-hyped youngsters do not make it big in Europe. This is where our scouts have to do their jobs. They got to pick the ones that they think will fit into our team and make an impact. Otherwise we dont only waste money, but also time.

Take for example, Kaka. He was a great prospect and we rightly made a move to get him. It's certainly paid dividends. Now look at Robinho. Also a great prospect. Real paid an enourmous sum for him last year. What has he done? His impact at Real is next to nothing compared to Kaka's impact at Milan. And Real paid what, 5 or 6 times what we paid for Kaka. Another example is Diego. Great prospect. But we can all see, at least for now, that he is not Milan class (not in the starting 11 at least). He may be good enough for Bremen or Porto, but not for Milan.

Now how's one to know which player would turn out to be a superstar and which a dud? Who knows? Maybe Ilsinho (now rated below Marcelo) may turn out to be a fantastic player and Marcelo may be languishing in the sidelines. There are no guarantees. I just hope the Milan scouts get it right.

It's been a constructive opinions we have so far. great posting

Great post rt9, I agree with u on that. It's about getting that SPECIAL talent that could mould into Milan colours. IS our scout team not being active in finding a gem or just there aren't Milan material around? Your answer is as good as mine(we don't really know). But I believe we are taking a step back and it's showing but I hope Milan will do all they could to please the fans when the transfer window open.

Hopefull we can have a new generation of MVB, Baresi,Weah,Savicevic,boban.

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

The softly softly approach isn't the best process all the time Dev. Looking at players carefully and checking them out time and time again works sometimes, but when you are under pressure you need to act faster.

I really wonder how much Ronaldinho has changed from his days of playing Brazil or even his psg days to how he plays the game now. Not much i bet. The dribbles and step overs and i bet the majority of his game are still the same. My point being there were 2 opportunities so get Ronaldinho before he moved to Barca, 2 chances to get him cheap and relatively cheap compared to how much he'd be now. If you don't take risks you'll end paying for it in the long run.

I know pretty much every player is hyped in South America, it's how these clubs survive, but these 4 players, possibly 5 if you add Kerlon, are surely worth taking a risk on don't you think? Take Marcelo, how much did he go for? £5 million, what's that in terms of an investment? Hardly anything. Naturally you wouldn't take such risk on every player, but on someone like Marcelo, Braida should have been in there like a shot and we should have been had a deal done and dusted before Real waltzed in. You can't be cautious over everything, if you do you'll end up with some second rate players or end up paying through the nose for talent you missed the first time around.

The EU spots is a problem, but you can always loan them back to their South American clubs until the summer when the club can have a good think about who to release. At least that way they'd have secured a promising future player rather than doing nothing about it.

I know the soft approach isn't always the best, and don't get me wrong, I'm not exactly pleased with our seemingly constant hesitation. I just meant that I understand why they're hestitating.

Of the four of five players being talked about, we really need to consider which we need the most. Honestly, I think the RB position right now is argubly the most critical, because we're simply getting no width down the right. In the past we'd play Cafu who'd provide great width down the right and then even if we were to play a defensive LB, we'd always have Seedorf who drifts out to the left touchline a lot. Right now we get some width down the left (with Seedorf or Jankulovski when they decided to perform) and have almost nothing down the right, seeing as we had Cafu before but he seems to have just lost it now. Considering this, players like Marcelo, Gago and Higuain would be a nice addition (assuming they'll succeed) but aren't likely to really have great influnce on our current problems.

Originally Posted by Graeme C

about signings

Reminder: Amoroso, Jankulovski and Cafu.

How we will we know if we have a new generation of MVB, Baresi, Weah, Savicevic and bobans if we never take risks or even calculated risks on these players?

To me it doesn't matter where these players play, if they have the possibility of becoming great future players, then getting them is a better option than just letting them slip through our fingers without even trying.

Guys i saw yesterday the friendly France-Greece.
I was ineteresting more to see malouda,abidal, and ribery!

Malouda played very good.He done everything on the field yesterday,crossings,dribling,runs,shoots,good passes.....he was very good!
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Abidal played 1 half(the first).And he was great!He played very very good.He is great at defence,on air,nice passes,nice crossings,and he has great natural fitness,stamina,and strength!
For me Abidal is the best LB for milan!This guy is just great!For me he is better of Zambrotta!
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Ribery didn't play yesterday!I don't know why!
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and some good news guys!
From:http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=18436



Nesta committed to AC Milan
tribalfooball.com - November 16, 2006

Alessandro Nesta has declared his commitment to AC Milan.
"I am happy here and so is my family," he told Milan Channel. "I've never spoken about this, just leaving the newspapers to say what they wanted to. The rumours I want to leave are completely untrue."

The 30-year-old has been on disappointing form this season and his contract is set to expire in 2008, prompting reports he is looking for a return to hometown club Lazio.

"We are talking to the club, just as other Rossoneri players have, before signing a new contract. This is why I think we'll stay here."

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So nesta is staying to us!So if we sign a great DC, Abidal as a DL, and a good RB like oddo,ilsinho,Alexis, we would had a great defence!

From:http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...ia/nov16f.html



Amelia eyes Milan move Thursday 16 November, 2006

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Livorno goalkeeper Marco Amelia has revealed that he is hoping to join Milan in January.

The Italian International is keen to leave the Tuscan minnows, with the San Siro his preferred destination as the Rossoneri No 1 Nelson Dida is yet to extend his deal with the Via Turati club.

“I would like to move to Milan – I think this is normal because we are talking about one of the strongest clubs in the world,” said Amelia.

“I am flattered that my name is being associated with the Rossoneri. The transfer window will reopen in January and anyone interested in my services will have to speak to Livorno.

“I like it in Livorno, but I don’t think a side that is fourth and in good form can be criticised by its President,” he added, referring to Aldo Spinelli, who has repeatedly lambasted Coach Daniele Arrigoni for his tactical choices.

“If there will be an opportunity to leave, I hope I will not miss it,” concluded the former Roma man.