Winter Mercato

It baffles me that Milan are dragging their feet this summer... All European leagues are complete with the exception of La Liga. What are Milan waiting for? At this point we have not made a signing while several teams are proactive in their processes already.

Eto'o, Ronaldinho as targets. Fine, I get it, we await till their season ends. But lets not allow good players on the market to slip. Emerson is going to be a great signing, but a solid central defender is needed to accompany Nesta! We can't forget that Nesta can be injury prone and Maldini is almost ready to hang up the boots and has lost a step (Saddens me to say since he's been an idol to many growing up). When reports circulated on Terry and Cannavaro a smile came to my face. No matter what, defense wins championships. Italy '06....Until the final, they allowed 1 goal and guess who scored, Zaccardo.

My advice to Milan, let's get a move on it as we may see a lot of target dwindle away. We can't have another poor summer transfer market.

Forza Rossoneri!!

Couldn't have said it better myself!!!!!

Relax man, everybody wants to come to Milan. Remeber last year? No player could distance themselves enough from Milan!! Year later, we are CL champions and everybody wants us! I believe we'll get the signings we need but in all honesty I'm very much concerned that we aren't adressing our LB issues. I'm not at all satisfied with Janku, he's simply not that good in my opinion. He had several good games and all of a sudden he is a starter. Please, next time you watch a Milan game just watch his movements. He's great at going up and providing the cross but when it comes to actual defending, he's mediocre at best. Other than Oddo, the rest of our defence is also a mess!! Nesta is spectacular when healthy but as of late it seems like he's always injured. ag2765, you're right about Maldini. He's been my hero ever since I've been watching Milan and unfortunately he isn't as reliable anymore. This is also his last year in all probability. In my opinion, Milan has a very weak back-line and it should definitely be adressed with several signings this summer. 2 excellent CB's and 1 excellent LB. A good goalkeeper would also be great

Did you hear Chivu wants to come to Milan That could be a start to solving our back-line woes

Who said that about Chivu? Where did you see it ?

Originally Posted by Baresi

In my opinion, Milan has a very weak back-line and it should definitely be adressed with several signings this summer.

why don't you go and see which one of our defender is frequently selected in Serie A team of the week last season? You have no idea? let me remind you, its bonera who week in week out is consistently nominated as one of the best in defense. He lost his place to nesta and maldini in the later part of the season and in UCL but i have no doubt he is an absolute talent we have on hand. I don't see how buying another talent to dump on the bench will help. Kala is also a good defender but he doesn't get to play. Simic does pretty decent when called upon. We have enough defenders, the problem lie in them not gettng enough games. When they get to play, they play well but the fans soon forget them when they don't get to play and then ask for new players. We need to start letting people like bonera have more games and start more often rather than just a backup for nesta and maldini. Even if we get chivu and mexes, we will dump them on the bench to rot while playing with nesta and maldini.

Chivu isn't in the same class as kaladze, who should be 1st choice when Maldini is unfit, as he's better than Bonera also. I think some people look at names b4 football.

Originally Posted by mrki

Who said that about Chivu? Where did you see it ?

In his dreams ...

I don't know why people are so desperate to get a new starting central defender. We may need a couple of replacements to fill Costacurta's place and possibly Simic's should he leave, but on the whole we're not in a bad position for defenders.

I'll start with Maldini, who people have been doubting again. Now, take away the Inter match and Liverpool match (in which he wasn't playing well, but didn't make any major errors), both of which he played in poor shape, and he was our most consistent defender this past year, as well as the one who drove forward when the team was struggling in the first half of the year. As long as he's not being asked to play more than 1 match a week and has a proper preseason to prepare (after recovering from his operation), I'm sure he'll be ok next season. As for his knee problems, if I'm correct his previous knee problem which he had an operation on a year ago was not the same knee that he's got to have an operation on this year, so the hope is that after this operation, he'll be in better condition next season (though that won't mean he can play too regularly).

Bonera was the biggest surprise for us this season, as he stepped up to provide a solid alternative to Nesta. He has the potential to be a rock in the backline, but currently lacks the experience in more high pressure games, though in saying that he was still one of the best defenders in Italy for much of the season. However, should Nesta or Maldini need a rest, he is a more than capable defender to come in for most matches.

Finally, we have Kaladze. Yes, he's had his injury problems, but at the same time, we know he is able to do an excellent job in the backline, stepping up for big matches (Man U being a prime example this season). He's a fantastic alternative to have in our backline to step in for Maldini.

We have some real quality players in our backline, and next season we'll have a proper preseason preparation to get them in the right condition to last the season, which will heavily reduce injury concerns.

I do want a new world class defender, but a LB, not CB.

Why are you trying to exclude the young part of Henry after you try to tell me how good were Henry when he were young talking about things like FrenchNT?

Don´t try to blame my english that by the way, I know isn´t good, just to try to hide your contradiction, it´s too bad

Contradiction? lol, International football is different to club football and wouldnt really matter to Milan, thats why i dont consider it as important an issue. Most games are friendlies that big sides treat as irrelevant, as a Brazilian you should know that more than most!

As for Henry's performance in games that matter, i already mentioned he top scored for France in 98 as a 20 year old, he also was joint top scorer with Zidane at the last world cup, though 2 of Zidanes goals were penalties....Henry also put out your side, which maybe explains your loathing of him. Overall he has nearly 40 international goals at a rate of roughly 1 in 2, which is fine by any international standards, and perfectly acceptable compared to Owen, RvN, Pippo, Sheva, Raul and any other European contemparies.

Henry is so far to be capable as Kaká and Totti in any attack positions and by the way, you have to watch more Roma's matches because Totti proved this season that even playing as a striker, he is one of the best players in the world and almost won the golden boot

If Totti is so versatile though why is his international record 9 goals in 59? If you want to make a point like that you've got to stick to the criteria you judge Henry on....

The difference between Henry and Zidane is that Zizou have courage, he calls the responsibility, he pass the spirit of victory to him mates no matter how competition he is playing

Henry make a thousand goals in EPL and play like a girl when he is in competitions like World Cup and Champions League

It´s not about age, not about skill, it´s about the spirit inside the player

That sounds a lot like MzK's arguments

If you want a fighter and skill is irrelevent then why arent you recommending Alan Smith?

And i bet there are a lot of players who wish they could play likes girls if Henry is an example of what they can do in the CL and International games. Henry has 44 goals in 77 CL matches, which is as good a rate as anyone except RvN. Its even a better rate than Sheva, and for a worse side too.

I know it´s hard to you understand it when the players of national team of your country even hide against teams like Brasil (in all history) or Portugal (in recent history) and english people still thinking that have the best football and players of the world but if you compare Zidane's and Henry's way to play you will see a huge difference, if don´t, so you will need more help than I think you need

A rather pointless and cheap shot, perhaps a sign of a weak argument?

Maybe if your national team wasnt hiding against France (in recent history) you would have noticed Henry putting you out last summer

Originally Posted by ACMILAN1983

\

I'll start with Maldini, who people have been doubting again. Now, take away the Inter match and Liverpool match (in which he wasn't playing well, but didn't make any major errors), both of which he played in poor shape, and he was our most consistent defender this past year, as well as the one who drove forward when the team was struggling in the first half of the year. As long as he's not being asked to play more than 1 match a week and has a proper preseason to prepare (after recovering from his operation), I'm sure he'll be ok next season. As for his knee problems, if I'm correct his previous knee problem which he had an operation on a year ago was not the same knee that he's got to have an operation on this year, so the hope is that after this operation, he'll be in better condition next season (though that won't mean he can play too regularly).

.

Its not that we doubt Maldini,every single MIlan fan knows what he means to us!!!! however, The most important thing about the defenses is that they need to play together constantly.... And if Maldini can play one game a week that means that he can play either in CL or Serie A,bot not both!!!! That means that nesta if available should play with both Bonera and Maldini in a week, and thats not the best thing to do, as the communication will be week IMO, May not be as problem for nesta and Maldini,as they are more experenced but for sure it will be a problem for bonera if his not playing constantly,

If we go back, will see that Bonera when he was playing occasionally as a sub for the both Maldini and Nesta(at the beginning of the season) he was playing poorly,We were all doubting his quality....but than nesta got injured and he started to play every game.....and boom,His our guy now....his was the man that was called the best young Italian defender!!!!!!!

FOr all the players its important to play constantly, but for the back four its essential to play together for a longer period...(see, Canna,Samuel an Thuram ) when they changed partner they underperformed)

I love Maldini,and I know that his still one of the best 5 in the world, but if he not he cant play more than 1 game a week that we need another defender or just give a chance to bonera!!!!!!!! That is if we are going after all the Titles available to us!!!

i agree, i think bonera was one of our best signings last summer! he just needs a bit more expierence playing with nesta then he will be fine!

Just read if Real win la liga, barca might have a clear out. Eto is rumoured to be worth £20 mill and milan might try and get zambrotta included in the deal. (channel4)

Originally Posted by Stezagud

Contradiction? lol, International football is different to club football and wouldnt really matter to Milan, thats why i dont consider it as important an issue. Most games are friendlies that big sides treat as irrelevant, as a Brazilian you should know that more than most!

As for Henry's performance in games that matter, i already mentioned he top scored for France in 98 as a 20 year old, he also was joint top scorer with Zidane at the last world cup, though 2 of Zidanes goals were penalties....Henry also put out your side, which maybe explains your loathing of him. Overall he has nearly 40 international goals at a rate of roughly 1 in 2, which is fine by any international standards, and perfectly acceptable compared to Owen, RvN, Pippo, Sheva, Raul and any other European contemparies.



If Totti is so versatile though why is his international record 9 goals in 59? If you want to make a point like that you've got to stick to the criteria you judge Henry on....



That sounds a lot like MzK's arguments

If you want a fighter and skill is irrelevent then why arent you recommending Alan Smith?

And i bet there are a lot of players who wish they could play likes girls if Henry is an example of what they can do in the CL and International games. Henry has 44 goals in 77 CL matches, which is as good a rate as anyone except RvN. Its even a better rate than Sheva, and for a worse side too.



A rather pointless and cheap shot, perhaps a sign of a weak argument?

Maybe if your national team wasnt hiding against France (in recent history) you would have noticed Henry putting you out last summer

Numbers, numbers, tipical point used by people who don´t know nothing about football as you

And please, don´t put Owen beside Shevchenko, Nistelrooy and Pippo, don´t kill the football

You are talking so many that I wouldn´t be surprise if you started to say that Mista, Fernando Torres and Josemari are amazing forwards because they already did more than 15 goals in one season at spanish league

I don´t mind about number, marketing, prizes and that kind of stuff, I make my own opinion based in what I watch in the games

If I don´t like Henry because he made a goal against Brasil in World Cup, what´s the point about me talking lot of nice things about Zidane, a player that for sure ruined BrazilNT for 2 important times?

You are so pointless

Totti is a amazing and versatile player but you would never recognize how good is this italian player cause he doesn´t play at Spice Girls League ("the best league of the world) or Milan, Inter and Juve

Totti loves Roma and don´t hide himself of important games, him team make him marketing weaky and robots of numbers and marketing will never understand how can a player like Totti be good

Henry have 44 goals in CL matches? Wow, numbers again! I'm so surprised!

Funny because I almost never watch Arsenal going far in UCL, neither when Arsenal were champion of EPL without a lose, that´s so weird!

I prefer players as Kuyt and Inzaghi that aren´t so skilled but fight till the end and never give up than girls like Henry and Ronaldinho

But keep not understanding it, it´s even good to scenes like Garrincha making the english players falling with their butts on the grass

I don´t wanna change the thoughts of the people in a country that in the 5 times that Brasil won World Cup, 3 of them was ruining England

2 men put Brasil out of last World Cup: Parreira and Zidane

Want a new sign? So: Thank you to have this kind of thought, the National Team of my country is so glad! When you turn into a manager, make team with players like Reyes, Robinho, Henry, etc

Milan will be glad to score 3 goals or more on your "dream team" in a Champions League match

Originally Posted by kastriot

Its not that we doubt Maldini,every single MIlan fan knows what he means to us!!!! however, The most important thing about the defenses is that they need to play together constantly.... And if Maldini can play one game a week that means that he can play either in CL or Serie A,bot not both!!!! That means that nesta if available should play with both Bonera and Maldini in a week, and thats not the best thing to do, as the communication will be week IMO, May not be as problem for nesta and Maldini,as they are more experenced but for sure it will be a problem for bonera if his not playing constantly,

If we go back, will see that Bonera when he was playing occasionally as a sub for the both Maldini and Nesta(at the beginning of the season) he was playing poorly,We were all doubting his quality....but than nesta got injured and he started to play every game.....and boom,His our guy now....his was the man that was called the best young Italian defender!!!!!!!

FOr all the players its important to play constantly, but for the back four its essential to play together for a longer period...(see, Canna,Samuel an Thuram ) when they changed partner they underperformed)

I love Maldini,and I know that his still one of the best 5 in the world, but if he not he cant play more than 1 game a week that we need another defender or just give a chance to bonera!!!!!!!! That is if we are going after all the Titles available to us!!!

I agree that defences need consistency to be able to play together with a sound understanding. I also agree that Maldini and Nesta have an amazing understanding when playing together, and so even if they don't play every match together, they won't have trouble playing with each other.

Finally, I also agree with Bonera being the player that needs to play regularly to develop that understanding. Actually, with Maldini he's already very good, and doesn't seem to have a problem even with a lot of chopping and changing. But with Nesta and Kaladze, he's still not developed a brilliant partnership.

But the problem with this is Kaladze. Kala is most likely to be higher in the squad than Bonera. He's got an excellent understanding with Nesta with whom he can slot into the side with without a problem, and has played at the highest level in many big games.

If Maldini is changing on a regular basis, my bet would be we'd see a Nesta-Kala partnership, rather than Nesta-Bonera. On that note, I really don't feel too worried with a little change every so often.

Maybe when La Liga finishes, we'll just sign Emerson, Eto'o and Zambrotta and then we can say we have the best squad in the world for sure. That would be some good mercato business...