Summer Mercato

Another wonderful summer in store for us it seems.

It will be a great season, we will have EIGHT strikers according to Galliani Fester: Pato, Sheva, Ronaldo, Inzaghi, Boriello, Paloschi, Kaka', Seedorf...

From which ONE is in condition to play 40-50 games per season - Pato, one will be injured all season - Ronaldo, one is 32 and will probably also be injured some part of the year - Sheva, one is 35! and will be injured for at least 4 months during the year - Pippo and one has no experience - Paloschi. Also, one of them is actually a midfielder - Kaka' and one of them is a CENTRAL midfielder and also 32 and not fit all the time - Seedorf!

So this is our plan, just so you know...

I remember that our Winter Mercato thread went up to 600 pages...

And we all knew what anti-climax ending Uncle Fester gave us...

I think they are planting the seed early... "we don't need a revolution" spheel... which means we'll probably only sign 2-3 players... and we can forget about Benzema, management going cheap again...

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

What's his work rate like? How fast is he? Can he put in a decent tackle?

He sounds like a versatile player who'd be a good addition to the squad. Abraão, where are you when i need some insider knowledge?

I´m back, my friend!!
Regarding T. Neves, I really don´t understand this Nedved comparission...Since you asked, his work rate is far from Nedved´s level...isn´t even fair to compare T. Neves with Nedved.

T. Neves is playing the best fotball of his young carrer(no doubt), but he´s more a AMD than a Nedved type of midfielder. IMO, in our squad and scheme, the only posistion that Tiago can play is the Kaká role.

Long time ago in this thread, I said that only one brazilian player could be groomed as a "new Seedorf", and that one was Anderson, now in M. United. Seedorf is a unique player(the old Seedorf, not this lazy and selfish that we see in these days) with his combination power and gret skills. Anderson as a formar LB and strong body, could be this player for us, but Alex Ferguson was more wise and fast and this future satr is now out of reach...

Back to T. Neves, while he´s tearing up here in Brazil, I still don´t have confidence that he´s worth to take or EU spot in our team. To be straight, IMO Tiago isn´t Milan material(while with Oddo, Favalli, Emerson, Gourcuf, Oliveira, Gilla...in these days, this term is at least suspect). Man, if I have to buy one player from this Fluminense team, it would be Arouca, no doubt. A complete and classic defensive MID that can also create for him and the team...a real "poor man Seedorf"...more defensive force and less skills...but more skilled than any of our DM but Pirlo...

Originally Posted by Brasileiro

I´m back, my friend!!
Regarding T. Neves, I really don´t understand this Nedved comparission...Since you asked, his work rate is far from Nedved´s level...isn´t even fair to compare T. Neves with Nedved.

T. Neves is playing the best fotball of his young carrer(no doubt), but he´s more a AMD than a Nedved type of midfielder. IMO, in our squad and scheme, the only posistion that Tiago can play is the Kaká role.

Long time ago in this thread, I said that only one brazilian player could be groomed as a "new Seedorf", and that one was Anderson, now in M. United. Seedorf is a unique player(the old Seedorf, not this lazy and selfish that we see in these days) with his combination power and gret skills. Anderson as a formar LB and strong body, could be this player for us, but Alex Ferguson was more wise and fast and this future satr is now out of reach...

Back to T. Neves, while he´s tearing up here in Brazil, I still don´t have confidence that he´s worth to take or EU spot in our team. To be straight, IMO Tiago isn´t Milan material(while with Oddo, Favalli, Emerson, Gourcuf, Oliveira, Gilla...in these days, this term is at least suspect). Man, if I have to buy one player from this Fluminense team, it would be Arouca, no doubt. A complete and classic defensive MID that can also create for him and the team...a real "poor man Seedorf"...more defensive force and less skills...but more skilled than any of our DM but Pirlo...

Off topic:

I manage AC Milan on my FIFA 08 PS2 game, and I bought that Arouca player, so he does play for AC Milan but on PS2

Back to the summer mercato: My way to revamp this team and bring back Scudetto and CL title.

- keeper:(I still have faith in Dida, but only if he´s at 100% of his physicals condition) and since no one can guarantee this anymore, we need a new great one):
Buffon would be a dream, but since it´s only this, I think the 3 Diegos(yes add Diego Cavalliery to that list) are worth a look. Frei and Amelia IMO are overrated, and Gomes(PSV) while would be my first choice is a non-EU...

RB and LB
- Daniel Alves(EU- Player): This guy is unbelievble. Last season he played ALL Sevilla games(suspension aside) without to lose a step. People wondering why a RB has such a high price...he´s isn´t a normal RB, Daniel is a playmaker at RB spot. And also for the ones asking for his defensive skills, remember that last season Juande Ramos gives Daniel an free role in Sevilla...but you just need to go 2 years ago...he played as a real RB, and was one of the few players to stop Ronaldinho Gaucho(the great one, and not his shadow)...Alves was also the MVP oe UEFA Cup and UEFA cup final...

- Zambrotta: A no brainer...but, I really hope that he doesn´t put "an Oddo" with Milan. He was bad at Barça, but I still have faith that a come back to Italy and Milan will revamp his career

CB
- Alex (Non-Euro spot): Yes, I still have faith My boy started the season slowly in Chelsea, but as the time goes on, he shows his qualities. It´s not easy to be a sub behind 2 legends of Chelsea(Carvalho and Terry) but even at that situation, Alex proves one more time why he´s a WC defender...this thread at a Unnoficial Chelsea forum shows more:
http://forums.cfcnet.co.uk/index.php...pic=33697&st=0
Alex -> arguably the best purchase of the year. Started with a couple of shaky games but in the end he made people wonder if we really want JT back in the squad!! (although JT set us straight, I have to say, with a superb comeback)
Alex is doing great at Chelsea(like in PSV and Santos), but the good news is that after months of great displays, he was droped of the starting 11 before the final against Totenham(sp?)to give J.Terry a starting place, and that really hurts Alex(and Ballack). Of course J. Terry is the captain, but that drop wasn´t fair, and shows for him that at Chelsea does not help to outplay Carvalho or Terry, because they have divine rights at Chelsea back.

- Some Italians squad defender like Bonera: Ferrari??

- MID
Pay the price to purchase Aquilani(sp?), period!!!!
- Flamini: While his behaviour at our 2 games against Arsenal was a shame, we REALLY needs some mids with speed and that can outrun people in the midfield...
- Keita(Sevilla): I don´t know if he´s a no-euro, but the guy is pure class!!! And also can cover and create his own chances...But if he is a non-Euro, sorry...a dominant and imposer defender like Alex is much more needed!

- FW
Luis Fabiano(EU-player):Some years ago we have greats debates here in MM about him or Gilardino...while I was very hapy when we brought Gila, Fabiano was my first choice. He would cost little and, is strong, can create his own shot and has a great feeeling with Kaká.

So...with this team: Carlo won Scudetto, Champions and Italia Cup

----------------------??? or Dida-------------------------

---Daniel Alves-------Nesta---------Alex-----Zambrota----

--------------------------Pirlo----------------------------

-------Gattuso if fit!!----------------Aquilani-------

--------------------------Kaká---------------------------

---------------Pato-----------------Luis Fabiano---------

Subsida or ???, Maldini(with this team he can play one more year)Bonera, Ferrari, Kaladze, Janku, Ambrosini, Flamini, Pozzi(Is he still a Milan player??), Seedorf, Inzaghi, Borriello...

With this team, 2008/09 would be a dream season

Originally Posted by Brasileiro

Long time ago in this thread, I said that only one brazilian player could be groomed as a "new Seedorf", and that one was Anderson, now in M. United. more skilled than any of our DM but Pirlo...

I agree with you. After watching him play with MU, Anderson is the most suitable replacement for Seedorf. He is an attacking midfielder with good defensive skills.

But he was too expensive as MU brought him to Manchester.

Originally Posted by Bosniaco

Off topic:

I manage AC Milan on my FIFA 08 PS2 game, and I bought that Arouca player, so he does play for AC Milan but on PS2

You´re a great manager, my friend!!

I'm a little surprised there's been no mention (he slipped my mind too) of Mario Gomez, the German International as a potential forward purchase for us. This guy fits the big (same height as Drogba) forward mould that we could use, with technique and the ability to hold up the ball and play in others, which at 23, seems an interesting player.

This season and last he's been tearing apart opponents in the German league and currently is top scorer and seen as the new striking hope of German football (compared to Bierhoff, though I'd say that's mostly due to both being big). To put this in perspective, Gomez (at mid table Stuttgart) is ahead of Toni as top goalscorer in the Bundesliga.

The only doubt is whether he can step up at an Internationally recognized club where pressure is greater, unlike Gila who until now hasn't done so. That said, he has scored 3 goals in 4 appearances in CL this season.

I heard he was linked to us, though I cannot provide a source (anyone know if there are rumours?)

Abraão, nice to see you back my friend. Did you have a nice birthday? I hope you did and had a nice Brazilian style party

I don't remember the player's name, but there's a young left-back in Brazil Chelsea & Real Madrid are allegedly battling for. Makes me wonder what has happened to Marcelo if Real are looking for yet another LB.

What do you think of Alex Silva (Luisiao's brother)? Have you heard anything about us apparently signing him already?

Originally Posted by Brasileiro

I´m back, my friend!!
Regarding T. Neves, I really don´t understand this Nedved comparission...Since you asked, his work rate is far from Nedved´s level...isn´t even fair to compare T. Neves with Nedved.

T. Neves is playing the best fotball of his young carrer(no doubt), but he´s more a AMD than a Nedved type of midfielder. IMO, in our squad and scheme, the only posistion that Tiago can play is the Kaká role.

Long time ago in this thread, I said that only one brazilian player could be groomed as a "new Seedorf", and that one was Anderson, now in M. United. Seedorf is a unique player(the old Seedorf, not this lazy and selfish that we see in these days) with his combination power and gret skills. Anderson as a formar LB and strong body, could be this player for us, but Alex Ferguson was more wise and fast and this future satr is now out of reach...

Back to T. Neves, while he´s tearing up here in Brazil, I still don´t have confidence that he´s worth to take or EU spot in our team. To be straight, IMO Tiago isn´t Milan material(while with Oddo, Favalli, Emerson, Gourcuf, Oliveira, Gilla...in these days, this term is at least suspect). Man, if I have to buy one player from this Fluminense team, it would be Arouca, no doubt. A complete and classic defensive MID that can also create for him and the team...a real "poor man Seedorf"...more defensive force and less skills...but more skilled than any of our DM but Pirlo...

Yeah, Thiago Neves plays in a completely different way to Nedved, the only thing in common between the two, and the reason for the nickname, are the long-range screamers. I know he would be a good signing, there's no doubt in my mind he is a good football player, but I would take a bunch of other AMs before him. We really need someone to take the pressure off Kaka and Seedorf, someone to play the AM role while we rest one of them, and to try and give them some competition. The best option would indeed be Anderson, but like you said he's now out of reach. If there is a brazilian AM we should get fot the job, I'd personally like to see Milan going for Renato Augusto, he's not as solid and established as Neves, but has a higher ceiling. It's true he is a bit overhyped tho. About Arouca, I agree that he is a very good and solid player, but we're already stacked with players for his position.

Edit: if I had to compare Neves with another player, it would probably be Alex of Fenerbahce, but the later being miles ahead of him.

Originally Posted by ACMILAN1983

I'm a little surprised there's been no mention (he slipped my mind too) of Mario Gomez, the German International as a potential forward purchase for us. This guy fits the big (same height as Drogba) forward mould that we could use, with technique and the ability to hold up the ball and play in others, which at 23, seems an interesting player.

This season and last he's been tearing apart opponents in the German league and currently is top scorer and seen as the new striking hope of German football (compared to Bierhoff, though I'd say that's mostly due to both being big). To put this in perspective, Gomez (at mid table Stuttgart) is ahead of Toni as top goalscorer in the Bundesliga.

The only doubt is whether he can step up at an Internationally recognized club where pressure is greater, unlike Gila who until now hasn't done so. That said, he has scored 3 goals in 4 appearances in CL this season.

I heard he was linked to us, though I cannot provide a source (anyone know if there are rumours?)

he would be good for Milan if we don't get any big signing. but i knew we were linked w/ him just a while ago when i saw it in goal.crap so i don't trust it that much

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

Abraão, nice to see you back my friend. Did you have a nice birthday? I hope you did and had a nice Brazilian style party

I don't remember the player's name, but there's a young left-back in Brazil Chelsea & Real Madrid are allegedly battling for. Makes me wonder what has happened to Marcelo if Real are looking for yet another LB.

What do you think of Alex Silva (Luisiao's brother)? Have you heard anything about us apparently signing him already?

Thanks, Jim!!!
Man, after almost 3 months in a bed recovering from a serius injure, not only my birthday, but also the Carnival had been great(and crazy)

Regarding this young left-back, I really did not hear nothing here in Brazil...can you give me a link or the name of the brazilian Club??? Since Marcelo, I can´t remember one LB worth a battling of 2 big clubs...
Marcelo is doing good for his first REAL season at Madrid. The club gave him permission to go to another club gain more experience, but the boy chose to stay and fight for space. And Marcelo gained Schuster confidence.

Of corurse, as a young lef-back, he has a lot to learn(most in defense).While Marcelo improved a lot in his defense, he still is atrocious in the aerial game...
BTW, Marcelo was instrumental in the last Real Madrid win and I really can´t see Real purchasing another young LB.

Yep, this Alex Silva rumour pop here out of nothing, saying that we already have signing him...but since the repercussion was small, I believe and hope this is just a rumour...and thinking about our way to buy(or try to) players here in Brazil, It´s even more strange.

I remember Braida came to Brazil to watch Alex (Chelsea) personally. Galliani was also seen in the stadium with Kaká´s father to watch Marcelo(Real Madrid) to play...Also with Pato, they go to Canada and came to Brazil to watch the boy personally. Kaká had Leonardo all over him for some time...while in this Alex Silva and Tiago Neves rumours, I can´t find nothing about a milan director here. I hope this is just the work of some agents trying to take a piece of our poor year and trying to hype his players.

Back to Alex Silva, Pirulito(his nickname) isn´t a bad defender, but no way he´s Milan material or worth a non-euro spot...at least with whats he shows until now. Alex wasn´t even the best defender at São Paulo(Miranda and Breno outplayed Alex by far). He´s tall, versatile(play also as a right-back) and is a threat in aerial game...but if I was at Milan officce, and stay away from him. IMO it would be a desesperate and wrong move...

Originally Posted by Kulspruta

Yeah, Thiago Neves plays in a completely different way to Nedved, the only thing in common between the two, and the reason for the nickname, are the long-range screamers. I know he would be a good signing, there's no doubt in my mind he is a good football player, but I would take a bunch of other AMs before him. We really need someone to take the pressure off Kaka and Seedorf, someone to play the AM role while we rest one of them, and to try and give them some competition. The best option would indeed be Anderson, but like you said he's now out of reach. If there is a brazilian AM we should get fot the job, I'd personally like to see Milan going for Renato Augusto, he's not as solid and established as Neves, but has a higher ceiling. It's true he is a bit overhyped tho. About Arouca, I agree that he is a very good and solid player, but we're already stacked with players for his position.

Edit: if I had to compare Neves with another player, it would probably be Alex of Fenerbahce, but the later being miles ahead of him.

Good post, Kulspruta...
When I said that Renato Augusto is overrated, it´s because some people here in Brazil think he´s the next Zico...the guy has potential, but still is a prospect...Lulinha, Kerlon and Renato Augusto(as you said) have a high ceiling, but until they show this in their respective first team(like Pato did at Internacional), I don´t think they are worth a big investiment.

Regarding Arouca, his no-EU condition is the problem. I agree we are stacked at his position, but besides Pirlo and the old-Seedorf , I trade Emerson, Brochi, Gourcuf and Ambrosine for him...

I have to agree Dani Alves in not just a normal fullback, this man is a genious fullback and a genious player. he can paly as a pure winger and also as a pure RB. HE IS NOT BAD AT DEFENDING AT ALL, and his attacking abilities are perfect for a team that has Gattuso on the right side. His crosses are brilliant and he reads game as good as any creative midfielder. Whatever the price will be, he is worth it. when he moves to a stronger club you will all see that Alves in the best right fullback in the world.

Aldough Zambrotta is the besk left ( yes, left not right ) fullback, and when he was at Juve he was even more perfect then Alves now.

those two players would transform our team completely.