Ricardo Kaka Thread

Originally Posted by daryl

I don't remember this but Maradona apparently transformed Napoli single handedly. According to the editor of NOTW that's what City asked Kaka to do, in more glorified terms of course.

Well, even our brilliant Kaka is not Maradona! But also Napoli had other good players as well, such as Ciro Ferrara, Salvatore Bagni and Fernando De Napoli. And, as Gabriel pointed out, they had a solid defensive foundation and an intimidating crowd. And their rise was gradual as Napoli was only 8th in Maradona's first season there and did not win the Scudetto until his third.

Manchester City has other good players as well, but they seem to have no plan and they are poor defensively. While obviously every club would love to have Kaka, he really wasn't a need for them. Stephen Ireland has been a revelation for them and they have Michael Johnson, who played brilliantly last season alongside Elano, wasting on the bench. Despite the fact that half the other clubs in England seemed to be trying to pry Johnson away from City last summer and he was being hailed as the "next Stephen Gerrard," he never even plays for them anymore! Now it looks as though they might ship him off to Newcastle or somewhere (albeit for Shay Given, a player they could desperately use). But there's no rhyme nor reason to what City is doing. They only tried to throw all that money at Kaka for publicity because they've lived in the shadow of Manchester United for so long that they're desperate for people to pay attention to them. It's kind of sad, actually.

Originally Posted by GeoTav

I don't know if he'll stay with us until he retires ... but all I know, it's that I'll have some stress about him leaving this summer, I don't know why. It would be stupid to sell him the next summer for probably a less important amount of money than this winter, but who knows ... like we don't know exactly what happened on the last few days, we are not able to predict what will happen on the next mercato.

But I'm sure about one thing: if he stays with us this summer too, he'll be here at least until the summer of 2012 (current contract finishing in 2013). Then, at this moment, I think our management will think about selling him or keeping him with a new and last contract, depending on the situation of the team (Pato shining in our team and others looking like normal players, a strong team, or just Pato-Kaka'-?? for example, etc ...).

Another thing I'm sure is that I'd like to see Kaka' playing like before his Golden Ball ...

Gabriel: You might be happy to know that Kaka' could play the second half tonight against Hanover in a new role ... the one of captain !! I didn't think it would be done so quickly ... and if he is our captain for the end of the season, I'm afraid he could leave then as he would have achieved all his goals in Milan ?! Just kidding ...

It would be really bizarre if Kaka' left in the summer; it would make no sense. After the whole PR surrounding Kaka's decision, I don't think Kaka' is going anywhere (God willing).

Originally Posted by Gabriel489

Well, you really can't compare Maradona's Napoli to City. Also, Napoli had a very solid foundation esp on defense. City have nothing.

I do think the situation is similar, instead. Napoli at the time were a mid-low standings' team, exactly as Man City is now, (and plus they have a player like Robinho). Rick, those players like Bagni De Napoli etc. came after.
The only difference is that Napoli bought Maradona when they tried, (the amount was very high at the time) while Man City miserably failed and now they are desperate in saving their asses. If you are the first one that has made sit down Milan board to discuss Kakà buy, (first time Milan give a price to Kakà!!!!) and then you aren't able to finish well the operation, be serious, you can't keep on saying it is their fault, incredible dumbass, the big mistake is all yours.
Why they didn't call all the tv stations after the fail?
Gary should have gone in front to the tv screens with 2 checks in hand, but he didn't. You may sum up Man City's look with just a I would want, but really I can't. I suppose the sheyck is very very happy now.
C'mon, City has been totally screwed by the psycho, stupid Cook.

Originally Posted by Gabriel489

As everyone knows that at that time, every other team was afraid to win a game at Napoli b/c their lives would be in danger.

Wow! Yes you are right, all the sunday, dozens of deaths after every Napoli games! Really a shame, horrible!
C'mon, now I think your imagination is running too much, you are overdoing it because it's not true

I've heard on tv a question to Berluska: "Kakà will stay till the end of his contract?"
After few moments of silence, with a big smile on his face, Berluska answers that "things may always change... Kakà will stay till 2013."
I do not know exactly the truth, anyway one thing I am sure: in him I don't trust anymore.

Originally Posted by ginoformaggino

I do think the situation is similar, instead. Napoli at the time were a mid-low standings' team, exactly as Man City is now, (and plus they have a player like Robinho). Rick, those players like Bagni De Napoli etc. came after.
The only difference is that Napoli bought Maradona when they tried, (the amount was very high at the time) while Man City miserably failed and now they are desperate in saving their asses. If you are the first one that has made sit down Milan board to discuss Kakà buy, (first time Milan give a price to Kakà!!!!) and then you aren't able to finish well the operation, be serious, you can't keep on saying it is their fault, incredible dumbass, the big mistake is all yours.
Why they didn't call all the tv stations after the fail?
Gary should have gone in front to the tv screens with 2 checks in hand, but he didn't. You may sum up Man City's look with just a I would want, but really I can't. I suppose the sheyck is very very happy now.
C'mon, City has been totally screwed by the psycho, stupid Cook.





Wow! Yes you are right, all the sunday, dozens of deaths after every Napoli games! Really a shame, horrible!
C'mon, now I think your imagination is running too much, you are overdoing it because it's not true

I've heard on tv a question to Berluska: "Kakà will stay till the end of his contract?"
After few moments of silence, with a big smile on his face, Berluska answers that "things may always change... Kakà will stay till 2013."
I do not know exactly the truth, anyway one thing I am sure: in him I don't trust anymore.

He said something similar here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-NBg-HKodY

At 4:50 or so, he is asked whether "now that the president said so will Kaka' stay for the rest of his career"?

Berlusconi says something like sometimes people can change their minds, but kaka' will stay until 2013. What does he exactly say? My Italian is fairly good, but I want to make sure I followed it correctly and in detail. He actually brings up 3 different points in his response. Ginoformaggino?

Originally Posted by Hasan Rossonero

He said something similar here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-NBg-HKodY

At 4:50 or so, he is asked whether "now that the president said so will Kaka' stay for the rest of his career"?

Berlusconi says something like sometimes people can change their minds, but kaka' will stay until 2013. What does he exactly say? My Italian is fairly good, but I want to make sure I followed it correctly and in detail. He actually brings up 3 different points in his response. Ginoformaggino?

Your italian is really good, anyway I was referring to another tv declaration, in which I have also seen Berlusca face when he answered. Those few moments of silence before his answer scared me.
Next summer we will see everything, because there will be Real who will try and if there won't be a clear and immediate sign of refusal for any speech....

Originally Posted by ginoformaggino

Your italian is really good, anyway I was referring to another tv declaration, in which I have also seen Berlusca face when he answered. Those few moments of silence before his answer scared me.
Next summer we will see everything, because there will be Real who will try and if there won't be a clear and immediate sign of refusal for any speech....

Thanks.

It would be really strange if Kaka' left after all that happened. The fans would go nuts. Kaka' would look bad. Milan would look bad.

Hasan, and if all the problem was Nike against Adisas? Why Berlu thanks Kakà? Why Galliani ,at the same time, thanks Berluska? And again, why Kakà after few minutes, thanks Berlu and galliani? WHY???? I believed it was a matter of heart...

Originally Posted by ginoformaggino

Hasan, and if all the problem was Nike against Adisas? Why Berlu thanks Kakà? Why Galliani ,at the same time, thanks Berluska? And again, why Kakà after few minutes, thanks Berlu and galliani? WHY????

Yeah, there are many aspects. What do you think will happen?

Milan made a huge mess of this on the one hand (Gallaini did), and Berlusconi's attempt to save face worked to a degree. But now all the big clubs in Europe know that Kaka' has a price.

I really don't know what happened. I repeat we have to wait for 6 months. Also Milan Channel seemed to be confused, they didn't understand what was happening. They said 'Kakà officially to Man City', do you see? Kakà was crying too many times. Bosco's desire was 'how much money', while Cook wanted to know Kakà's sponsor contracts. Elvis Hughes said 'it's now or never', sweet Gary should now sing 'a little less conversation, a little more action please, close your mouth and open up your heart and baby satisfy me'. Who won? Now, Milan is like David in front of Goliath, the right thing has been done and all the world is happy, Kakà will be next pope, Gary Cook and his broken ass will finish in an harem as a gorgeous b*****. Anyway, it should be very clear the lack of determination in Cook, something of extremely difficult to explain, even the fact that Berlu and the skeik are partners is not enough, unless the sheik wanted to fire with a good reason Cook and Hughes without to be painted as a fool dictator. It's sure Kakà may be sold, this is a scenario that we will face for sure again.

Milan Channel is as unreliable as the rest, because it is not necessarily the official statement of the club.

Any official statement should come from the official website or from the top management team.

Originally Posted by ginoformaggino

Rick, those players like Bagni De Napoli etc. came after.

True, they all came either the same year or after Maradona, but my point was that they had some other players who contributed greatly to Napoli's winning the Scudetto. Maradona didn't do it all by himself.

I agree with you that City handled the whole thing badly. My feeling is that the reason it was handled so badly is because they wanted Kaka for the wrong reasons. For the Arabs and especially for Cook, it was all about the publicity. They've lived in the shadow of Manchester United for so long that they're starved for it.

But I think the Napoli and Manchester City situations differ in a few ways:

1. Maradona asked for a transfer from Barcelona. Kaka did not ask to be transferred. Diego had been unhappy at Barca and had feuded with the club's president as well as the directors.

2. While the price Napoli paid for Maradona in 1984 was then a world record, it was not four times the player's value. In fact, it was only slightly higher than Barcelona had paid Boca Juniors for him two years earlier.

3. Napoli seemed to have a plan in mind. I'm not convinced Manchester City has figured one out yet.

4. While it's true that Napoli had been a mid-table club the two season prior to Maradona's arrival, they had actually been a very strong club during the late 1960s and the 1970s. In fact, they finished third in 1981 and fourth in 1982. City, on the other hand, had been a mediocre-to-bad squad for the past 30 years! In fact, they had been relegated several times and had even fallen to England's third tier in the 1990s! So Napoli had more of a foundation of success.

City is not a "mid low standings team" - they are a handful of points above relegation!

I am torn about this supposed transfer that fell apart - I am glad that Kaka and Silvio both resisted the huge temptation, but on the other hand, those funds could have been used to shore up some gaping holes in the current first team squad. A youth movement is needed, but neither Carlo nor Silvio has the courage to cut some of the aging vets. Also, selling a player at 26/28 gets your good value. They are still healthy but a year or two away from the troubled, injury plagued 30+ age demo.

I posted some more thoughts on it: http://blog.futfanatico.com/2009/01/...-analysis.aspx

Torn, but yes seeing Ricky in the black and red will help me sleep at night

Originally Posted by Rick

Manchester City has other good players as well, but they seem to have no plan and they are poor defensively. While obviously every club would love to have Kaka, he really wasn't a need for them. Stephen Ireland has been a revelation for them and they have Michael Johnson, who played brilliantly last season alongside Elano, wasting on the bench. Despite the fact that half the other clubs in England seemed to be trying to pry Johnson away from City last summer and he was being hailed as the "next Stephen Gerrard," he never even plays for them anymore! Now it looks as though they might ship him off to Newcastle or somewhere (albeit for Shay Given, a player they could desperately use). But there's no rhyme nor reason to what City is doing. They only tried to throw all that money at Kaka for publicity because they've lived in the shadow of Manchester United for so long that they're desperate for people to pay attention to them. It's kind of sad, actually.

can't agree more, Rick.

As for Kaka, I remember somebody saying before that, in short, Kaka is no Maradona, he is more CRonaldo. Meaning, Kaka will play way better when surrounded by good players, like CRonaldo, but might struggle when put into a poor team. And Tevez, will be the one people should compare Maradona with, because Tevez is more of a "fighter", like Maradona was, has the peculiar determination derived from his poor family background. Is that what you meant?

Originally Posted by ginoformaggino

Those few moments of silence before his answer scared me.
Next summer we will see everything, because there will be Real who will try and if there won't be a clear and immediate sign of refusal for any speech....

..I don't know about you but I can do with a drink.

Originally Posted by PatitoFeo

City is not a "mid low standings team" - they are a handful of points above relegation!

I am torn about this supposed transfer that fell apart - I am glad that Kaka and Silvio both resisted the huge temptation, but on the other hand, those funds could have been used to shore up some gaping holes in the current first team squad. A youth movement is needed, but neither Carlo nor Silvio has the courage to cut some of the aging vets. Also, selling a player at 26/28 gets your good value. They are still healthy but a year or two away from the troubled, injury plagued 30+ age demo.

I posted some more thoughts on it: http://blog.futfanatico.com/2009/01/...-analysis.aspx

Torn, but yes seeing Ricky in the black and red will help me sleep at night

great article, thanks.
The only thing I might be able to add is that by selling Kaka at an inflated price, Milan would have inflated every single player's price. So we couldn't have bought the Messes. And the players one level down from them would have cost far more than they would have before. Now, in England, many journalists as well as agents finally started to draw attention to the fact that City are causing an unsustainable inflationary boom among the market. But yes, I agree with you we could have done A LOT with the money.