Summer mercato 2009

Originally Posted by Ceceves

Any sources?

I'd love for us to sign Criscito. He had a very good season with Genoa, but for some reason Juve want to bring in old man Grosso to play LB . I believe Maldini spoke very highly of Criscito when asked about the new generation/his "successors". I can't really see Juve selling him to us, though...

calciomercato.com

Is Criscito really good? Or is he just Barzagli type of player?

Sorry guys, I'm a bit busy as I'm the main responsible of a sports tournament this week-end ... so I posted quickly.

Originally Posted by Calciomercato

Prende forma il nuovo Milan targato Leonardo. Dopo l'ingaggio (avvenuto già mesi fa) di Thiago Silva, ecco ora un altro tassello importante per la difesa dei rossoneri: Mimmo Criscito.

La società di via Turati ha virato dritto sul centrale del Genoa, ritenuto un ottimo elemento anche in chiave futura. Come appreso da calciomercato.com, Galliani si è espressamente recato più volte in Svezia, dove l'Under 21 disputava l'Europeo di categoria, per parlare direttamente con il ragazzo.

Actually, we'll know if it is an all-made up story or if there is any truth in this story next days I think ...

Originally Posted by Rick

Sorry, but you don't have your own religion (no matter how much you stand on the corner yelling that "the end is near!"). I said "mrki and anyone else" (not mrki and others) because you were the one who Dutchie specifically mentioned as having been claiming you would never support Milan again if they sold Kaka.

I'm glad you've decided you can't turn your back on the club because anyone who would stop supporting a club because they didn't have a certain player is really a fan of the player, not the club. But it just serves to underscore some of the "sky is falling" dramatics around here. And sometimes I do think you're the "prophet" of the negativity movement.

Yes, if you were to give up Milan for one player, then you are a truly what we call "a band-wagon" jumper.

Just like 80% of last years' Manchester United supporters, who were really fans only due C.ROnaldo. As soon as Man Utd. lost the champions league final, many swapped to Barca, and when Ronaldo left, the rest took up Madrid.

The thought of giving up Milan, let alone changing a soccer team must have all crossed our minds following the transfer, but I am glad you decided to carry on supporting our club. We will get back on our feet and be better than ever!

Look what Sacchi had to say.



AC Milan And Inter Looking Good, Not Sure About Juventus - Arrigo Sacchi
Arrigo Sacchi commented on the transfer campaigns of Inter, AC Milan and Juventus.
30 Jun 2009 20:37:05

Today former AC Milan and Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport in which he talked about the transfer campaigns of Serie A's Big Three so far.

First of all, he discussed the Rossoneri's new policy of buying less glamorous players despite Kaka's high profile move to Real Madrid.

"The fans are complaining about Kaka's departure and the club's decision to stop signing big names. However, they should have been alarmed before, when the club invested too much money on players who were in the twilight of their careers.

"[Silvio] Berlusconi and [Adriano] Galliani are great managers, but lately they have gone against their innovative spirit. Now, as intelligent people, they have changed their course and I very much trust their abilities and intuitions: I'm sure the new Milan won't disappoint."

Sacchi then moved on to discuss current champions Inter, who he thinks have made some good moves so far.

"The great Inter of [Massimo] Moratti and [Jose] Mourinho have bought [Diego] Milito, who is a striker that gives guarantees on a professional and technical level," he continued. "Thiago Motta is mainly a technical guarantee, but if Mourinho can reduce his exuberance he could be very important. The future arrival [Ricardo] Carvalho would improve the defence's technical level, while Deco is a more risky investment..."

He was less enthusiastic about Juventus, saying "the Bianconeri have needed a playmaker who can dictate the tempo, and give geometry and fluidity to their football. The ideal player would be [Gaetano] D'Agostino, [Cristian] Ledesma, while Real Madrid's [Mahamadou] Diarra is more of a destroyer. Diego is a great purchase, but I have my doubts about [Fabio] Cannavaro and [Giorgio] Chiellini's tactical compatibility."

Danilo Pochini, Goal.com



I'll think Sacchi's opinion is a little bit different than some of our posters here,
Hmmmm.......but not sure!!!!

I always look forward to your posts Maltese_Charlie...you are always the first to bring us news of a surprise capture...when I saw that you had made the last post in this topic I thought we might have signed Dzeko.

Anyway - keep posting more!

Ah well, some more ba news in a potential option after Cissoko's failed transfer:

Andre Santos would take Juventus over AC Milan
30.06.09 | tribalfootball.com
Juventus are being offered the chance to trump AC Milan for Brazil defender Andre Santos.

The highly-rated Corinthians fullback is a target for Milan coach Leonardo, but he actually would prefer a move to Turin.

Andre Santos said: "Leaving Brazil for Juve would be the best.

"In Turin I would feel at home. I like my countrymen Diego and Amauri, I would settle easily there."

Meanwhile, Zdenek Grygera could be on the move this summer.

The former Ajax defender is a target for Panathinaikos coach Henk ten Cate, though is reluctant to move to Greece.

La Stampa says Juve chief Alessio Secco already is planning for life without Grygera.

Andre Santos didn't actually say he'd take Turin over Milan, he just said he'd like Juventus. If I'm a professional player in his position, I'd like Juventus as well.

Plus, I was not really impressed with him, am I the only one?

Current Defensive valuation (Full backs):

Nesta: Should be regarded more as a liability for next season than a true asset (no offense to the legend). His fitness fluctuations mean that Milan should be looking to find atleast one full-back replacement.

Kaladze: Injury problems beginning to hamper the Georgian, and at the moment, I feel Bonera is ahead of him.

Bonera: A solid defender, who is adept in the right back position as well. Not the answer to seal up the defense, but expect to see more of him this season.

Favalli: Dissapointed if I see him play in the first team next season. Should play more of a mentoring role for Silva to devlop in SerieA, and be called up only when required. Still, with that said, he deserved his one-year extension.

Darmian: Form in friendlies suggest he turns the ball over the opposition strikers too often. Needs to be loaned out first.

Albertazzi: Mgt. seems to have faith in him, meaning he has shown something. Would like him loaned out first though!

Astori: Played well last season for Cagliari, and Milan should call him back!

Silva: Looked clumsy at times, and then brilliant in the Milan defense during numeorus frienlies. Looks like an imposing wall, and witj refinement, experience, and tuition from our other defenders, he has all the ingredients to become great.

So it seems we need atleast one more quality full-back, as well as a LB to seal up our defense. Also, might be the right time to farewell Kaldze and bring in Astori.

next post, Goalkeepers.

Originally Posted by Ceceves

Any sources?

I'd love for us to sign Criscito. He had a very good season with Genoa, but for some reason Juve want to bring in old man Grosso to play LB . I believe Maldini spoke very highly of Criscito when asked about the new generation/his "successors". I can't really see Juve selling him to us, though...

I actually can see them selling him, they have serious problems at left-back, and they have loaned him out twice, January 2008 and last summer. When Molinaro is who he has to battle for a spot, I'm sure that Criscito would be a much better option, but for some reason I get the sense that they do not like him.

Maybe it was just Ranieri's idea? Hopefully Ferrarra has the same foolish opinion.

The other thing is that maybe Juventus is putting their faith in De Ceglie rather than Criscito, which is odd, because I've always felt that De Deglie was a much better left-sided midfielder than left-back.

Juventus seems to like to push away players they could use, Nocerino was sold to Palermo, when I think he was surely a better option that Poulsen or Tiago, don't you think?

I'm probably just getting my hopes up for this one, only for them to be dashed.

If we want a cheap defender, Andrea Esposito from Lecce would be perfect. He's young (23) and he'd be cheap (Lecce have just been relegated). I do'nt know if any of you know too much about him, but he's had some impressive performances, and for Lecce at that.

Current Goalkeeping Situation:

Abbiati: Am his no.1 fan. Of course there were skeptics when he returned, but he has been a rock between our posts the whole time. Solid, precise, and error-free, we were all shocked to see him get injured. Hope this injury doesn't cause problems down the track however, and become chronic. Should naturally start as no.1 next season.

Dida: Hate him or not, Nelson performed admirably in the latter part of the campaign. No more errors, and fairly sharp. However, I feel this won't be enough for him to stay for next seaon. most likely though, he will stay, as his high wages will prove to be a stumbling block in a potential transfer abroad.

Kalac: Being Australian, I have a sentimental feeling for Kalac. However, how he got into the Milan side in the first place confuses me. Time to leave please. There will be plenty of suitors for him if Milan decides to sell him though.

Storari: Everyone seems to rate him excpet Milan. Either sell him for decent cash, or keep him to add much needed depth to our lineup. Better than Kalac for sure.

Obviously, we will need a new goalkeeper. Someone who will be the future of Milan and seriously push Abbiati for the prized no.1 spot.

Here is a list of potential suitors; feel free to add more to this list:

-Adler (young German International with plenty of talent. Won't come cheap though!)
-Mandanda (First goal-keeper for France, and has out-classed his closest rival Lloris this season. Wants to come to Milan, and we should consider him)
-Bruno (Brazilian keeper from Flamengo, who has a long kick and good reflexes.)

http://eleven-magazine.com
This is the blog of a fashion magazine that I am starting. Check it out and tell me what you think.

perhaps it could be a bit mroe colourful, with an interactive entrance page?

Originally Posted by Saliwonczyk

-Mandanda (First goal-keeper for France, and has out-classed his closest rival Lloris this season. Wants to come to Milan, and we should consider him)

No ... Lloris showed this season he was a better GK and more importantly, a solid GK in all situations and in big games when Mandada made several mistakes that costed games to Marseille.

I don't know why, but Domenech keeps using Mandanda instead of Lloris in the French NT ... it's probably all about astrology !!

PS: Both need to improve in the same area: they seem shy off and on the pitch, and you can see that in the way they (don't) control their defence ...

Originally Posted by GeoTav

No ... Lloris showed this season he was a better GK and more importantly, a solid GK in all situations and in big games when Mandada made several mistakes that costed games to Marseille.

I don't know why, but Domenech keeps using Mandanda instead of Lloris in the French NT ... it's probably all about astrology !!

PS: Both need to improve in the same area: they seem shy off and on the pitch, and you can see that in the way they (don't) control their defence ...

Yes, but it is agreed that Mandanda would be great as our second keeper. Adler would be even better.

The main problem is that Mandanda or Lloris wouldn't come cheap, so if we pay a big amount of money just to use them as backups ... I'm not sure it would be a good solution for us nor a good solution for these players who know that by staying in the best clubs of France, for moment, they are each week end on TV and so they keep their place in the national team (because Domenech seems not to be a fan of players playing abroad, especially in Italy, I'm pretty sure that there will be some French players who will come to Italy once Domenech will be fired).