Summer mercato 2009

Originally Posted by Rick

Here is what Leonardo said today:

"I was also very close to Paolo [Maldini], and I had a great relationship with Kaká, but football is not mathematics. We don't have Kaká anymore, but it doesn't mean we're weaker. In the last month I've had dreams – and nightmares – about tactics. I have plenty of confidence in this team. I will work much on the intensity of our game this summer. Talent is certainly not missing in this squad, we just need to change our mentality a bit. You can only win if everybody is ready to make sacrifices and work for the good of the team."

I actually happen to agree with him. Despite all the doom and gloom, the talent is there to challenge for the Scudetto and it would be hard for me to imagine the squad as it is now not finishing in the top four. Milan played brilliantly at times last year (even without Kaka). But there was so much inconsistency and sometimes Carlo's tactics seemed a bit stale. Milan has always been a team greater than the sum of its parts, but last year they didn't play as a team every time. A change in attitude and tactics could do wonders.

If Milan buys Fabiano, Huntelaar, Cissokho, Criscito or whoever, it will only serve to make a good team stronger.

I am sorry but those players will not arrive in my opinion. Also, we may sell Pirlo, as Galliani mentioned today.

It is becoming clear what is going on: all these people want to make money. Sad, but true. Berlusconi showing his true colours.

While Real Madrid are parading C. Ronaldo and Kaka', we are refusing to spend a penny. If we don't get solid players, I don't think I will watch football next year.

Alright maybe I will.

I'm just curious on what Berlu thinks of Milan's bench........

According Mauro Suma Milan first choice is Dzeko as every body knows.
As a replacement Huntelaar is the supporters first choice but L. Fabiano is Leonardo's first choice.

Originally Posted by Maltese Charlie

According Mauro Suma Milan first choice is Dzeko as every body knows.
As a replacement Huntelaar is the supporters first choice but L. Fabiano is Leonardo's first choice.

So, Maltese, what are your views? Do you think we will get 3-4 players?

Galliani Admits Samuel Eto'o Interests AC Milan

The Rossoneri powerbroker has stated that the Blaugrana forward remains in their thoughts as they search for a new signing...

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has been discussing the Rossoneri’s striking options, and admits that Barcelona forward Samuel Eto’o remains an alternative should their prime transfer targets fail to materialise.

Over the weekend Milan saw bids for Real Madrid’s Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano rejected as they step up their efforts to spend some of the funds accumulated through the sale of Kaka.

In statements to the club’s website, Galliani admitted that those two individuals remain their priority, but a certain Spanish side has made concluding a deal difficult.

“In this market, Milan wants [Klaas-Jan] Huntelaar and [Luis] Fabiano,” he said, adding, “But the market is locked because of Real Madrid’s spending, and prices have doubled.”

Despite his complaints, the 64-year old believes Eto’o is still a player that the club hold in high regard, but is concerned his wage demands and transfer fee could prove to be a stumbling block.

“[Samuel] Eto’o? We cannot deny our interest,” he said, adding, “Eto’o is an important player who wants to be paid a lot of money. We need to balance the books, because we are a company.”

The Cameroon international has been consistently linked with a move away from Camp Nou and his contract with the Blaugrana expires in the summer of 2010.

Paul Macdonald, Goal.com
-------------------------------------------------

So, what if Etoo comes to Milan? Would he work in Serie A? I have no doubts about him in the CL, but, I wonder about what he'll do in the Serie A.

I don't think this is serious, I think Milan have their targets and know it, and at the end of the day, they'll get them.

Leonardo said that Milan will play with the usual 4 man defence as before.

In midfield also with 3 men but may be there will be a change in positioning.

And the attack is not decided yet, it could be 3 in line or 2 behind a CF or trequartista behind 2 forwards.

He will make the final decision later on when he watch the players during training.

Originally Posted by Rick

Well, duh. That's my whole point. The sky didn't fall in 2000. It's not falling now. By the end of the summer transfer period, Milan had signed Redondo (on the heels of his Champions League MVP performance -- of course, Redondo promptly blew out his knee and didn't play for 2 1/2 years, proving that you never know) and Kaladze. The following summer (2001) Milan added Brocchi. Pippo, Pirlo and Rui Costa (not players of decent value in your estimation, I take it?). The rest is history.

The squad Milan has in place right now is much better than the one Milan had in place in the summer of 2000. And even though Milan lost their big signing of 2000 to a catastrophic injury, other great players still wanted to play at Milan. By the end of the 2002-03 season, Milan was again Champions of Europe and would begin a run of three finals and two titles over a 5-year period.

At this point, we have no idea what players may or may not end up in Milan jerseys by the end of August. Many of the greatest players are moved in July or August. For all we know, after all this b1tching and whining and moaning and groaning and screaming and threatening and crying and despair, Milan could end up having one of its best transfer seasons ever. Only time will tell.

Come on, man, you don't get my point at all. What I'm playing on is the fact that it took Milan 3 years and heavy investment to get back to the top of the footballing ladder. 3 years! Yes it led to a run of 3 CL finals in 5 years, and to top it off two CL trophies, but apart from our 2004 League, our other seasons have been dismal.

You talk about the timing of the signings, but I'm talking about the fact that even in signing them, it could potentially take 4 to 5 more years before our new lineup takes a proper shape, and in that time Inter could well be onto the second star on their badges. They've already matched us for League championships, and I really can't stand losing out anymore.

Consider this, we started rebuilding in 2000, and it took 3 years and a lot of luck to win the CL the first time (don't give me any bull$hit about how we were better, we won on Penalties, and penalties aren't always won by the better team, plus, if the Milano derby Semi-finals had us drawn as the home team in the second leg, we would have been out of the competition already, luck of the draw), then we kept rebuilding with Kaka and Sheva coming to the fore for us, and in 4 years time, we won the League for the first time in 5 years. Three years after that, another CL trophy.

That makes 3 major trophies in the space of 8 years of rebuilding. We've just taken a step backwards with our sales this year. Regardless of whoever comes in, I don't expect them to have an immediate impact at all, so what makes you so optimistic we won't win our next major trophy in 4, 5 or even 7 years from now?

We've been waiting for the "right signings" to come to our beloved club for over 5 years, and the fact that during that time Berlusconi's purse has been tightening more and our summer signings bar last seasons, have been dismal at best, means that many fans have had ENOUGH ALREADY. We've been patient over the past few years, when management came out with stupid obnoxious comments about how we didn't need new signings, when management made signing players over 34 their top priority, when management made decisions that would induce riots in other clubs or other countries. The fans have behaved impeccably during our last half decade of suffering.

All the fans have been hoping for is the indication that management still gives a damn about the club enough to actually help with making a transition, yet as of today, 3 years since our last major trophy, we still have no indication. The fans have been tolerant, but truly the things going on this summer have been the final straw for some of them. They just don't believe in management to fulfill its promises anymore, and considering the past 4 to 5 years, I really don't blame them.

I tell you this, if you put us at 2000, with less financial clout and less bargaining power than that particular year, how much longer do you think the fans will have to wait for us to achieve anything like we've achieved in the past decade? I'll also remind you that in that time we've won 2 CLs and 1 Serie A Championships out of a possible 10.

Originally Posted by Hasan Rossonero

So, Maltese, what are your views? Do you think we will get 3-4 players?

A CF yes. and a very small chance to get 2 only if Borriello goes.

Midfielder only if Pirlo goes, but looks like he is staying. So more No than Yes.

CD only if Nesta or Kalazde get injured again or they will not recover from their injuries till mid August. More No than yes.

FB. I have a feeling that Cissoko will come.

So to answer your question, It is more likely 1-2 than 3-4.

But I don't agree with you that Berlusconi wants to destroy Milan.
It is not in his own interest to do so.

Suddenly the word "books" has arrived and its a new word for Galliani after " we are campions of the world". "We are a company, we need to balance books..." We werent a company when Berlusconi came and bought half of the worlds best players coz he felt like it? Then the market wasnt disturbed? Disgusting!

Also, on Pirlo: " if the offer arrives we'll consider it, our players choose always, bla,bla..."

On Pato: " Pato is not for sale..."

Arent the players in Milan the ones that "choose"?? HAHAHAHAHA! Or when you sell them you just say they have choosen to go...
**** you Siulvio and Galliani and **** off from Milan you sophistic and lying scum that is trying to make fools out of people.

Rick, you think we can be in top 4? Well then its all ok for Milan! Top 4 here we come!

Galliani said today that we could have a new Brazilian signing:

We are full of Brazilian talents, and we could have a new one, who knows, we'll see. We also have Leonardo.

He's most likely talking about Luis Fabiano, but could also be someone like Hernanes? Who knows.

Btw, it's good to hear that Leonardo requested Luis Fabiano. In that case I hope we get him, and not someone like Huntelaar or even Eto'o who would only be purchased because they're available, not because Leonardo requested them as far as we know anyway.

Originally Posted by Maltese Charlie

A CF yes. and a very small chance to get 2 only if Borriello goes.

Midfielder only if Pirlo goes, but looks like he is staying. So more No than Yes.

CD only if Nesta or Kalazde get injured again or they will not recover from their injuries till mid August. More No than yes.

FB. I have a feeling that Cissoko will come.

So to answer your question, It is more likely 1-2 than 3-4.

But I don't agree with you that Berlusconi wants to destroy Milan.
It is not in his own interest to do so.

I didn't say Berlusconi is trying to destroy Milan. I said that he is more concerned with other things and making money. He is, after all, over 70. But it's the lying that I cannot stand, and not having the decency to say, my time is up here, I should think about the fans also, just not about my image and ego.

He wants to create a winning team on a shoestring budget.

You people need to realize that the world is in real crisis! You can't just ignore the finances and worry about it later.

Only in football can fans expect to spend 20-50 million per season to stay competitive.

Not in American football, not basketball, not hockey, not baseball(save for the yankees) do teams spend that much money on new players PER SEASON(and all those teams own their own stadiums). IT IS ASININE FOR ANYONE TO EXPECT A CLUB TO PAY THAT MUCH OUT !

Picture this, Milan has ignored finances for years and needed a sale like Sheva in 2006 and KAka in 2009 to help balance the books. Money doesn't grow on tree's, you have to pay your own people and services some how ! The company must pay for itself, thru sales and advertising, but when it doesn't, stupid fans expect the owner who isn't seeing true profit from his investment, to go into his pockets and shell out money he has worked for. F*** off some of you ignorant fans.

Originally Posted by Christian

Galliani said today that we could have a new Brazilian signing:


He's most likely talking about Luis Fabiano.....

Btw, it's good to hear that Leonardo requested Luis Fabiano. In that case I hope we get him, and not someone like Huntelaar or even Eto'o who would only be purchased because they're available, not because Leonardo requested them as far as we know anyway.

Although I agree that it's probably best when players who arrive are the ones requested by the coach. That is good thinking.

But on the other hand, Leonardo likes his fellow countrymen and I can understand that but to say that Luis Fabiano is better then ...Eto'o, is just.....how should I put it....hmmm.....NOT TRUE

Originally Posted by Hasan Rossonero

I didn't say Berlusconi is trying to destroy Milan. I said that he is more concerned with other things and making money. He is, after all, over 70. But it's the lying that I cannot stand, and not having the decency to say, my time is up here, I should think about the fans also, just not about my image and ego.

He wants to create a winning team on a shoestring budget.

It is true that in the last seasons he changed the financial policy of Milan.
Berlusconi is not scrouge. He is more the American way. He likes popularity and these measures will make him much less popular. So there must be a valid reason to act like this.

Lately his son PierSilvio is being more involved in press statements regarding Milan. Is it coincidence or preparing the way to take over?

I don't know.

I remember, Bayern did not qualify one year for the CL or did not win the title they go out and spen like 80 mil on players. That was two years ago. Also Barca, did win any trophies, fire Rijkard, and spend money, bring in the right players and win everything that there is to win.

NOW... THATS HOW YOU ****EN DO IT !!!!!