Summer mercato 2009

I think God willing we will get a full-back. Or no one.

50-50 in my opinion.

Virtually impossible to get two players with this miserly management.

Well the possibilities have really narrowed down. It seems like the only person we are linked with is Rafinha......but if and only if we sell Oddo.

I wouldn't be surprised if we snatch Drenthe from Madrid on a loan with the option to buy. I know that the move was dismissed as soon as we were linked with him......but I just don't see how the management will spend 10 mil on Rafinha....so I'm just thinking of cheap options that might be available to us.

Originally Posted by Rick

Again, it's a matter of risk. If you get a 33% discount because of finding a medical problem, it might be enough to assume the risk of signing the player. Thinking of him as a wrecked car is not an appropriate example. It's more like buying a model car that has history of certain parts of the engine or the drive train breaking down. You might be more willing to assume the risk if you get a better price. A wrecked car would be a better analogy for a player who has just had knee surgery. And a loan deal would have given Milan an entire season to probe further into the problem and hopefully find a way to rectify it. There's actually some logic to the whole thing if you think with your head instead of your heart.





What makes you think I don't want Milan to win anything for 10 years? That's just about the funniest thing I've heard in awhile. The difference between me and people who think like you is that I don't think the situation is so dire that it's going to take Milan 10 years to win anything.

I didn't really say you don't want milan to win anything for 10 years, just that you wouldn't mind if milan doesn't win anything in 10 years. There is a difference there. In the world of sports, talent wins championships. From a talent perspective, this team is in very bad shape. We have some old former stars who are aging rapidly but still have to shoulder the heavy burden of carrying the team single handedly. In the meantime, we have no talented youngsters who are even remotely capable of developing into world class players. To add insult to injury, we have a management that doesn't care about winning or building a better team. The only thing they are concerned about are money and some retarded word games to screw around with the fans. A team that lost its superstar and his successor should by all means be classfied as being in crisis and yet the management seem content to pocket the money and BS the fans all summer long instead of doing their actual job. I don't know about you, but to me, the situation is dire and we are indeed in crisis.

As far as the Cissokho thing goes, here is my view. If, as you said, Cissokho was being considered as a cornerstone of our future franchise by milan management, then he cannot be compared to a car. A car is more or less of a luxury good as you can get away with buying a cheap car without impacting your ability to go places. I see Cissokho more like the foundation of your house. Would you try to save a few bucks on the foundation of your house if it means there is a major risk associated to it? I wouldn't. IF we indeed see Cissokho as a big part of our team in the next decade, then there is no reason to try to lower his fees with this dental thing. Either he can or he can't be the future LB of this team, that's the end of the story. A long term health problem would be unlikely to surface in a year anyway, so the loan deal made no sense.

Originally Posted by nefremo

Well the possibilities have really narrowed down. It seems like the only person we are linked with is Rafinha......but if and only if we sell Oddo.

I wouldn't be surprised if we snatch Drenthe from Madrid on a loan with the option to buy. I know that the move was dismissed as soon as we were linked with him......but I just don't see how the management will spend 10 mil on Rafinha....so I'm just thinking of cheap options that might be available to us.

I think Rafinha for 10m is realistic. After all, we were willing to buy Cissokho for more and he's less proven. I think it depends on Oddo though. I think he'll go West Ham in a permanent move, but I think they want a loan deal.

Ideally, factoring there's only the last 5 days or so left, we'd get one fullback (probably Rafinha right now) and one creative midfielder as a backup.

I dont think we will get a LB and MF we'd end up with a LB and thats all for this mercato

Originally Posted by slifersd

I didn't really say you don't want milan to win anything for 10 years, just that you wouldn't mind if milan doesn't win anything in 10 years. There is a difference there.

Well then I don't see how you get that I wouldn't mind if Milan didn't win anything for 10 years. How do you figure that? First of all, I can't completely discount the possibility that Milan will win the Scudetto this year. Maybe this Milan team doesn't have the greatness of some of the past teams, but on the other hand the competition pretty much sucks. Inter and Juve are two relatively ordinary teams that are a bit lacking in creativity (something that Milan is not lacking). I don't see any other teams that are any great shakes either. Also, I am both patient and realistic. If Milan doesn't win anything this year, it doesn't mean they won't win anything for 10 years. It only means they wouldn't win anything this year. There's always next year. There are still five days left in the mercato. Maybe Milan will buy a good fullback. If not, maybe there will be additions in January. And if not, we have the entirety of next summer's mercato to bring in more players. The sky is not falling.

In the world of sports, talent wins championships. From a talent perspective, this team is in very bad shape. We have some old former stars who are aging rapidly but still have to shoulder the heavy burden of carrying the team single handedly. In the meantime, we have no talented youngsters who are even remotely capable of developing into world class players. To add insult to injury, we have a management that doesn't care about winning or building a better team. The only thing they are concerned about are money and some retarded word games to screw around with the fans. A team that lost its superstar and his successor should by all means be classfied as being in crisis and yet the management seem content to pocket the money and BS the fans all summer long instead of doing their actual job. I don't know about you, but to me, the situation is dire and we are indeed in crisis.

If you think the talent level of this team is bad, then I don't know what to say to you. Good god, man. Pato, Huntelaar, Ronaldinho, Pirlo, Flamini, Gattuso, Nesta, Silva, Zambrotta, etc.? You think those guys are without talent?

As for all these old players shouldering the heavy burden, do you have any idea what the average age of the lineups of the "big three" Serie A teams happens to be? The average age of Milan's starting lineup against Siena last weekend was 28.5 years. The average age of the midfield and forwards was 26.8 years. The average age of the defense (which tends to be older as a norm) was just a smidgen over 30. If Milan buys a younger fullback to replace Jankulovski, those numbers will go down further. They'll go down slightly with Huntelaar in the lineup instead of Boriello. In fact, the oldest player in Milan's regular lineup is Nesta, who at 33 is not that old for a center back.

Now, do you know what the average age of Inter's lineup that took the pitch against Bari on Sunday was? It was 30.3 -- almost two years per man older than Milan's lineup. The average age of their defense was 32 and the average age of their midfielders and forwards was 29. The average age of the Juventus starting lineup on Sunday was 28.7.

And let's revisit a couple of statements you made:

In the meantime, we have no talented youngsters who are even remotely capable of developing into world class players.

So what's Pato? Chopped liver? I realize Pato sounds kind of like pate and it means duck, but seriously -- what young players do either Inter or Juve have that even approach Pato's class?

A team that lost its superstar and his successor

Okay, how many times do I have to say this? Gourcuff was never, ever, ever, viewed as a replacement for Kaka. Never. Ever. Why do some of you insist on perpetrating this total nonsense? And whatever you believe he might have become is irrelevant because he didn't do much for Milan and he didn't even play for Milan last season. So nothing -- not a damned (oops, I meant darned) thing -- was lost from the Milan lineup when Gourcuff was purchased by Bordeaux. In fact, Milan made a very nice profit off the deal that apparently provided the money to buy Huntelaar. So just think of it as trading Gourcuff for Huntelaar.

Now please let's not get started on the Gourcuff thing again.

As far as the Cissokho thing goes, here is my view. If, as you said, Cissokho was being considered as a cornerstone of our future franchise by milan management, then he cannot be compared to a car. A car is more or less of a luxury good as you can get away with buying a cheap car without impacting your ability to go places. I see Cissokho more like the foundation of your house. Would you try to save a few bucks on the foundation of your house if it means there is a major risk associated to it? I wouldn't. IF we indeed see Cissokho as a big part of our team in the next decade, then there is no reason to try to lower his fees with this dental thing. Either he can or he can't be the future LB of this team, that's the end of the story. A long term health problem would be unlikely to surface in a year anyway, so the loan deal made no sense.

You were the one who started with the car analogies, not me. Now all of a sudden you're switching to house analogies. Let it go. You'll thank yourself for it. Really.

Originally Posted by gregorio

I agree, that Leo and Braida made a good job with Kaka and Pato, because they were two of the hottest prospect that time and became champions, and also cost us almost nothing.
But since Pato has arrived I can't see any scouting activities from Braida (hope he will get me wrong), and what am I pissed off that Inter just signed almost for nothing one of the best prospect from Brazil last year, who will arrive next year and can be as good as Ronaldinho by time.
He is Coutinho, he would have been the perfect replacement for Kaka!
So Juve's and Inter's trequartista problem is solved for the next 5-6 years, but our phenomenon Ronaldinho has max. 3 more years and he is finished!
We need somebody next year who could be his long term replacement, now that Gourcuff has gone
I have heard about another brazilian hot prospect Neymar, he is a seconda punta, but very similar to Robinho!

Nice post, but here´s the problem, gregorio:

If they bought him, people would have jumped at mgt because they only want Italians... "there´s so much Brazilians", even if they are only 3(Pato, Ronaldinho and Thiago, since Dida will leave soon) and these type of thing. Btw where are that guy from England that said to not buy a Brazilian defender? Forget his name, but want to see if he still think we need to sell Thiago Silva and that he´s trash

I could care less if a players is from USA, Italy, Brazil, Spain or Argentina(ok, now I´m lying )...I want the best for Milan. It´s the Globalization...of course betweeen a good(average) foreign and a Italian it´s more smart to by a Italian, but if you want to remain a big club today, you need the best players, period.

Alex Fergusson some years ago, pay cheap money and get the fullbacks twins from Fluminense. Even a blind could have see at youth competitions that these 2 kids would be amazing. Inter bought Coutinho. Real Madrid bought Marcelo for 6 Millions and we Grimmi Last season the 2 kids from Uruguai(when Benfica buy the best 2 from there)

Regarding Neymar, besides the talent, he´s still a project. The problem is: He will cost a big amount of money for a project. Pato was young, but also was carring his team at 17 years old. Neymar besides to win some games for Santos, still isn´t at the level that Pato was...

Just a hint: Braida, came here and buy this 18/19 old before the price raises more(just for example): He can be groomed as Ronadinho heir or play on the left or right in our mid...c´mon, it´s not that hard to find a talent
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2E0_Y8tADI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PYEyiT4dnE

Originally Posted by Christian

Hold on here... There are loads of 'next Ronaldinho/Robinho/Ronaldo' coming out of Brazil every year, and far from everyone of them fullfil anywhere near what has been predicted for them. It's only a couple of summers since Inter signed the amazing Kerlon that juggles the ball on his head, didn't really turn out to be that amazing during his loan in Chievo though.

And about Grosso, sure he's been good for Italy, but haven't we learned anything from the Oddo signing?

Also apparently Rafinha's agent is in Milan: http://milannews.it/?action=read&idnotizia=11132

To be fair, Christian... The problem with Kerlon is healthy. He just can´t stay away from injured list. Sad, because despite people only focus on that trick, he was a amazing player...a complete(besides height) offensive mid.

Inter take a huge bet buying him(since he almost didn´t play here for 3 years after to broke the ankle), but if I´m not wrong, it was very cheap...and the kid at least won a title and was the MVP with his NT, and not a unknow player that did nothing important with his team that we are buying in South America.

Regarding this new Ronaldinho ´s Robinho´s thing...you know what is funny? We(Brazilians) rarely label these kids the new Ronnie or Robinho. Seriously, only the agents and 1 or 2 journalist(receiving money) do this here... We even make fun of our rivals(Argies) that loves to label(and find) a new Maradona

It´s only a European pappers thing... And I can´t believe people still buy this type of comparisson.

Btw, it´s not a knock on you...I´m just using your post to talk about it, ok?

Originally Posted by Brasileiro

Just a hint: Braida, came here and buy this 18/19 old before the price raises more(just for example): He can be groomed as Ronadinho heir or play on the left or right in our mid...c´mon, it´s not that hard to find a talent
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2E0_Y8tADI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PYEyiT4dnE

I'm serious about what I'm going to say: people being in a management of big clubs should come 5 minutes a day on this kind of forums ... Just 5 minutes, they would have many ideas.

Also, if these guys have children or know some children, they should pay one of them to play Football Manager for example ...

We don't need to have 50 scouts in the club, actually, one guy being able to use a computer and internet would be enough (when you see that on this forum, you and another person can give informations directly from Brazil, I can give informations directly from France, some people are in the East European countries where there are plenty talents, etc, and this forum isn't the biggest one for Milan ...), then once a target is chosen, he could fly in his country to watch him, get some more informations and eventually meet him and his club.

Originally Posted by Brasileiro

To be fair, Christian... The problem with Kerlon is healthy. He just can´t stay away from injured list. Sad, because despite people only focus on that trick, he was a amazing player...a complete(besides height) offensive mid.

Inter take a huge bet buying him(since he almost didn´t play here for 3 years after to broke the ankle), but if I´m not wrong, it was very cheap...and the kid at least won a title and was the MVP with his NT, and not a unknow player that did nothing important with his team that we are buying in South America.

Regarding this new Ronaldinho ´s Robinho´s thing...you know what is funny? We(Brazilians) rarely label these kids the new Ronnie or Robinho. Seriously, only the agents and 1 or 2 journalist(receiving money) do this here... We even make fun of our rivals(Argies) that loves to label(and find) a new Maradona

It´s only a European pappers thing... And I can´t believe people still buy this type of comparisson.

Btw, it´s not a knock on you...I´m just using your post to talk about it, ok?

Yeah, sure

I honostly haven't watched Coutinho at all, and Kerlon only a little bit, my point was just that blaming the management for not bringing in someone who has only yet played a handfull of games perhaps is a bit far fetched. Besides I don't see any Kaká's or Pato's having been signed by Inter from South America in the last decade, Recoba or Adriano are the closest I guess, but I'd rather have our Brazilians.
About the names, I guess it is the European press that comes up with these names then (The Brittish press I bet!). Just try to google 'The new Kaká' and you get 50 different players that Arsenal are reportedly trying to sign. Some of the names are abit far fetched to, remember Anderson was called 'the new Ronaldinho' back before he joined Man Utd, not that he's a bad player, but he's not that Ronaldinho'ish

Btw Geo, I remember reading that Everton or something like that used Football Manager to scout for players.

Cobolli enjoys Juve's DD pair

Football Italia getting naughty with their article titles.

Originally Posted by GeoTav

I'm serious about what I'm going to say: people being in a management of big clubs should come 5 minutes a day on this kind of forums ... Just 5 minutes, they would have many ideas.

Also, if these guys have children or know some children, they should pay one of them to play Football Manager for example ...

We don't need to have 50 scouts in the club, actually, one guy being able to use a computer and internet would be enough (when you see that on this forum, you and another person can give informations directly from Brazil, I can give informations directly from France, some people are in the East European countries where there are plenty talents, etc, and this forum isn't the biggest one for Milan ...), then once a target is chosen, he could fly in his country to watch him, get some more informations and eventually meet him and his club.

You know, Geo...I´m now curious to play Football Manager. I mean, I saw in another forum one guy talking about a Brazilian young player that I never heard, and the guy said the kid was the real deal in FM

I did a research and found the kid profile in a Brazilian team(youth roster), and can´t believe they put him on a game. From what I read, they have(in game) zillions of kids from all most importants leagues in the world!! How can they do this? How can they put ratings on these kids? Crazy thing...

Ragarding forums, I have some friends(journalist) that some times write about international football(nothing big, just local pappers), and one of them was ready to make a article about Seedorf(full of praise, and calling him a fan favourite and one of the best...), when I said to him to go to MM, and read what Milan fans around the world think about the actual Seedorf... I even said to him to look for Gabriel posts in special

The guy deleted all the work he did

There´s a lot of crazy things around forum´s , but you can also find very good informations about the state of the team or players aroung the world.

Originally Posted by Christian

Yeah, sure

I honostly haven't watched Coutinho at all, and Kerlon only a little bit, my point was just that blaming the management for not bringing in someone who has only yet played a handfull of games perhaps is a bit far fetched. Besides I don't see any Kaká's or Pato's having been signed by Inter from South America in the last decade, Recoba or Adriano are the closest I guess, but I'd rather have our Brazilians.
About the names, I guess it is the European press that comes up with these names then (The Brittish press I bet!). Just try to google 'The new Kaká' and you get 50 different players that Arsenal are reportedly trying to sign. Some of the names are abit far fetched to, remember Anderson was called 'the new Ronaldinho' back before he joined Man Utd, not that he's a bad player, but he's not that Ronaldinho'ish

Btw Geo, I remember reading that Everton or something like that used Football Manager to scout for players.

You right, Anderson wasn´t a Ronaldinho type of player(Ronaldinho is unique), but since they came from Gremio and were offensive mid, the comparisson began. Now is Douglas Costa(a amazing prospect, no doubt), but that has his own style, but that the pappers aroung the world are calling the new someone...

Btw, a little of topic, but since you talk about Anderson. Alex Fergusson has a great history, but he´s killining(if not killed) one of the great Brazil´s talent of the last years. Anderson come from to be a amazing offensive mid, to become a good or above average central midfielder. What a way to kill a talent...the guy can´t even score anymore

Originally Posted by HO-YOUNG

Dzeko beat the crap out of a team mate in training... maybe he is upset about not been able to come to milan.... i could tie Berlu to a chair let Dzeko beet the crap out of him also...

How about tieing his 18 year old girlfriend, Noemi Letizia , next to him, before unleashing Dzeko on him That would be like an evil scene from an action Hollywood movie

Originally Posted by Brasileiro

You know, Geo...I´m now curious to play Football Manager. I mean, I saw in another forum one guy talking about a Brazilian young player that I never heard, and the guy said the kid was the real deal in FM

I did a research and found the kid profile in a Brazilian team(youth roster), and can´t believe they put him on a game. From what I read, they have(in game) zillions of kids from all most importants leagues in the world!! How can they do this? How can they put ratings on these kids? Crazy thing...

Ragarding forums, I have some friends(journalist) that some times write about international football(nothing big, just local pappers), and one of them was ready to make a article about Seedorf(full of praise, and calling him a fan favourite and one of the best...), when I said to him to go to MM, and read what Milan fans around the world think about the actual Seedorf... I even said to him to look for Gabriel posts in special

The guy deleted all the work he did

There´s a lot of crazy things around forum´s , but you can also find very good informations about the state of the team or players aroung the world.

(

Well I'm glad you refer your friends to MM which is definitely the best in the world! (honestly, we have the most quality posts here - ok I'll be honest now I actually never go to any other forum ).

J

Originally Posted by GeoTav

I'm serious about what I'm going to say: people being in a management of big clubs should come 5 minutes a day on this kind of forums ... Just 5 minutes, they would have many ideas.

Also, if these guys have children or know some children, they should pay one of them to play Football Manager for example ...

We don't need to have 50 scouts in the club, actually, one guy being able to use a computer and internet would be enough (when you see that on this forum, you and another person can give informations directly from Brazil, I can give informations directly from France, some people are in the East European countries where there are plenty talents, etc, and this forum isn't the biggest one for Milan ...), then once a target is chosen, he could fly in his country to watch him, get some more informations and eventually meet him and his club.

Ideas? Yes. Good ones? That's a different story. Message board posters would soon have Milan either bankrupt or relegated. Or both.