Winter Mercato 2011

Well, I'm a big fan of good players. I don't care if he's Dutch, or Brazilian, or Martian; if he adds some quality that we need then I'm all for him.

Originally Posted by Nalx

Well, I'm a big fan of good players. I don't care if he's Dutch, or Brazilian, or Martian; if he adds some quality that we need then I'm all for him.

Agree with this although I look at other attributes beyond the technical.

Physical and mental attributes are just as important as technical attributes in today's game and it's a balance you need to get right. Perfect example is Pirlo in that we have a gifted technical player and needs other players around him to strike up a balance to make up for his lack of presence and pace (Gattuso pre 2008).

Tuttomercato says Bale's price is around 20mln euro... That is, in my oppinion, more then a good deal considering that man is one of the best wide players in the world, and is 20.

Money from Marek's wages, Onyewu, Oddo, Seedorf wages, Gattuso ( all useless players ) needs to be invested in one class player. By all standards Milan needs a fullback like him.

But rumors say Mourinho wants him in there so...

Also, its interesting to see now hoe Leonadro wanted Hernanes for past 2 years, said that Ganso is the player he likes in that U20 WC where we all looked at Giliano, and wanted Bale in Milan when the price was around 4-5mln 2 years ago! Nice, Galliani...

I hope we won't go for a player like Bale ... that would mean we plan to use this 4-3-3 formation again and again !!

All I hope is that once Ronaldinho will be gone (or even before), we'll use again some more balanced formation (4-3-3 is balanced with some conditions, 4-3-1-2 is more balanced even with a static midfield) ...

I don't care about the names of the players we buy, I care more about their favourite position/role in a team.

Originally Posted by GeoTav

I hope we won't go for a player like Bale ... that would mean we plan to use this 4-3-3 formation again and again !!

All I hope is that once Ronaldinho will be gone (or even before), we'll use again some more balanced formation (4-3-3 is balanced with some conditions, 4-3-1-2 is more balanced even with a static midfield) ...

I don't care about the names of the players we buy, I care more about their favourite position/role in a team.

I agree. Ronaldinho was a great talent, but look what he's done to us. He forces us to ONLY play this 4-3-3 with our static midfield, it's not working. Not to mention how STATIC he is without the ball, he can't beat defenders anymore, he doesn't move, and Ibra does not like this system.

I have many critiques of what we should do but this formation and this choice of midfield is NUMERO UNO.

4-3-1-2 is only thing that makes sense to me at this time. Only other option which is not good but better is a 4-2-3-1 with Flamini and Prince staying PUT in the back with R80/R70/Ibra/Pato all up top... but I don't like that idea but anything is better than this 4-3-3 with gattuso pirlo...etc

I would buy Poli, Jucilei, and a LB (Coentrao) or another promising defender...any ideas?

Temporary Solution:

--------------------Amelia/Abbiati--------------------
----Zambrotta-----Nesta--T. Silva------Antonini-----
-----------Boateng----Pirlo----Flamini----------------
---------------------Robinho---------------------------
-----------------Pato---Ibrahimovic-------------------

Solution in January:

---------------------Amelia/Abbiati--------------------
Antonini/Zambro----Nesta--T. Silva----Coentrao/Bale--
------------Boateng----Jucilei----Flamini--------------
------------------------Robinho--------------------------------
-------------------Pato---Ibrahimovic-------------------------

Key Points:

* 3 Box to Box Midfielders
* Ibra as SUPPORT striker who's able to switch roles with Pato
* Pato plays as last man ..using his speed to his effectiveness playing off of Ibra
* Robinho with FREEDOM
* No Ronaldinho
* A strong LB with Antonini/Zambro rotated at RB


SUBS:
DF: Bonera, Yepes, Sokratis, Zambrotta, Abate, Jankulovski, Oddo, Onyewu
MF: Ambrosini, Pirlo, Poli, Merkel, Strasser
ST: Inzaghi, Paloschi, Oduamadi

SELL:
Ronaldinho, Seedorf, Gattuso

Release/Sell next Summer:
Jankulovski, Oddo, Bonera

Originally Posted by Nalx

Well, I'm a big fan of good players. I don't care if he's Dutch, or Brazilian, or Martian; if he adds some quality that we need then I'm all for him.

Couldn't agree more, Nalx.

Btw, confirmed by one of the best side-line Reporter in Brazil(Fernando Fernandes) at the Santos X Corinthians game last night. A group of Juve people(scouts, directors) were at the game yesterday to watch "The Monster" live. NO word of Milan people...

Good news: With the absence of Paulinho and Ralf, Jucilei played more deep, in a holder role and rarely goes forward.
Bad news: The first time he goes forward, set up Corinthains first goal with a amazing play.

Lets hope we don't miss on the Blackenbauer like we did with Hernanes. He was cheap in August(6 millions for Napoli, Dinamo Kiev, PSG and 8/10 M for us), but we never bid. Jucilei turned down some offers because he wants a big club. With Leo gone(as scout), I'm afraid we aren't even look at him...

Originally Posted by Reza

Name the place, I am jumping on the next flight

Originally Posted by Christian

A bit curious about this place myself to be honost.

Originally Posted by hitmannq8

Please no PMs guys, sharing is caring and that place we are all curious about... Brazilians are just off the charts... football-wise ofcourse

Not only one, but several places. To find Alessandra Type, you can go to Florianopolis parties in the summer(of Brazil), Campos do Jordão in the winter(of Brazil), Arraial D'ajuda, Trancoso(December 31), Porto Alegre any time, "Camarote Salvador" in Salvador Carnival and the list goes on...

Tell me the time you can come here, and I tell you the places to go. If you want a Alessandra Ambrosio type

OFF TOPIC:
Brasileiro I know you are going to like this Giuliano has been called up for the NT!!
But no Jucilei or Neymar...
It's a pity Marcelo and Hernanes weren't called up either

Goalkeepers:
Victor - Grêmio
Jefferson - Botafogo
Neto - Atlético Paranaense

Defenders:
Daniel Alves - Barcelona
Mariano - Fluminense
Thiago Silva - Milan
Alex Costa - Chelsea
David Luiz - Benfica
Rever - Atlético Mineiro
André Santos - Fenerbahçe
Adriano - Barcelona

Midfielders:
Lucas - Liverpool
Sandro - Tottenham Hotspur
Ramires - Chelsea
Elias - Corinthians
Wesley - Werder Bremen
Carlos Eduardo - Rubin Kazan
Giuliano - Internacional
Philippe Coutinho - Internazionale

Attckers:
Robinho - Milan
Alexandre Pato - Milan
Nilmar - Villareal
André - Dínamo Kiev

Roma's new signing Marco Borriello believes the penalties his side were denied in Brescia last night would have been given if it were Milan instead.

The Giallorossi lost 2-1 at the Rigamonti and felt the referee did them no favours, especially in light of Philippe Mexes' harsh sending off.

Interviewed on Sky Italia, Borriello said: “There were two, perhaps three penalties for us.

“These things never happened to us at Milan. [Last night] I understood the difference between playing for Roma and Milan.

“Anyway we are a great team and we will react. We know how to start again.

“To think that when Russo refereed a Milan match he even asked for my shirt. Now he won't even exchange a few words with me.”

Originally Posted by mrki

Tuttomercato says Bale's price is around 20mln euro... That is, in my oppinion, more then a good deal considering that man is one of the best wide players in the world, and is 20.

Spurs wouldn't sell Bale for 20 million euros, they turned down higher offers for him in the summer.

Don't forget that Spurs are playing Bale as a left-winger while they play Assou-Ekotto at left-back. Bale's defensive skills were a little questionable to begin with, but then he was moved further forward so now he doesn't have to worry too much about it, just on tracking back which he can do all day.

It's a nice idea and the kind of player we'd need (hard working), don't see it happening though.

Shame we didn't get Hernanes. A midfield of Flamini-Hernanes-Boateng would have been pretty decent.

Originally Posted by Pato Milan

OFF TOPIC:
Brasileiro I know you are going to like this Giuliano has been called up for the NT!!
But no Jucilei or Neymar...
It's a pity Marcelo and Hernanes weren't called up either

Goalkeepers:
Victor - Grêmio
Jefferson - Botafogo
Neto - Atlético Paranaense

Defenders:
Daniel Alves - Barcelona
Mariano - Fluminense
Thiago Silva - Milan
Alex Costa - Chelsea
David Luiz - Benfica
Rever - Atlético Mineiro
André Santos - Fenerbahçe
Adriano - Barcelona

Midfielders:
Lucas - Liverpool
Sandro - Tottenham Hotspur
Ramires - Chelsea
Elias - Corinthians
Wesley - Werder Bremen
Carlos Eduardo - Rubin Kazan
Giuliano - Internacional
Philippe Coutinho - Internazionale

Attckers:
Robinho - Milan
Alexandre Pato - Milan
Nilmar - Villareal
André - Dínamo Kiev

Yep, I'm happy for Giuliano. Let's hope he shows at senior Brazil NT the talent he displayed at under-20 and in Internacional.

Regarding Marcelo, I don't know if it has something to do with the fact he asked for a dismiss(because of injure) in the last call, and two day later was training with Real Madrid. I hope not, because it would be bad for Brazil and the player.

Hernanes maybe is to make room for Elias and Wesley call up.

Jucilei case is strange, because now he's playing even better(and is more hyped by the press) than when he was called up for the first time. But there are 2 facts maybe explain his absence. First, Mano is trying out a lot of players and called Elias and Wesley. Second, and related to Elias, Brasileirão don't stop for those friendlies(unlike Serie A, La Liga, EPL...), and since Mano wants to test Elias, I'm almost sure he didn't want to hurt even more Corinthians(leader of Brasileirão) calling Jucilei, too. It's probably the real reason...

Right now Mano is just in a experimental phase and it's hard to know what is his favorite group. A thing we will only know for sure next season. But one thing is becoming obvious, the players that I bold are clearly front runners. Also, keep in mind some of these players are for Olympic team...

P.S.The only big NO for me are in the Jeferson(GK) and in Rever(CB) choices.

Originally Posted by GeoTav

I hope we won't go for a player like Bale ... that would mean we plan to use this 4-3-3 formation again and again !!

All I hope is that once Ronaldinho will be gone (or even before), we'll use again some more balanced formation (4-3-3 is balanced with some conditions, 4-3-1-2 is more balanced even with a static midfield) ...

I don't care about the names of the players we buy, I care more about their favourite position/role in a team.

I dont agree Geo. Bale plays LM in 4-4-2, he also played LB for Tottenham. Now Ekotto is the LB, but Bale can do it. For a young player of such class there is no problem in developing some of his defending in a club like Milan. Its not like he is a defender without a head like Abate, he is just used in midfield right now becouse he contributes more to the team.

And also, it doesnt mean we'll play 4-3-3, why would it mean that? Bale can play in 4-3-1-2 without any problems. If Sergio could play LB for us, Bale for sure can. Not only that, he'll be the best attacking fullback in the world, Im 100% sure.

Maicon in Monaco... take a look at his defending 5,6 years ago etc.

PAstore - class

Borrielo's comments are disgusting..
typical behavour of a spoiled, not that talented and ungrateful player..

ps Pastore plays like he is,secretly, listening to his mp3 player, some classical music, at the same time..

Originally Posted by mrki

I dont agree Geo. Bale plays LM in 4-4-2, he also played LB for Tottenham. Now Ekotto is the LB, but Bale can do it. For a young player of such class there is no problem in developing some of his defending in a club like Milan. Its not like he is a defender without a head like Abate, he is just used in midfield right now becouse he contributes more to the team.

And also, it doesnt mean we'll play 4-3-3, why would it mean that? Bale can play in 4-3-1-2 without any problems. If Sergio could play LB for us, Bale for sure can. Not only that, he'll be the best attacking fullback in the world, Im 100% sure.

Maicon in Monaco... take a look at his defending 5,6 years ago etc.

PAstore - class

Well, Bale never was really impressive as a LB, and losing his place for Assou Ekoto means he wasn't good because Assou Ekoto is an average LB.

Bale seems to be amazing as a LM/LW, and I think with all these games he has played in midfield, he will now play his whole career in midfield. Furthermore, in England, a player like Bale can have a place in the midfield of all big clubs (Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United use this kind of player), so it's unlikely he will come to Milan to play as a LB I think.

If we take Bale to use him as a LB, it will mean we don't know what to do IMO, because instead of looking for a proper LB, we will take a LM/LW and force him to play behind ?!

Both for Milan and Bale, such a transfer should never happen, unless we want to have Bale to "replace" Ronaldinho on the left flank (with Bale instead of Ronaldinho, there would be less killer passes, but the team would be more balanced and Bale runs a lot more, so there would be one more solution when going forward). And in this case, that means we will still play a kind of 4-3-3, it's what I meant. I'm not for taking a player and use him in another position he's not used to (Bale is used to play as a LB but isn't good enough there), so when you say we could take Bale, I immediately think that if we take him, he'll be a LM/LW.

Not sure he can play in a 4-3-1-2.

About Maicon, it's a miracle, in Monaco, he was ridiculous, both in defence and going forward. He wasn't even really good physically. It's what I said once, I don't know who decided in Inter to take him, I don't know how they did to make him improve this way, but they have to get credit for that (just for that, 'cause Inter is full of "use any insult you like"). This kind of progression is unlikely to happen to any player.

And Pastore has to come in Milan to make the jump into the highest level of football (and also because he would allow us to be back at the highest level, both the club and the player win at the end ).

Originally Posted by mrki

I dont agree Geo. Bale plays LM in 4-4-2, he also played LB for Tottenham. Now Ekotto is the LB, but Bale can do it. For a young player of such class there is no problem in developing some of his defending in a club like Milan. Its not like he is a defender without a head like Abate, he is just used in midfield right now becouse he contributes more to the team.

And also, it doesnt mean we'll play 4-3-3, why would it mean that? Bale can play in 4-3-1-2 without any problems. If Sergio could play LB for us, Bale for sure can. Not only that, he'll be the best attacking fullback in the world, Im 100% sure.

Maicon in Monaco... take a look at his defending 5,6 years ago etc.

PAstore - class

Don't agree at all. He hardly ever plays LB for Tottenham, and when he has, most of the time he has been a weak point defensivly. Don't understand what you see in him that points to him being better at defending than actual LB's who are excellent going forward like Marcelo for one, or one of the million good wingers out there.

Not gonna say he can't be a good LB, cause he's very young, but so far he hasn't shown anything that suggests he's anything special as a LB, at least not worth buying from Tottenham for what they want for him.