Winter Mercato 2011

Originally Posted by mzk57

Don't get me wrong, I respect you opinion, but how can you say Zidane is better than Xavi? If Xavi has world class players around him, then so did Zidane. Deschamp, Vieira, Makelele will always be remembered as among the best DM of the last 2 decades. Then there were the likes of Petit, Pires, & Ribbery. And of-course the partnership of Henry & Trezeguet upfront. You can't ask for more than that. I personally think Zidane is over ratted to some extent with all due respect to him. Xavi is slightly better than him & more importantly his consistency is amazing. I used to see Real Madrid matches almost every weekend when they had Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo etc & honestly, Zidane's last 3 years at Real (out of 5) produced nothing special. He was just hot & cold, hit & miss.

As for Pirlo, it simple, both are 30 years old & look at the difference between them. Pirlo's period was 2002-07, its over now. Pirlo is hardly doing any good these days & Xavi is producing match winning battles on every weekend. You see how simply a clown like Par Ji Sung out played Pirlo last year. It was embarrassing to see. Have you ever seen any one man marking Xavi completely out of the game? Be honest & I am sure your answer will be 'no'. On the other hand, all the opposition coach has to do is to man-mark Pirlo & it then he looks like a lost kid on the field. A true great midfielder shouldn't be man marked that easily & successfully out of the game.

My point is simple, if the list of best midfielders is made, Xavi should be at least above Zidane & Pirlo

Zidane in '98 didn't have any real world class attacking talents with him, and this was my point, he had much more responsibility in that side than Xavi has ever had. In 2006, France were a shambolic team and Zidane took the responsiblity to essentially manage the side in the world cup. Both of these teams had some great players, but without Zidane it is very unlikely either team would have had it's success. Xavi is a consistent player, but to compare his consistency to Zidane's latter years in the Galacticos is a pointless argument, especially when you consider the state and differences of their respective sides. It's difficult to compare 2 players from different eras who played different roles, but from an individual perspective, I see Zidane as a superior player to Xavi, although Xavi fits better into the current Barca set up than Zidane would.

Pirlo and Xavi also shouldn't be compared. As Geo said it's difficult to compare 2 players in different positions. More pressing is also Pirlo has been playing in a poor Milan side for a few years now, normally in a role that's left him exposed to opposition counters. I have absoloutely no doubt that Xavi in the same position would suffer just as much (if not more). To say Pirlo isn't doing good anymore is an incorrect statement. Pirlo, as an individual is still as useful as ever and this is evident in his statistics when he plays. Man Utd's success in marking out him last season was a weakness in our collective system, and not something that can and should be attributed to Pirlo alone. Xavi has never been put in a position like this and therefore we never see him suffer this way. It's not just down to Xavi that he's successful, but a big aspect must be attributed to the fact that he plays in a superb team which works well within it's system. Same goes for Pirlo, who always played within a system with good players at his best. This all means we have to compare Xavi and Pirlo as I did Xavi and Zidane, in their individual skills and qualities. In this respect, I really don't feel Xavi is at all superior to Pirlo.

Personally, unless Pirlo plays in the ATM spot, he is not going to play at all, as the three DMs/CMs are what Milan needs as long as Ibra is controlling the play upfront.

IMO, Pirlo's position on the field is very unique and it is a position that did not have any other players who played before him. As his plays in thhe DM spot, right in front of the defense, but yet he is not a defensive stopper, rather he is a passer/distributer of the team. He is not a CM as he does not run box to box, rather he sits just outside the box to make passes to left and right. The closest players I could think of are guys like Zico and Socartes in the 80s for Brazil as both of them just switch their Midfield role in the games as they Were just that talented. Thus, really no point comparing Porlo as he is just very unique, kind of like Ibra too, someone who has the size and skill of a crashing/power CF but plays like a no. 10.

As for Xavi, he is a textbook CM. Someone who runs box to box and make pass...

Very interesting debate and I actually agree with all sides of the argument.

Xavi DOES have phenomenal players around him who "move" off the ball constantly. I also tend to think Zidane had some pretty good players himself, but not the level of today and yesterday's Barcelona.

Pirlo does not have players who run off the ball, but neither does he (something xavi does do).... Xavi scores more often than Pirlo.

Very complicated debate, but I do think Pirlo is finished or close to it. I'd be very surprised if he can all of a sudden lift his level to 02-07.

As for Transfer Rumors which is what this thread it about, we certainly have a lot.

I do not want Balotelli, Cassano.

I'd prob rather Roque Santa Cruz. Then Ganso, Jucilei, D. Luiz, and Coentrao

We seem to not be linked with Jucilei anymore. Probably Milan feels their midfield is strong. I don't know why we're linked with so many attackers. We only need 1 striker, and 1 ACM. Then FB's and a CB!

I think Jucelei will come to Milan in winter and once Pirlo is gone, Hernanes will come too. Add David Luiz at the back and Ganso upfront. u pretty much have Wc14 team of Brazil. Maybe once Real signs Bale, they will let Milan sign Marcelo.

On another note, I just realize that Butt is playing for my local team in HK. Wonders if other wash-up players will begin coming to HK for one season. maybe in a few yrs, I will get to se Sheva plays live week in and week out.

Originally Posted by Gabriel489

I think Jucelei will come to Milan in winter and once Pirlo is gone, Hernanes will come too. Add David Luiz at the back and Ganso upfront. u pretty much have Wc14 team of Brazil. Maybe once Real signs Bale, they will let Milan sign Marcelo.

I doubt we'll get all of those Brazilians.

We will probably get Santa Cruz, as he will be on loan, and then we can make a better decision in the Summer...

Xavi is great a fantastic player world class no doubt...BUT but Zizou is better.

I think Santa Cruz as a free may be an option but has he played for City in the Europa ??? we need someone who can impact in Europe and there honestly is no better option than Pippo nobody does what he does in Europe .Im liking the rumours and do believe that in the next 10 months we'll change alot but stay the same play wise and be set for 5-6 years even Ibra he can stay forever...

wow were really heavily linked to balotelli.. no joke .. if we end up getting him how does that help our cam situation out.. robinho/r80/seedorf ibra/pato/balotelli
3 wc strikers is alot to rotate around hes an amazing player though..
i hope we do get hims omewhat- along with david luiz

I want in this order:

1. Coentrao
2. Ganso
3. Matri
4. Jucilei
5. Balotelli

*Not convinced on D. Luiz yet..

brasileiro..what do you think of Luiz? Sure we can find an Italian defender cheaper and as good as him,.. no??

Galliani on the official website said that if milan will move, it will be on a striker, and the striker will have to be EU because of the new regulations by Serie A. He literally said "if we buy a striker, he will hold an EU passport".

I dont understand - I thought Robinho has a Spanish passport and we still have a Non-EU spot free? Was Galliani doing that on purpose to trick the reporters? Or has Galliani already signed a Non-EU player for midfield/defence? Or have we already used the Non-EU spot on some crap player like Adiyiah (maybe Rodrigo Ely)?

Originally Posted by hitmannq8

Galliani on the official website said that if milan will move, it will be on a striker, and the striker will have to be EU because of the new regulations by Serie A. He literally said "if we buy a striker, he will hold an EU passport".

I dont understand - I thought Robinho has a Spanish passport and we still have a Non-EU spot free? Was Galliani doing that on purpose to trick the reporters? Or has Galliani already signed a Non-EU player for midfield/defence? Or have we already used the Non-EU spot on some crap player like Adiyiah (maybe Rodrigo Ely)?

Yea I'm just as confused as you now. Robinho has spanish passport, so we have the EU spot open!

I usually don't get excited or depressed at whatever Galliani says.

Well, I think Galli learned his lesson about always saving a non EU spot. Beside, Milan needs a 4th choice striker and probably will someone quite average instead of a top stud. Wasting a non EU spot on a part time player is just stupid. I guess he finally learned his lesson from the past.

Originally Posted by Elmago99

I want in this order:

1. Coentrao
2. Ganso
3. Matri
4. Jucilei
5. Balotelli

*Not convinced on D. Luiz yet..

brasileiro..what do you think of Luiz? Sure we can find an Italian defender cheaper and as good as him,.. no??

You don't see a new CB as vital? If Nesta leaves a CB will be top priority imo.