Winter Mercato 2011

Boating is pretty solid.

Anyhow, Toni is a temp fix and nothing more. Cassano coming does not mean Pato is leaving.

Cassano at his younger years was a striker, a second striker to be more specific. Growing up he came through a few problems at several clubs, but he always has been a second striker at club level. For Italy he played as a trequartista in Euro 2004 (or was it second striker?). I think the first time he has played as a true trequartista was with Prandelli's Italy, and that was only for 3-4 games where he impressed on an attacking level but not so much on the defensive. It's still unknown whether Cassano can play as a trequartista or not, because that role requires a lot of work rate, probably the most along with the defensive midfielder position...so I am not sure he is the one for that spot.

In conclusion, Cassano is a second striker, exactly what Robinho is. Pato and Ibra are also second strikers that can both play as center forwards. Cassano, Robinho and Ibra were all bought in the last 5 months, both Binho and Ibra have impressed so much and seem dedicated to the Milan cause. Cassano also looks like he will impress because it is his last chance here, there's no denying his talent, it's just that little head of his that can cause a problem.

This brings us to Pato, who was bought for 22m, was here for 3 years, and has spent the most of the last year on the sidelines. Milan in recent years has been very tight on budget, and all of sudden went crazy and splashed at the end of the market. We also seem to be willing to splash alot more in 2011 when a lot of players contracts expire. Also, with the financial fair play rules coming in, Milan does not really generate alot of income because we do not own the San Siro, so it will be hard to spend alot in the market in the future. Selling Pato for a good 70m will give us a very good budget to use in the future and it seems as the most likely scenario. That's from the financial aspect, and from Pato's aspect - he's 21 - he needs to play consistently - he's competing for two spots against 3 players who each are leaders and captains of their national teams - and all of which have joined Milan in the last 5 months. Potentially, Pato is better than all of them, but I fear that Milan have lost their patience with all the time he spends on the sidelines and the investment they spent in him, so they want to do the smart thing and get as much cash as they can from him at the right time (a la Kaka).

Selling Pato for 70m and bringing in Balotelli (the future of Italy) for about 30 seems to the most likely scenario. Personally if I was in charge, I would leave my striker department as is and not buy Toni or whoever, and make a decision in the summer of 2012 about whether I want to keep Pato or not. I know he has the potential to be the world's best, and if we were to sell him I'd like to do it at a point where he is the world's best and we can get a crazy 100m fee for him.

Pato could potentially be the fourth choice striker depending on form. His work-effort is also nothing like Ibra or Robinhos. And that, is why I think Cassano to Milan could mean the end of Pato in Milan..especially for a large enough fee that can reinforce our entire team for the next decade.

I'd love to know where people are getting this opinion that the club are loosing patience with Pato. It's ridicolous.

Pato on form is better than all 3 of Ibra, Cassano, & Robinho, and only Ibra is the clear leader for Sweden compared to the other 2.

No way would we get Balotelli for 30 mill.

We don't go crazy at end of market either. We only spent on Robinho and got the option for Ibra which should be covered with the saved wages of players like Janku, R80, etc.

Pato is our future and as soon as his growth spurts stop you'll see a player with limited injury worries, barring the club putting him on a crazy fitness regime not suited for his body type ie his ligaments and tendons not being able to cope.

As for work-rate I think that Ibra, Robinho & Cassano know that they are in last chance saloon for big clubs and maybe winning something so have to work harder. Pato's effort will come when he grows a bit more.

Balloteli is a disgrace of a football player. I would have a heart attack if a loser like him joins a prestigious club like AC Milan. Even if Pato is sold (which I doubt big times ) the replacement must be any 2 out of Dzeko, Nilmar & Rossi. If Balloteli had slight bit of qualities, the greatest coach of modern era wouldn't have kicked him out of the team for a mediocre player like Pandev

I agree with last two posts.

However, saying "Pato's effort will come when he grows more" sounds silly. He needs to work more on the last defender, play as a number 9, but even Inzaghi runs and works more.

In regards to addition of Cassano, I don't link that with Pato's effort. I place our strikers in this way:

Ibra
Robinho
Cassano
--------------
Pato
Inzaghi


I don't like Cassano coming as we already have 2 World Class Second Strikers. I'm still very confused as to why he's here. We need another number 9 as Inzaghi is gone soon, and Pato's always injured. Also, Ibra always plays better when he plays off of a big strong penalty box striker (Adriano)...

I would have preferred Matri, Roque Santa Cruz, or Dzeko ()

The idea is when Inzaghi leaves to have 2 #9 style strikers and 2 Second Strikers

Having 3 Second Strikers and 2 Penalty Box strikers may not be the best thing, as someone will be unhappy.

Originally Posted by mzk57

Balloteli is a disgrace of a football player. I would have a heart attack if a loser like him joins a prestigious club like AC Milan. Even if Pato is sold (which I doubt big times ) the replacement must be any 2 out of Dzeko, Nilmar & Rossi. If Balloteli had slight bit of qualities, the greatest coach of modern era wouldn't have kicked him out of the team for a mediocre player like Pandev

Whats this talk for? What are you basing this on, he is a discrace? Please he is world class.

Balotelli is compard to Pato? Who is Balotelli except player who always makes problem without performance? We give a true gold in Pato for a non-existing player like Balotelli? Even in small club like Manchester City he can only scores in second tier championship ala Cup.

Ibra makes problem but he gives result for the team. Pato has been injured often but he still scored when he came from injury. I doubt Balotelli scored/assisted as many as Pato even Pato spent most of his time sideline every year.

Pato is still young and giving up our trust in a still-so-young player like him is terrible decision. We haven't even get the best from Pato (not like Kaka).

I really don't see any reason to question Pato. He's often described as a second striker, which is a role he can do, but he's good enough to play as an out and out goalscorer and play it to a very high level (statistically you can argue he's better in this position).

At 21, he needs to mature, which is natural for all people at that age, but as long as he's dedicated he won't have any problems. His dedication until now cannot really be questioned either, despite some rumours that have supposedly flying around. He's never been in trouble with regards to training and has always maintained he will be available to do as coaches require.

Under Ancelotti he never had a fixed role and was used in a variety of positions. He had an excellent relationship with Ancelotti and has always held him in high esteem. Under Leo, he was prepared to play a role he wasn't keen on (Ancelotti said this last season) and did so all through last season (again his rapport with the coach being very good). This season under Allegri, he's not had much chance to really get to know Allegri's ideas due to injuries. That said, he's always spoken well of Allegri and likewise Allegri has never spoken of him in a manner to suggest there are any problems at all. Even if there were questions about his workrate on the pitch, in his last competitive match against Palermo he was working hard and tracked back frequently before getting injured.

The player himself also seems to have a good relationship with teammates. The only time there has been suggestion he's had any sort of problem was when Ambro spoke about him needing to mature earlier this season. That said if I remember correctly Ambro was specifically asked about him. Also, he's said to be a fairly quiet and shy character off the pitch, not so much of a trouble maker.

Injuries have been the big question over the past year, but if the club are prepared to have him tested in America in a specialist clinic, then I'd take a guess they're pretty dedicated to getting him fit and injury-free, rather than being prepared to give in and sell him.

Finally, we got Ibra, a selfish player and an obnoxious character last summer. We got Boateng who has a history of problems, and now Cassano who is pretty much plain insane. There's also plenty of talk of wanting Balotelli too, another player who for all his talent is as big an idiot as they come. If Allegri is willing to put up with such characters in his dressing room and even manage to get them to dedicate themselves to his way of thinking, then I can't imagine he wouldn't want Pato, who is potentially better than all of these players.

That's true. We are gathering a group of nutters. Ibra, Robinho, Cassano...add Balotelli and maybe We need Maradona to come in as an assistant. Or Vinnie Jones.

It looks like our team will be the following next year:

Strikers: Ibrahimovic, Balotelli, Inzaghi, Pato, Robinho, Cassano
ACM: Lamela, Constant, Boateng
Midfielders: Lazzari, Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Flamini, Strasser, Merkel
Defenders: Nesta, Thiago Silva, Mexes, Bonera, Zambrotta, Antonini, Abate, Criscito, Montelongo
Goalkeepers: Abbiati, Amelia

27 players (15 Italian)

Average age: 27,63

Six strikers all expecting to play? Could be trouble

Originally Posted by gregorio

It looks like our team will be the following next year:

Strikers: Ibrahimovic, Balotelli, Inzaghi, Pato, Robinho, Cassano
ACM: Lamela, Constant, Boateng
Midfielders: Lazzari, Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Flamini, Strasser, Merkel
Defenders: Nesta, Thiago Silva, Mexes, Bonera, Zambrotta, Antonini, Abate, Criscito, Montelongo
Goalkeepers: Abbiati, Amelia

27 players (15 Italian)

Average age: 27,63

I agree with Dae. 6 strikers and none of them average. In a 4-3-1-2 only 2 of them play. Will not work. Robinho, Cassano, and Balotelli will not be on bench, they simply won't.

Also, I agree with Dev (ACMilan). Balotelli, Ibra, Cassano, Boateng, you're asking for trouble. Robinho I don't think is a troublemaker, and Pato has never been, even as an 18 year old. Pato may want to leave though if he's on bench. However, for the majority of us, Pato is a starter even with those strikers, and the foundation of our future team.

Lastly, I've said this many times, but I MUCH prefer Pato-Ibra. Pato is a great and will be even greater as a #9 Penalty Box Striker. Also, Ibra likes when he can roam around the 18 yard-box and play in a free role. For this, Cassano and Robinho will be playing footsies with each other on the bench. Balotelli would be a replacement for Pato, but he would never want to be, thus causing problems. For the money spent on Balotelli, we should buy Coentrao, Lazzari, and an ACM.

Mexes Sucks, end of story. He will not be our Nesta replacement.

Originally Posted by mzk57

Balloteli is a disgrace of a football player. I would have a heart attack if a loser like him joins a prestigious club like AC Milan. Even if Pato is sold (which I doubt big times ) the replacement must be any 2 out of Dzeko, Nilmar & Rossi. If Balloteli had slight bit of qualities, the greatest coach of modern era wouldn't have kicked him out of the team for a mediocre player like Pandev

There are million times better young strikers out there than Nilmar and Rossi. How the heck that you called them definite replacements of Pato, I'd say Lukaku, BALOTELLI, Neymar, and Paloschi are much more suitable replacement.

Originally Posted by Dae

Six strikers all expecting to play? Could be trouble

Inzaghi won't expect to play. Balotelli won't come next summer, And Elmago, what's up with Boateng, are you implying he's a troublemaker, because I don't see him as one.

Originally Posted by ZvonimirBoban

And Elmago, what's up with Boateng, are you implying he's a troublemaker, because I don't see him as one.

Boateng made trouble in England, and even admitted doing so (check the thread on Boateng for the quote)... however I agree he's not been at all a troublemaker in Milan.

However, he was the most important player IMO for Ghana this past World Cup. He played as an ACM who was all over the field. I doubt he'll want to sit around on the bench, if we do indeed get Lamela, Lazzari, etc. Furthermore, if Cassano, Ibra, Balotelli, or anyone else is causing trouble in the lockeroom, I see Boateng as potentially putting his two sense in, as he doesn't seem to backdown.

So far, he's been great and has shown a great attitude for the team. My overall point is that if you have a lot of guys who have ego's, you could have a bad situation, and even guys who normally stay quiet (Pirlo) can get upset. Gattuso also is never shy to speak his mind. We're doing well this season, and I do not want this to happen, this is why I was opposed to Cassano and will be opposed to Balotelli. We don't need our version of the Galacticos.... I want a unified squad, ready to win multiple CL's and Scudetti!!!!

What's wrong with Ibra, Pato, Robinho, Inzaghi (and then replacement)????

Ibra-Pato is potentially the best striking partnership in the world, so enough with the Pato sale already.

As for Cassano, i think he might well be brought to replace Robinho:
- they play in the same position
- Robinho is wanted by Santos and he wanted to join Santos before Milan came in for him
- we want someone from Santos (Ganso)
- we can exchange him with Ganso for probably the same price we bought him for (20Mio) or +5Mio if need be

Then we will have Ibra (financed totally by the sale of Boriello & Huntelaar, maybe with some change left), Pato, Cassano, Ganso, and Inzaghi/Paloschi all for a total cost of 20-25Mio

As for Balotelli, he is an excellent talent no doubt, but he could probably be the most abnoxious player there is, so unless he works on that (or Allegri turns out to be a super therapist), I think he would do more harm than good if he comes...so no for me ...for now