Winter Mercato 2011

Originally Posted by mrki

Brasiliero my friend! How are you? Things ok in there?

Also hello to all the people in here.... I was out for some time, but was following mercato as always

I´m very good, my friend. Very busy, so I´m more of a reader nowadays.
But i´m always here looking for the news...

BRasiliero - we cannot expect attacking things from Criscito as we can from MArcelo, it due to the raw talent Marcelo as a attacking player has. But maybe Criscito's football education, as a classic italian fullback can build a great defensive fullback from him, and that is what I personally want from Milan fullbacks. If Milan managment thinks we can make a serious player out of Criscito, they should go for it...

I agree, and thats was my point. Last season I was disapointed after read here about Criscito and watch him playing... a small center-back playing fullback.

But this season he´s showing some nices moves going forward. I think with a more offensive oriented coach he can improve even more. Regarding the classic Italian FB, I hope Crscito can do more. Not everyone is a Maldini, and defensive FB will not be that good for our scheme.

Now Im waiting for the official news that Ganso is our new AM

Me too, but the news from Brazil aren t that good.

Originally Posted by Gabriel489

On top of that Santacroce can play as RB

Until now, that was the only position I saw Fabiano playing good.
I´m still waiting to see him performing as pure CB.

Originally Posted by Hasan Rossonero

Galliani: "We're talking to Preziosi about Criscito." Gazzetta.

Yep, he was in Brazil trying to puchaze Zé Eduardo from Santos. Very good young player if you ask me. If he put it toghether, Zé Eduardo will be a steal for Genoa...

Today Milan linked with Lassana Diarra.
http://translate.google.com/translat...u=milannews.it

Not good news for us as far as getting Jucilei. Also we're linked today with Santacroce.

Interesting how we're not linked with "selling" any players. I guess we'll just let all these idiots make it to end of their contracts, then release them.

What ever happened with Fulham's offer for Bonera? I guess after that Udinese performance, not even an MLS team will want him

Santacroce's a risk if I'm honest. A couple of years ago I said that unless something seriously goes wrong this guy will be one of the world's top CBs. Unfortunately, since then injuries and lack of matches have decimated his career. Not only has he not developed, but I fear he may not be as good as he was. If the price is right, then I'd happily take a risk with him, but only on the cheap.

Criscito for me is a worthwhile purchase. He's a good player and has developed well in the last couple of years. If we get him, then I'm sure he could be developed into a top fullback for us, and for me it's no coincidence that he's a starter for Italy, despite there being many defenders around the same age all vying for a position.

I would be happy with Criscito and Santacroce as our purchases. Santacroce if he can get his career back on track is an amazing acquisition. Criscito will be a definite starter and if Nesta is injured he can be a high quality replacement if needed.

About our midfield, I'm afraid Van Bommel could really arrive despite Galliani denying it ... The guy and his agent (Raiola) said it was possible and the player said we are interested. I really don't want him here, no matter how he performs.

Another rumour that wasn't mentionned on the forum is we're linked with Sirigu !! Sirigu is one of the best young GK in Italy and he could become a great player in some years ... If this link is real, that probably means that Amelia won't be kept, but we won't take an old GK, we will take a player for the future, a guy who would slowly take the place of Abbiati in our first team. I'm 100% for this move !!

Honestly, for me, while I rate Santacroce very highly, I'm not sure how much I'd rely on him, as far as a potential starter or not. Why? Well, first of all when he's played CB its usually been in a back 3 and his job at RB or RCB has both been impressive, but, I'm not sure how good of a pure RB he would be either.

However, the talent is there, I think it's true. I think he's worth a shot, especially as his value has dipped dramatically because of injuries and lack of playing time. However, I don't see this as a problem, just an opportunity for us to perhaps take a lower risk on a player and also provide him with a chance to enter into Milan with less pressure and more patience.

As far as Crisicito, I think the fact that he's playing been playing as LWB in a 3-4-3 is a big part of the problem in assessing how he would do for us. However, at the same time, he's also part of a team that has the best defense in Serie A, right now. Granted, it's also a low-scoring (13 goals, bottom is 12) team. However, I don't think he's nearly as over rated as Coentrao. I mean, honestly, the kid has promise, no doubt, but I'd be wary to spend 20 million on a FB. If Crisicito comes in at 15, that would make me question his price, but I think the risk involved with Crisicito is smaller because of his Serie A experience.

Mexes is the type of defender that makes his partner look a lot better and does the sort of aggressive work that would suit a pairing with Nesta very well, and would provide more time and I think a great foil to a defender like Thiago. He's physically strong and has the athleticism to match, I think if he came, I'd be very happy.

Finally, I just question the point of grabbing every player that we can call "Milan Material" or "World Class." I was looking at another Milan forum, and this was a constant theme (and it was one here for a little bit, as well). Mourinho, who I respect but dislike, I remember underlined the fact that an effective team is made up of parts that work together, rather than simple glamorous combination. For instance, you can easily put a million HP engine in a car, but it will be wasted because the wheels won't physically be able to handle that power.

The point is that for every CR7, Kaka, and Ronaldinho there is a Fletcher, Gattuso, and Makelele. These players are important, and I remember a certain Giuseppe Pancaro who did a great job for us on our left, and I don't think anyone would have called him Milan material.

I think there is undeniable talent in Jucelei, Honda, Coentrao, and other big names that we are linked with. The key is to grab the "star" names that we need, rather than simply grabbing all of them. Furthermore, it's also in Milan's character to take players a make them stars. Gattuso, Pirlo are but few of the examples, and I think Abate has the potential to follow in their footsteps.

Does crisicito improve a lot this season? his performance in the world cup is almost a disaster, zambrotta looked better at that time.18 milion for him, I'd rather spend 28 million for coentrao, or some wingers like drente or constant and convert them to play fullback.

La Gazetta dello sport of today says interesting things about Criscito, Mimmo looks closer to us, Lazzari's pressing to Cellino. i dont think that Milan can spend 18 m euros for Criscito n however its more logical, 5 m euros plus one player for his co-ownership. (No Maxwell because of Non Eu Status)

Preziosi on Criscito >>Siamo praticamente sotto assedio da parte piu squadre. Noi pero abbiamo un problema. Antonelli é bloccato, lui é arrivato ance come possible sostituto di Criscito, non potremmo permeterci di ritrovarci con il solo Moretti in quel ruolo per mesi, insomma, molto difficilmente ci priveremo di Criscito>>>

id be doing nani backflips if we get crescito & santcroce hes one of the future great center backs of italy ! ( italian's consider santacroce italian ) ive herd of rodrigro ely haven't seen him play tho , i know him by name tho tall black dude from gremio scolari's old squad , our back 4 would be set for the next 4 - 5 years no joke look for a example ( D.Crescito early 20's ) ---- ( T.Silva 27 ) ---- ( F. Santacroce Mid 20's ) --- ( I.Abate early 20's ) alott of speed and pressing i hope this is true this is like disneyland ! , we can press alott more & back track we would look like barcelona honestly , even set up this back 4 on fifa & we would would look a bunch of trackstars no lie ! , hope for the best people !

Milan are linking with:
- Criscito
- Santacroce
- Ogbonna of Torino
- Pocognoli of Standard Liège

They all can play left-back (maybe Santacroce can ). 3 italians and 1 italian-origin.

Originally Posted by will4li

Does crisicito improve a lot this season? his performance in the world cup is almost a disaster, zambrotta looked better at that time.18 milion for him, I'd rather spend 28 million for coentrao, or some wingers like drente or constant and convert them to play fullback.

Italy at the world cup was a complete disaster and therefore individuals really shouldn't be judged in it. Criscito is a good player, solid defensively and decent going forward. He needs to be given the right opportunities though. At Juve, he had no space and was still young, so moved to Genoa, where he's really developing well and has come a long way in the past couple of years. He's also without a doubt better than Antonini.

A general question but does anyone have a source for the Santacroce rumours. I've heard he's apparently linked to us, but I've not seen it at all.

Forget about Pocognoli, please ..
Next to him Antonini looks like Serginho.

Originally Posted by ACMILAN1983

A general question but does anyone have a source for the Santacroce rumours. I've heard he's apparently linked to us, but I've not seen it at all.

it was on milannews.it

I was very impressed a few years ago with santacroce, I would like to have him at Milan, he has a lot of talent. but then I ask myself, why doesnt he get any minutes at all these days?

Criscito would be a nice move, young, italian and a big improvent on antonini. Though someone like Coentrao wouldve been better, they could really take our team to a next level. I mean, fullbacks with such attacking skills can bring a team so much, a new cafu era

2,5 years ago, in summer mercato for 2009-2010, we discussed a lot about which CB Milan should sign among: Mexes, Agger, Santacroce, Zapater,...

Now we know none of them are world class. Santacroce reminds me of Di Silvestri, very high expectation but couldn't make it. Maybe there is still something in him, but he needs time and can we wait for him? If the transfer fee is less than 5M, we should give him a chance.

I think injury played a big part in Santacroce development. Another factor is coaching, as Napoli did went through a few coaches with different formations over the past few years.

To me, I still rate Santacroce over Bonnucci and Racchionia.