Winter Mercato

Originally Posted by Roberto Baggio

Look at our squad it's that old and tired I'm fully convinced we need a serious makeover,C'mon that 2nd goal we conceded was a disgrace.Watching three statues and Dida's school boy error sorry but that's simply unacceptable.
How much longer do we have to watch this garbage served by our team?
Week in week out Gilardino has probably just pushed my patience to the extreme now and I've been a long time supporter of his,Borriello and Pippo have big question marks over them and Ronaldo is a star no doubt,but our attack is really in trouble.
As for our midfield it's been the same predictable set up for years now Ambro is no certainty but our only true threat in the air,Seedorf is far to unreliable,and there's far too much reliance on Kaka and Pirlo.
As for our defence Cafu,Il Capitano,Billy and Favalli are virtually on there last legs leaving a gaping gap at the back in depth also.
As for our keepers as far as I'm concerned Dida can go as can Kalac and Fiori,Stotari I really believe is someone we should hold on to.
And in summation we have to focus on youth or mid twenty year old players and some proven players.Too put all our eggs in the one basket for Ronaldinho would no way be wise,we can look at Pato,Robinho or quaresma for e.g.

Though I'll admit Maldini is getting old and doesn't have long left, he certainly isn't leaving "gaping gaps" at the back.

Against Bayern for example, for the 2 goals (Bayern's only chances), on the first he had pushed out a little to cover the left side of the box, the cross was way over his head to deal with and it was up to Nesta and Pirlo to handle Van Buyten in the centre. On the second goal Maldini was fouled (by Pizarro I think), and wasn't able to jump to head the ball (even the Pizarro couldn't reach it while climibing on the back of two players, so it's unlikely Maldini would have reached it anyway).

I don't get the criticism he's getting, because the only "poor" performance he can be said to have was against Inter, where he was playing injured and never had any support defensively from Janku (who imo creates a lot of mistakes defensively).

Right now, and all season I think Maldini has been by far our best defender. Nesta was atrocious when he played during the first half of the season, Bonera has only showed his quality since he was moved to central defence, where quite honestly I still don't think he's at the highest level yet (the Inter match highlighted this for me), though has a very bright future if he keeps developing. Oddo is defensively very average and quite frankly Janku is poor defensively.

Agreed. How much do we have to spend? Antonelli, Darmian, Di Gennaro, Donati, Aubameyang, Pozzi, & Marzoratti should be in the squad for next season. Billy, Simic, Favalli, Cafu, Serginho, Brocchi, Dida, Janku, Fiori, Kalac, Borreillo (long list), Inzaghi, Seedorf, & Oliviera should not wear our colours next year. That's 14 players who are either too old, not good enough, not good enough anymore, or deserve more chances with another team. Ridicoulous amount for any club let alone Milan. That lot could bring in around 25 millions if we are lucky. We need a quality left back, a sub rb, at least 12 midfielders on our roster next season, and 6 strikers. 2 more keepers - 1 of which is a 1st choice player. Not including the possible signing of Ronaldinho I'd go for Pato, Zambrotta, Lucas, Barusso, Buffon, & Toni.

The majority of those youth players will probably be loaned out. Although Galliani did say something about 3 youth team players joining the first team. The few with a chance of being called up are Antonelli(impressed at leftback), Di Gennaro(tearing up Primavera and our lack of AM options), Marzoratti(some Serie A experience and our lack of RB options). The others will most likely be loaned to Serie A/B teams.

Originally Posted by Tony75

Agreed. How much do we have to spend? Antonelli, Darmian, Di Gennaro, Donati, Aubameyang, Pozzi, & Marzoratti should be in the squad for next season. Billy, Simic, Favalli, Cafu, Serginho, Brocchi, Dida, Janku, Fiori, Kalac, Borreillo (long list), Inzaghi, Seedorf, & Oliviera should not wear our colours next year. That's 14 players who are either too old, not good enough, not good enough anymore, or deserve more chances with another team. Ridicoulous amount for any club let alone Milan. That lot could bring in around 25 millions if we are lucky. We need a quality left back, a sub rb, at least 12 midfielders on our roster next season, and 6 strikers. 2 more keepers - 1 of which is a 1st choice player. Not including the possible signing of Ronaldinho I'd go for Pato, Zambrotta, Lucas, Barusso, Buffon, & Toni.

let's not get carried away - the squad for Cl is limited to 25 players ... if we have 12 mids, 6 attackers and 3 GKs that doesn't exactly leaves much space for defenders .
A destribution like 3 GKs, 9 def, 9 mids and 4 forwards is the most balanced IMO, especially if one of the mids is a universal player like Mancini (just an example) who can play both as a wing and as a support striker, not to mention a wing-back too.

Right now we have 10-12 defenders many of whom are old and/or injury prone and 6-7 midfielders, which is definitely not enough in terms of flexibility in tactical options and proper rotation - kaka and Pirlo are overplayed and their contribution to the team deminishes as they lack freshness from playing in virtually all our games.

I think tony was using a little sarcasm with his player allocations Zlat

Though from his list i would keep Jankulovski. I think he's done enough to show he's a good squad player and lets not forget the points he's won us single-handedly this season Having said that, if we were after a very good player and the other team wanted Jankulovski as part of the deal, i wouldn't lose too much sleep about letting him go.

With the defence all over the place right now, it would be hard for anyone to look amazingly solid in our back four.

im surprised not many people here have mensioned Maresca that much, he came from the Milan youth team so he would be a great alternative to Ambrosini.

Tony 75 mensioned 14 players, and that didnt include Ambrosini. Im glad im not the only one picking up Oliviera..

Here's our current squad list.

GOALKEEPERS: Dida, Kalac, Fiori, Storari

DEFENDERS: Paolo Maldini; Bonera, Cafu, Costacurta, Favalli, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Nesta, Simic, Oddo, Grimi

MIDFIELDERS: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Kakà, Pirlo, Seedorf, Serginho.

STRIKERS: Borriello, Gilardino, Inzaghi, Ricardo Oliveira, Ronaldo

Going by Zlat's ratios here's my analysis of the squad. 3:9:9:4

Goalkeepers: Storari is decent backup to Dida and I guess Fiori will probably leave. That leaves us with: Dida, Storari, Kalac

Defenders:Costacurta is retiring and Maldini is also nearing retirement. Cafu is done, Favalli is pretty much useless and we haven't even seen Grimi play to know if he's adequate backup for LB. That leaves: Bonera,Janku,Kaladze,Nesta,Simic,Oddo. Definitely not enough for a team fighting on two fronts. If we could get a worldclass defender to replace Simic I wouldn't be upset. Also Janku/Oddo need decent backups in their positions. Add one versatily defender ala Stam and we're at our 9 defender goal.

Midfielders: Serginho is pretty much past it IMO. Seedorf can't perform day in day out although he's a decent squad player. We have Ambro, Brocchi, Gattuso, Pirlo, Gourcuff, Kaka, Seedorf. Pirlo and Kaka need decent backups to relieve them from constant duty. That'd bring us up to 9 midfielders(in keeping with Zlat's ratio.)

Strikers: Borriello is probably gone, Pippo is nearing retirement and Oliveira isn't good enough(in Carlo's eyes) to make the cut. That leaves Gila, Ronaldo. DEFINITELY not good enough for a squad like Milan. One world class striker and one striker with decent potential should be good enough to bring us to our 4 striker goal.

I'll leave other forum members to fill in the gaps where necessary(what players should be added..etc)

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

Though from his list i would keep Jankulovski. I think he's done enough to show he's a good squad player and lets not forget the points he's won us single-handedly this season Having said that, if we were after a very good player and the other team wanted Jankulovski as part of the deal, i wouldn't lose too much sleep about letting him go.

Agreed, I'd also like to see Janku pushed into left midfield more than being played as a wingback. I think given his attributes, he'd be better off starting further forward where he can really press the opponents right back and doesn't have to worry as much about his defensive duties.

i think to match mystics calls we need 2 CBs a sub RB a sub LB along with a backup for pirlo and other for kaka and 2 decent attackers
so i can humbly promote : 2CBs( ALEX and CHIVU )
a sub RB (MARZORATTI)
A sub-sub LB (antonelli)
pirlo's backup ( barusso)
kaka's backup (di gennaro)
2 CFs ( VILLA and HUNTELAAR)

I think that equation solves the ratio and the budget and the 3 youth players and also the non-euro problem knowing that those players are proven very effecient and young

players like Marzoratti, Antonelli and even barusso are promising and talented at best - not even close to proven and/or proven to be efficient.

The idea of giving space to youth players is nice and romantic, I guess, but as Gattuso put it "Milan has to always win, and win now, we do not have the luxury of time to give space and grow youngsters but need proven and established players" ... or something of the kind.

It's surprising how many people push for an influx of youth players into the 25-men senior team ... what's surprising is that these same people are anxious for Milan to return to winning ways and always win, no interruptions and they would be the first to blow the whistle when playing youngsters doesn't work out as expected.

Again, it's a touching idea to grow our own talent, and I am not necessarily against it, but the reality at a club like Milan simply won't allow it as management and above all the fans themselves are impatient when it comes to winning ... quite dif than what you would find at clubs like Ajax or Roma.

That's why you send them on loan till they have proven they have what it takes to come back. At the moment a few youth team players definitely won't solve the problem we have here. The only youth player I'd probably take into Milan now is maybe Di Gennaro because there isn't half as much pressure on a player in attack to perform than a player in defense.

no youth defenders then ok let's re-schedule it:
2CBs( ALEX and CHIVU )
RB (CICINHO)
LB sub (EMANUELSON/CHEILLINI)
pirlo sub ( ELANO/LUCHO GONZALEZ/MINEIRO/DUDU )
kaka sub ( MONTOLIVO/DI GENNARO )
2 CFs ( VILLA and HUNTELAAR)

please zlat < individual rating > not a general opinion about the post

Originally Posted by hishamilan

no youth defenders then ok let's re-schedule it:
2CBs( ALEX and CHIVU )
RB (CICINHO)
LB sub (EMANUELSON/CHEILLINI)
pirlo sub ( ELANO/LUCHO GONZALEZ/MINEIRO/DUDU )
kaka sub ( MONTOLIVO/DI GENNARO )
2 CFs ( VILLA and HUNTELAAR)

Alex and Chivu are the 2 cb I would like to see at Milan as they offer dif qualities from one another. IMO two of the best 5-6 CD def around.
A more realistic option would be to get one of those two + Cannavaro, if Maldini retires that is ... if not, I think we would be fine with one new CB, one of Alex or Chivu, preferrably.

Cicinho - won't cut it at RB IMO ... his position should be right wing-back or right attacking mid and not a ful Right back as his defensive qualities are bad to average and is constantly caught out of position on the right side.

Lucho and Dudu are pretty good options for Center mid ... Elano I think would be better in the gattuso role as his strength is also going forward and building attacks - has a very good cross and shot. A similar player I like is Tiago (Lyon).

Montolivo is more suitable for a Pirlo role in the midfieldbut I'd rather wait some time before going for him as now he is bound to sit on the bench and right now he needs to play and develop. Would turn into a fine player IMO ... eventually.

Di Gennaro - needs to play. Best thing would be to be loaned out IMO ... it's not in his or Milan's interest for him to sit on the bench. Great promise and talent in this player ... with the proper grooming, could become something very special.

Huntelaar is my #1 choice to replace Pippo ... a real hunter in the PA and has very good technique too so he is excellent in taking part in the build up not just scoring goals. A player I would like to see in Milan although he is relatively unproven at a more serious level of football ... he has some fine qualities, though.

Villa - excellent all-around forward but would cost A LOT - Dinho range type of money (read at least 40 mil) - so I don't really consider him even a semi-realistic option. I think we could build a great strike force with half the money Villa would cost us.

EDIT:
forgot the LB position:
Emanuelson - good player, could be an alternative to Serginho, but can't say he is a dream signing of mine. would be a good signing considering his young age and what he's shown so far.

Chiellini - I have nevr been a fan of his. He is physically strong but seems a bit too cumbersome and seems to lack speed in short distances ... would be easy prey for quick and agile wingers. Good at crossong though.
I doubt Juve will sell him just yet ... an if they ever do, it would mean he didn't turn out to be what they expected of him.

Other alternatives for LB - Pasqual, Zambrotta, Abidal, Riijse, Heinze.