World Cup Scouting

Originally Posted by lana

This is a thread to highlight players that Milan can buy based on their performances in the world Cup.

The first player I have 'scouted' is Yaya Toure of Ivory Coast.

I thought he had a very good game against Argentina, possibly a very good candidate to be Seedorf/Pirlo's successor.

Buying player based on world cup performances is retarded to put it simply. they are in a special enviroment, we talk about a few games and they can go on form alone. The list of failed transfers of world cup "sensations" is long.

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

You can't compare Sneijder and Schwiensteiger as they play in different positions. Robben is more like Schwiensteiger than Sneijder is. You don't see Germany playing Schwiensteiger in the centre of midfield do you ? No, he plays on the left wing, just like Robben.

Schwiensteiger is more combative than Robben, alot tougher. But is he really tough enough to play in our midfield ? I don't think he is. Further forward maybe, but not the right type of player for Seedorf's position.

Actually, Schwein is a very versatile player. this guy can play anywhere in midfield. He seems to be at his best on the wings, but either of Seedorf's or Gattuso's positions would suit him great in Milan's romb system. He could do well in kaka's position too I think.
At Bayern he's been played all over the midfield and also both as a RB and LB too in emergencies. If there are any young players out there who would be worthy of coming to Milan, he's got to there on a very short list. Problem he is a German on a long-term (I am guessing here) contract with Bayern and that's hardly been a good sign for an easy move unless some crazy offer comes Bayern's way.

schwein is a good player, i also like his shooting ability, but i love this podolski guy, he has a nice left foot on him, too bad bayern signed him, klose.. now that guy is a finisher, he already has 2 goals, last WC he scored around 6... and he did good in the CL, if pippo ever leaves us I would like it if we can get this guy

I don't doubt his versatility Zlatanov, i just can't believe he would be strong enough physically to play any part in our midfield 3. Kaka's position or off of a striker, yes, he'd be great ... something i've already mentioned. But come on, if we were up against a strong, physical opposition's midfield, a midfield 3 of Schwienstieger, Pirlo and Gattuso would not be strong enough.

For these positions we surely need midfielders with ability and strength, not wide players. We already get out muscled by alot of teams because Seedorf and Pirlo just don't cut it physically, yet people want to replace these midfield areas with Joaquin, Robben and now Schwienstieger ... it just really puzzles me how people can think this would make us stronger

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

I don't doubt his versatility Zlatanov, i just can't believe he would be strong enough physically to play any part in our midfield 3. Kaka's position or off of a striker, yes, he'd be great ... something i've already mentioned. But come on, if we were up against a strong, physical opposition's midfield, a midfield 3 of Schwienstieger, Pirlo and Gattuso would not be strong enough.

For these positions we surely need midfielders with ability and strength, not wide players. We already get out muscled by alot of teams because Seedorf and Pirlo just don't cut it physically, yet people want to replace these midfield areas with Joaquin, Robben and now Schwienstieger ... it just really puzzles me how people can think this would make us stronger

Jim, I see your point but try to watch Schwein next time he plays. he is very tough physically and doesn't mind getting into tackles. He reminds me a lot about Seedorf - great with the ball, not tall yet physical in his game. Schwein is not one of those fragile winger-type of players that run away from challenges or once they lose the ball they never track back. He is a very good and tenacious defender and if he loses the ball, he goes after it with all he's got.
If I have any reservations about him, it has to do that he is more or less an untouchable player at this point in time as it's not in Bayern's style to let players like him go so easily.

Hmmm ... ok, i will concede this one

You're 100% right about Bayern not letting him go, i doubt he'll leave Germany for many years. The only way really is if he has a huge bust up with the club, which probably isn't likely at all.

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

Hmmm ... ok, i will concede this one

Phewwww, thank god 'cause I was running out of arguments

well in that case then i completely disagree ... haha

Originally Posted by GRE-NO-LI

Realistic targets that impressed me till now:

Yaya Touré
Zokora
Riquelme
Lahm

UNrealistic targets that impressed me till now:

Schweinsteiger
Robben

Failed to impress me on his match, but already a very valuable target:

Sneijder

GRE-NO-LI, Zokora is I.Coast #5??? This guy was a monster against Argentine

let me tell you somethings about Yaya Toure since he is playing for my favorite team, Greek champs Olympiakos. He is very good with the ball in his feet. When we got him, his brother called him "a new Vieira" but this comparision is very wrong because Yaya is not a typical defensive midfielder. He doesnt tackle a lot and he lacks explosiveness BUT when he tackles he is very effective because of his long legs. He is very strong and the best part of his game are his passes. He can touch the ball with all parts of his foot and make any kind of passes/crosses. He is a very good header, a great shooter as well. He also scored a couple of times by free kicks (very stylish hits for an African player). The only reason he doesnt score that much is because in front of him in the field we play Rivaldo as an attacking midfielder.

About the comparisions with Diarra, since Diarra also played in Greece when he was younger. I can tell you that Toure is much better than what Diarra used to be and has much more potential. If he is as professional as Diarra has been then I have no doubt he would be a much better player than Diarra.

According to greek media, Arsenal made a 12m euro bid which was turned down (According to greek media of course). Lyon tried to get him last January but the 7m euro bid was turned down as well. We might sell him after the World Cup to get as much as we can, but I believe he will be sold next summer (probably to premier league team since they tend to overpay). His manager is a pain in the ass and owns 25% of the player.

As I have seen him playing a lot of times, I wasnt impressed by what he did against Argentina, he was just good for 20 minutes. One of his games this year, was against Real Madrid in the last day of the CL group stage where he litteraly dominated the field.

here is a pic of him in a free kick. click here
btw, except form Kolo Toure and Yaya Toure they also have a younger (19 year old) brother who is a big, tall striker.

itali players:

impressed:
prilo (wow was amazing a real star, playmaker on the midfield! never let this 1 go)
de rossi (we really need to buy this 1)
luca toni (worked hard, really motivated)
grosso(played solid+ attacking skillz)

weak:
perrota
gila

pitty barzagli didn't played :s

I disagree with pretty much everything you've just put there Prifess.

De Rossi was good, but not great. Perotta played a fantastic game, he did all the ugly work that allowed Pirlo a little more room and time on the ball. Perotta ran up and down throughout the match and was one of Italy's best players. Again, Toni was good but he disappeared for parts of the match and Grosso wasn't as good as his club form, he didn't go forward as much as he usually does which in turn allowed more of a threat on his side of the pitch.

i thought italys best players were pirlo, toni, cannavaro, nesta and de rossi (but to a lesser extent) ... the worse one was zaccardo

Originally Posted by Jim_UK

De Rossi was good, but not great. Perotta played a fantastic game, he did all the ugly work that allowed Pirlo a little more room and time on the ball. Perotta ran up and down throughout the match and was one of Italy's best players. Again, Toni was good but he disappeared for parts of the match

I agree with Jim. De Rossi was pretty average IMO yesterday - I am guessing he was just a bit too nervous for his own good. He was late on tackles, caught out of position and looked a bit out of sorts in general. Perotta played very very well but I guess that's the fate of the hard-working players - their contribution sort of remains unnoticed.
Also, Toni did play very well but i don't see what did he do more than Gila for instance. They both had a couple of chances and missed them both. As for Toni's shot in the crossbar, well it was Gila I think wo flicked the ball to him and made that happen. All in all, I just don't see what Toni did more than our Gila to warrant this difference in after-match remarks - Gila was crap, Toni was magnificent - that came from some people here ... cough Egoistka cough

Originally Posted by mk18

i thought italys best players were pirlo, toni, cannavaro, nesta and de rossi (but to a lesser extent) ... the worse one was zaccardo

I think Zaccardo played better than he usually does - no own goals, no errant shots at Buffon's goal or anything like that . But still, you are right - he was the weakest link on the field and that's been the case in most of his games for the NT.
Just don't know what is it with Lippi that he trusts Zaccardo more than Oddo for instance.