Winter Mercato

I would expect that Terry's contract will soon be prolonged and "properly inflated" and he will stay with them as will Lampard.

with Carvalho and Terry (the one who is similar in characteristics with Alex) there to stay and having JM's full confidence, and the rumours that JM isn't exactly in love with Alex, I don't see the brazilian being anything more than a back-up, if that in the end ... hardly the scenario Alex is gunning for.

ok well looks like Miroslve Klose has signed with byren also...wat da heck is wrong with byren....Toni....Ribery...now klose..i kno its not always da case when you buy alot of stars and expect to be successfull...but still that is a alot of power for byren....i would have liked to see klose at milan...young talented ..hes much like ribery he impressed alot during the world with the german international team..but not too good in domestic

klose is 29, or soon to be ... not that old for a player but not exactly a young talent either
he is a good player but when players change championships, especially when coming to serie A, there is always the risk that they won't be able to fit in.

good transfer campaign by Bayern, a bit too late though.

thats true zlat....switching to another league is hard..as we have seen through RO....but i dont know i guess i just want a big name striker to come to milan this milan and hopefully

from the sound of the rumours flying around, we are aiming higher, much higher than Klose ... at least namewise ... the problem is that we run the risk of paying a fortune for someone, who may easily end up not adjusting to Italy.

sometimes I think instead of paying something like 40+ mil for Etoo, we'd be better off getting someone like Quagliarella or Keita - players who can play attacking mid and support striker - and keep the players we currently have up front with possibly a proven striker like Trez coming in for Gila should he end up leaving ... we shouldn't forget that Ronaldo is gonna be available for CL too this year, unlike last season.

I still believe that RO could turn the coin around in his favour this season and show what he can really do as I doubt we've seen even half of what he is capable of ... the summer training could do him well both from physical and psychological point of view - he needs more confidence, relax and stop trying too hard and I think he might turn out to be like a "new" signing for Milan.

Bayern is one of the reachest teams in the world. They can buy top class every single year.
But they have some strange policy to create players or rely on home based (in Germany) players. They rarely spend huge ammounts on transfers.... once in 5 years at most.

I don't know where did i read it, but i know i read how Bayern are capable of spending ~40m Euro on transfers every single year. Dunno why they don't do so concidering they are far from Europe's best since the time they won CL 6 years ago.

Toni (Makaay) - Klose (Podolski)
------- Ribery---------

This looks promising, but as Zlat said...it's too late. If they splashed the money in last 2-3 transfer markets and if they added Toni-Klose-Ribery this summer, then not only they'd have played CL next season but they would have been one of the hottest favourites to win it.

Originally Posted by Tony29.

Yay, at least Milan has defenders. Juve has only Boumsong and Legrottagllie

And the legend Zebina!!! unfortunately it looks like Buffon is definately staying put though

I think Milan's policy/plan for next season is taking a clear shape now. Henry and Ronaldinho more than Eto'o make sense to me, as we'll then have a goalscorer up front (probably R99), a supporting forward who can drift wide (Dinho/Henry) and Kaka playing further deeper to support.

However, the key factor about all of the forwards mentioned is that they're all able to drop out and play on the left. This might be hugely important in CL matches and bigger matches, as we will need to have players making the extra man in midfield. We already know Seedorf can't play too many games now, so I think he'll be prepared to play less. We also now know Ambro's slot in the team is massive in the big games where we need to tighten up, so Emerson (with Thiago, Edmilson and today Gilberto Silva, who I can't imagine coming but would love) being linked is a very important move, considering Ambro is injury prone and we lack depth here.

Personally, I like the look of Henry best of the attackers linked, as I feel his overall quality and experience will be great, and I think he'd work best with Kaka of the 3.

Essentially, for the average Serie A game, I guess we'll look to play two forwards, and Ambro's slot will be sacrificed for a more attacking option as most smaller sides sit back. Something like...

-----------------------Dida-------------------------
Oddo ------Nesta---------Maldini/Bonera/?----Janku--
-----Rino/Ambro/Puma--Pirlo--Seedorf/Gourcuff-------
--------------------Kaka/Seedorf/Gourcuff-----------
---------------------------------Henry--------------
-----------------R99--------------------------------

However, then for the bigger games, where we'll need the extra protection, we can either ask for Henry (or whoever) to drop deeper onto the left playing deeper with Kaka with one or the other going to support the striker when attacking and one or the other defending the left side defensively. Ambro/Puma can also be brought into these games in their role to tighten the midfield and add more physical presence. So something like...

-------------------------Dida-------------------------
Oddo------Nesta-------------Maldini------------Janku-
---------------Rino-----------Ambro/Puma------------
----------------------Pirlo----------------------------
----------------Kaka----------------Henry/Seedorf----
-----------------------R99----------------------------

Seedorf can also be played in the withdrawn supporting role, in which situation Kaka stays further forward the whole time rather than alternating roles with another.

Another thing to note is the need for an attacking midfielder is reduced, as we can rely on Seedorf and Gourcuff to be Kaka's backup, as well as alternating in the deeper role when we're more attacking.

The only addition I'd really love then to add to the attacker (my preference is the Frenchman) and the defensive midfielder (Emerson is the most likely candidate, and one I'd welcome happily) is a leftback as I don't trust Janku there for all matches (Zambro remains the dream).

Gila takes Inzaghi advice Friday 8 June, 2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alberto Gilardino reveals Pippo Inzaghi convinced him to stay at Milan after this week’s threats to walk out.

The former Parma striker had complained at the lack of faith shown in him by the club and demanded a regular spot in the starting XI, but today’s talk with officials cleared the air.


“I am very happy we had this meeting, as it was important to clarify the situation,” said Gilardino.


“I know this is an important side and want to stay here for as long as possible. That was my intention before and it is even more so now.”


However, he did reveal that there was some valuable advice given to him by one of the players challenging for that place upfront.


“I spoke to Pippo and he said some wonderful things. I also heard from other teammates who asked me to think carefully, but in truth I never had any doubts. The newspapers twisted my words, so I always wanted to stay at Milan.


“In fact, I had only given that interview to reassure the fans that I had not offered myself to any other club, let alone Inter.”


The competition for places in the Rossoneri forward line is already fierce with Inzaghi, Ronaldo and Ricardo Oliveira challenging, but Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed they are looking to bring in another world class striker.


The main target is Thierry Henry and today the Arsenal man noted he was pleased to hear of Milan’s interest.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a good thing as we have Pippo who is 34 and Ronaldo who has, well... an old soul Gila may have not played his best football but he is young and italian, which is very important in Milan. I wish him well in thext years to come. Pippo the old "fox in the box" can teach him something. If nothing, how to dive better!
--------------------------------------------------------------

And, on the formations above, maybe we'll see Carlos new formation, which he tried out at the Old Trafford in the last 10 minutes, the famous 4-6-0 ! That is why we need Emerson
-----------------dida--------------------
---oddo----nesta-----maldini---marek--
----------emerson---pirlo--------
-gattuso---kaka'--ambro---seedorf------
--------------------------------------( the zero part)

Originally Posted by Tony29.

Bayern is one of the reachest teams in the world. They can buy top class every single year.
But they have some strange policy to create players or rely on home based (in Germany) players. They rarely spend huge ammounts on transfers.... once in 5 years at most.

I don't know where did i read it, but i know i read how Bayern are capable of spending ~40m Euro on transfers every single year. Dunno why they don't do so concidering they are far from Europe's best since the time they won CL 6 years ago.

Toni (Makaay) - Klose (Podolski)
------- Ribery---------

This looks promising, but as Zlat said...it's too late. If they splashed the money in last 2-3 transfer markets and if they added Toni-Klose-Ribery this summer, then not only they'd have played CL next season but they would have been one of the hottest favourites to win it.

I think the reason for this is that Bayern do not have a rich owner - whether a person or a company - who would constantly pump money into the club but at the helm of the club is a board of directors, who either are or are responsible to the investors/shareholders and their main concern as such is that the profit into the shareholder's pockets is as big as possible ... of course a certain balance has to be maintained, read investments, to keep the club competitive.

As you said, Tony, Bayern is and has been for the past 10 years or so one of the most high-profitable clubs in football, on a number of occasions second only to ManU, but it is very uncharacteristic of them to spend big on players and that's why they mostly invest into home talent and rarely get their hands on any big-name players outside of Germany.
Actually, I think Ribery (25 mil) is their most expensive transfer ever, isn't he? With Makaay's tranfer (18 mil) of 4 or so years ago coming in 2nd place ... compared to other big clubs, that's peanuts really.

Come to think of it, it's no short of a miracle how consistent and successful Bayern has been in Europe over the past decade given their frugal transfer policy.

Originally Posted by ACMILAN1983

And the legend Zebina!!! unfortunately it looks like Buffon is definately staying put though

I think Milan's policy/plan for next season is taking a clear shape now. Henry and Ronaldinho more than Eto'o make sense to me, as we'll then have a goalscorer up front (probably R99), a supporting forward who can drift wide (Dinho/Henry) and Kaka playing further deeper to support.

However, the key factor about all of the forwards mentioned is that they're all able to drop out and play on the left. This might be hugely important in CL matches and bigger matches, as we will need to have players making the extra man in midfield. We already know Seedorf can't play too many games now, so I think he'll be prepared to play less. We also now know Ambro's slot in the team is massive in the big games where we need to tighten up, so Emerson (with Thiago, Edmilson and today Gilberto Silva, who I can't imagine coming but would love) being linked is a very important move, considering Ambro is injury prone and we lack depth here.

Personally, I like the look of Henry best of the attackers linked, as I feel his overall quality and experience will be great, and I think he'd work best with Kaka of the 3.

Essentially, for the average Serie A game, I guess we'll look to play two forwards, and Ambro's slot will be sacrificed for a more attacking option as most smaller sides sit back. Something like...

-----------------------Dida-------------------------
Oddo ------Nesta---------Maldini/Bonera/?----Janku--
-----Rino/Ambro/Puma--Pirlo--Seedorf/Gourcuff-------
--------------------Kaka/Seedorf/Gourcuff-----------
---------------------------------Henry--------------
-----------------R99--------------------------------

However, then for the bigger games, where we'll need the extra protection, we can either ask for Henry (or whoever) to drop deeper onto the left playing deeper with Kaka with one or the other going to support the striker when attacking and one or the other defending the left side defensively. Ambro/Puma can also be brought into these games in their role to tighten the midfield and add more physical presence. So something like...

-------------------------Dida-------------------------
Oddo------Nesta-------------Maldini------------Janku-
---------------Rino-----------Ambro/Puma------------
----------------------Pirlo----------------------------
----------------Kaka----------------Henry/Seedorf----
-----------------------R99----------------------------

Seedorf can also be played in the withdrawn supporting role, in which situation Kaka stays further forward the whole time rather than alternating roles with another.

Another thing to note is the need for an attacking midfielder is reduced, as we can rely on Seedorf and Gourcuff to be Kaka's backup, as well as alternating in the deeper role when we're more attacking.

The only addition I'd really love then to add to the attacker (my preference is the Frenchman) and the defensive midfielder (Emerson is the most likely candidate, and one I'd welcome happily) is a leftback as I don't trust Janku there for all matches (Zambro remains the dream).

Two points here:

1) One of the biggest reasons Henry didn't really do well for France and Juve is because the coaches played him on the wing. Wenger deployed him in the middle, where he runs at defences.

2) I feel out of the strikers linked, Henry suits us the least. I think that Kaka loves making those runs from the deep that Henry makes at Arsenal. Remember whenever Henry has had someone behind him as a playmaker of some sort, he hasn't done his best (see his performances for France with Zidane in the team).

Originally Posted by Hasan Rossonero

Two points here:

1) One of the biggest reasons Henry didn't really do well for France and Juve is because the coaches played him on the wing. Wenger deployed him in the middle, where he runs at defences.

2) I feel out of the strikers linked, Henry suits us the least. I think that Kaka loves making those runs from the deep that Henry makes at Arsenal. Remember whenever Henry has had someone behind him as a playmaker of some sort, he hasn't done his best (see his performances for France with Zidane in the team).

Great points Hasan
I envy you for being the one who came out with this

Zlat..yes, Ribery is the most expensive player Bayern ever bought. And i wonder if he would have been bought if they didn't sell Hargreaves (who , i'm not sure but, is the most expensive player Bayern sold) for the same money.
And your explaination on why Bayern doesn't spend as much as the others is also logical and i think that's the truth

2) I feel out of the strikers linked, Henry suits us the least. I think that Kaka loves making those runs from the deep that Henry makes at Arsenal. Remember whenever Henry has had someone behind him as a playmaker of some sort, he hasn't done his best (see his performances for France with Zidane in the team).

As Dev said, Henry actually does a lot of his bestwork as an old fashioned inside left forward. Its from that position that most of the Arsenal attacking midfielders of recent years have benefited from Henry, Ljungberg and Pires built careers on making 3rd man runs knowing Henry would see them and had the ability to find them too.

Because of that i do think he and Kaka would work well together, it may even help get the best out of Ronaldo and Gilardino as an extra runner for them would make a little bit more space for their more 'static' styles

Originally Posted by mrki

And, on the formations above, maybe we'll see Carlos new formation, which he tried out at the Old Trafford in the last 10 minutes, the famous 4-6-0 ! That is why we need Emerson
-----------------dida--------------------
---oddo----nesta-----maldini---marek--
----------emerson---pirlo--------
-gattuso---kaka'--ambro---seedorf------
--------------------------------------( the zero part)

What about this midfield for some matches...

Rino---Emerson--Ambro--Brocchi

Originally Posted by Hasan Rossonero

Two points here:

1) One of the biggest reasons Henry didn't really do well for France and Juve is because the coaches played him on the wing. Wenger deployed him in the middle, where he runs at defences.

2) I feel out of the strikers linked, Henry suits us the least. I think that Kaka loves making those runs from the deep that Henry makes at Arsenal. Remember whenever Henry has had someone behind him as a playmaker of some sort, he hasn't done his best (see his performances for France with Zidane in the team).

Steza has quite nicely answered the first point. Henry naturally cuts in from the left, and if necessary can play further out wide and make up an extra midfielder (enough to at least prevent us becoming vunerable). You also have to remember his versality, added to that of Kaka's means they'll be able to interchange more naturally (we've seen Kaka asked to play wide in a number of matches this past season). However, this is only part of the system. Henry would still remain as a withdrawn forward in the system. Another factor, Henry was young when playing as a winger, since which he's developed and matured a lot.

As for the second point, I agree that Henry likes to run from deep, like Kaka, but as I said above, both will be able to naturally intechange roles in the system. However, my reason for them working well together is that both like to play short quick passing moves through opponents, and with this in mind should compliment each other's style of play superbly. If you watch Ronaldinho and Kaka for example, Dinho tends to hold onto the ball for ages before moving it along, by which time Kaka get's picked up or loses momentum.

There is absolutly NO WAY Kaka' and Henry cant play together well. I know you will say " Kaka' and Ronaldinho cant play...". But playing Kaka'-Henry-Gilardino is actually as same as Sheva-KAka'-Gila. If he comes to Milan, Henry will play the exact same way Sheva played. Tacticcaly of course.

Off topic :

What do those who saw Gabriel Milito think of him ? Zaragoza's Defender , not the attacker Milito ? I don't know how, but i don't remember this player at all . I know Diego Milito and i remember some of his goals, but somehow i missed Gabriel Milito
Thanx