Summer mercato 2009

Samaldinho, great post.

Everybody should just relax, the summer is starting for crying out loud.

This was a very childish debate for a couple of pages, but OCmilano, Rick and Samaldinho put some sense into it.

Where's Warro when we need him to remind us it's called "Silly season" for a reason!?!

I think the 3rd place comment was mostly to lower expectations towards Leo and make him work in peace. I didn't read it as him not believing we could win the Scudetto, but that he never wants to experience the UEFA Cup or CL Qualifying ever again.

Yes, I do think Aly, Dzeko and Felipe Melo (or whoever) would be major signings; not just for Milan, but any team. I don't get this obsession with marquee players. Some players work because the team is built around them. Once you take that away, they lose a lot. (example: Rui Costa after leaving Fiorentina) I have no idea how Real will make it work.

Originally Posted by brk

I think the 3rd place comment was mostly to lower expectations towards Leo and make him work in peace. I didn't read it as him not believing we could win the Scudetto, but that he never wants to experience the UEFA Cup or CL Qualifying ever again.

Yes, I do think Aly, Dzeko and Felipe Melo (or whoever) would be major signings; not just for Milan, but any team. I don't get this obsession with marquee players. Some players work because the team is built around them. Once you take that away, they lose a lot. (example: Rui Costa after leaving Fiorentina) I have no idea how Real will make it work.

Yes I agree on both points. Someone also mentioned that Dzeko wouldn't be a future Golden Ball winner, and that's probably true, but in my opinion we already have a future Golden Ball winner in Pato, so we should build a team around him instead of buying more stars.

Originally Posted by Rick

Nobody said Kaka didn't help. But Milan finished third last season with Kaka. The previous season, Milan finished fifth with Kaka. So obviously the problem was bigger than whether or not Kaka was in the lineup. And Gourcuff was never, ever, one of Milan's best players. He was Bordeaux's best player, but he never played well for Milan, so how can his "loss" actually downgrade the Milan squad in any way?

If Silvio isn't going to be running the club as a plaything, but rather as a business, and money is tight, the best asset Milan had to raise the funds to replenish the squad was Kaka. All the old players you named ("Kaladze, MArek, Seedorf, Pirlo, Dinho, Pippo, Dida, Kalac, Favalli") that you think Milan should get rid of wouldn't, combined, bring in anywhere near the money that Kaka brought in. And it would have left the entire squad full of holes that would have had to be filled by a whole new bunch of players that Milan could afford to bring in all at once or by unproven young players from the reserves or called back from loans. This way, Milan can replace the older players (most of whom have given great service to and been very loyal to Milan) reasonably rather than having a fire sale and acting like Tottenham Hotspur or Portsmouth or somebody.

You can moan until you're blue in the face about Milan being in a tight financial position and about the reasons for it, but that won't solve anything. The past is the past. The situation is what it is. Bitching about the past isn't a plan for the future. You, among others, have complained about Carlo's lineup choices, etc., for a long time. Now Milan has a new coach who has a good eye for talent. Let him do his frickin' job this summer and then we'll see how the new Milan squad shapes up.

If you want to support a club that's only a plaything and just buys and sells players with no consideration to either cost or loyalty, they're always looking for fans at Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid.

Perfect post.

Originally Posted by Rick

Nobody said Kaka didn't help. But Milan finished third last season with Kaka. The previous season, Milan finished fifth with Kaka. So obviously the problem was bigger than whether or not Kaka was in the lineup. And Gourcuff was never, ever, one of Milan's best players. He was Bordeaux's best player, but he never played well for Milan, so how can his "loss" actually downgrade the Milan squad in any way?

If Silvio isn't going to be running the club as a plaything, but rather as a business, and money is tight, the best asset Milan had to raise the funds to replenish the squad was Kaka. All the old players you named ("Kaladze, MArek, Seedorf, Pirlo, Dinho, Pippo, Dida, Kalac, Favalli") that you think Milan should get rid of wouldn't, combined, bring in anywhere near the money that Kaka brought in. And it would have left the entire squad full of holes that would have had to be filled by a whole new bunch of players that Milan could afford to bring in all at once or by unproven young players from the reserves or called back from loans. This way, Milan can replace the older players (most of whom have given great service to and been very loyal to Milan) reasonably rather than having a fire sale and acting like Tottenham Hotspur or Portsmouth or somebody.

You can moan until you're blue in the face about Milan being in a tight financial position and about the reasons for it, but that won't solve anything. The past is the past. The situation is what it is. Bitching about the past isn't a plan for the future. You, among others, have complained about Carlo's lineup choices, etc., for a long time. Now Milan has a new coach who has a good eye for talent. Let him do his frickin' job this summer and then we'll see how the new Milan squad shapes up.

If you want to support a club that's only a plaything and just buys and sells players with no consideration to either cost or loyalty, they're always looking for fans at Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid.

The past is indeed the past, but it is also going to impact our future. If Kaka's sale is a one time thing, then fine. Fair enough.

However, if Berlusconi is not willing to invest in the team, then we will keep selling players to fund murky projects that should see us finish amongst the top three. Today it's Kaka', and tomorrow? Selling Kaka' is not the sole problem. I, and I believe many, don't trust that this management wants to invest that money into the team.

United fans are not up in arms because C. Ronaldo's money will be spent on the squad, notwithstanding their gigantic debt. Berlusconi now wants Milan to dominate football on a shoestring budget.

I have said this once before: we are in the unenviable position of supporting a club who does not want to support itself. This is an affront to our sense of loyalty and Berlusconi's lies, deception, and treachery rely on our acquiescence. In my opinion, if he continues down this path, then there should be immense pressure (through protests) for him to get the hell out. We should not be ashamed of demanding that. For one, it may actually bring in someone who has a whiff of integrity about him.

I appreciate your pragmatism, but remember our fate rests in the hands of a (widely perceived to be) felon and adulterer.

Latest reports suggest that Dzeko is staying at Wolfsburg. The coach has convinced him, and they are extending his contract.

goal.com (Italian)

Originally Posted by Hasan Rossonero

Latest reports suggest that Dzeko is staying at Wolfsburg. The coach has convinced him, and they are extending his contract.

goal.com (Italian)

Too many reports... don't know which to believe... If the man has a dream to play for Milan, someone doesn't just let go of his 'dream' and sign an extension the very next day....

Originally Posted by drucurl

Mrki:

I understand our feelings.....I daresay that the people that are criticizing you simply don't take A.C. Milan as seriously as you do. That's why our descent doesn't bother them as much as it does you. I am amazed how much I agree with you one practically everything....it's like we spoke or something

I demand you to TAKE BACK this statement. You don't have rights to judge others how they love Milan. Don't talk as if you know me, you said to me in this very same forum. Now I say to you, don't talk as if you know us. I am a Milan fan for 22 years since before Maldini played. I spent almost my entire life supporting Milan, I went to San Siro from my hometown in another half of this planet only to see Milan, I punched my best friend in the face because he mocked Milan after we finished 5th. Say I don't love Milan. Say all of us who are more calm in handling this issue, we all don't love Milan. Dare to say it once more? Shame on you.

But I DON'T TALK **** about my BELOVED CLUB in its own FAN FORUM, I'm not criticizing about what I couldn't do, because to talk **** about your own club constantly is like peeing on your own face.

Originally Posted by ZvonimirBoban

I demand you to TAKE BACK this statement. You don't have rights to judge others how they love Milan. Don't talk as if you know me, you said to me in this very same forum. Now I say to you, don't talk as if you know us. I am a Milan fan for 22 years since before Maldini played. I spent almost my entire life supporting Milan, I went to San Siro from my hometown in another half of this planet only to see Milan, I punched my best friend in the face because he mocked Milan after we finished 5th. Say I don't love Milan. Say all of us who are more calm in handling this issue, we all don't love Milan. Dare to say it once more? Shame on you.

But I DON'T TALK **** about my BELOVED CLUB in its own FAN FORUM, I'm not criticizing about what I couldn't do, because to talk **** about your own club constantly is like peeing on your own face.

you can quit with the internet toughguy

act it's beyond pathetic. Look if i offended you in any way i am truly sorry i do apologise...we're supposed to come together in these tough times -not fight.

Originally Posted by nefremo

Also, on tuttomercatoweb.com we are linked with Mertesacker from Werder today. They site someone else claiming that the price Werder wants is 14mil Euro. Not a bad deal if you ask me, if he is brought in to be a back up. Maybe not one of the big profile signings that people cry for.....but not a bad player at all, of course if he is meant to be a back up. (if Werder asks for 14, he can surely be bought for somewhere around 9/10mil) There is nothing concrete though, and I would much rather spend the money on Santacroce or Bochetti.

Like most German players, Mertesacker is brilliant for the national team but not that great for the club. Why all Germans do this I will never understand. Nevertheless, the guy has potential to be a world class player.. just that he hasn't shown that in the league. I don't mind him as a starter as long as someone like Nesta is alongside him.

Amazing how mrki were being attacked here! Just amazing for me!

If someone can forget Kaka just that simple, ok it's you. Others probably can't forget Kaka that way. He maybe loved/loves Kaka so much. If he says it very often and you already ready it thousand times, don't read his post.

Someone can accept how Milan have done recently, how Galliani and Berlusconi have done in transfer recently. But others can also reject what Milan, Berlusconi co. have done recently. If someone always critises Milan, just don't read his post if you are already bored with his comments.

But attacking other people? WOW!

AMAZING!!!

Wondeful stuff.

How many of us here realise the transfer window is yet to open?

Why is it that everytime Galliani or Berlu open their mouths we have this escalation in blood-pressure, and begin to fight over each other's interpretations of what they said, and the implications for the club?

Is it so difficult to get over the fact that Kaka is gone? So hard to realize that Gorky has slipped thru our grasp, despite Leo's best efforts?

Gorky simply wasn't man/brave/foolish (take ur pick) enough to leave a club where he was the central player, (in a world cup year) for a club where he wasn't guaranteed a starting spot...that too is history, let's get over it already!!

When will we realise that we now have to rebuild a side, and that we have the entire mercato in which to do it? "Rebuild" may not be the correct term, but we certainly need a few players here and there...

As to who we will actually get, well, if anyone knows for sure, can they send me the winning lotto #s for the Jamaican lottery by PM as well? Thanks!

Samaldinho has been making some excellent posts, quite balanced and realistic, keep it up mate!!

"Silly season" is aptly named. It brings out the best and the worst in fans...its the time of year when the fan is even more powerless than normal...no player to scream at, just two slippery "suits" who, like teflon coated kevlar, have nothing stick to them, and are impermiable at the same time....

The fan thus has to sit in a self-created stew of frustration, anticipation, fear and sweat, while the clock ticks ever so slowly toward the real "business" of the season...the actual games that will determine the success or failure of the mercato.

Tempers will flare, marriages will fail, best friends lost and gained, sanity may flee for some, and "zen-like" peace may even descend on others as temperatures increase heading into July....which I am sure will be one of, if not the [b]hottest[\B] summers on record...

So my friends, foes, and fanatics of MM and the world @ large:

Go easy. Go cool. There is a ways yet to go. Milan will remain, but will u be alive to witness what will occur next season, or will a stroke (GOD forbid) deny you the opportunity?

Personally, I don't hold out much hope for what we can accomplish next term....but how many teams out there could replace a player like Kaka with a player of Ronaldinho's undoubted talent?

How many here would bet that R80 won't give his all to ensure he gets back into the selecao? (If u r, PM me, bets start @ US$50)

A lot of crying over spilt/spoilt milk will change nothing about the state of the milk, but what u do about the milk may go a long way in determining who u are.

I for one encourage us all to take a couple steps back, and look at the big picture, and the "+"es and "-" es of the situation objectively: (yeah rite )

We are practically debt free (sold/lost 2 of the best talents in the world), still have two of the best in the game in R80 and Pato, (still have Seedorf, Kaladze etc on the payroll), look to be aggressive in the mercato, and are linked with the kind of player the coach actually wants (the coach is totally inexperienced, and we aren't linked with Santacroce)...

All said, the situation is quite fluid...we are not without a strong skeleton on which to build, and we have made some interesting declarations about our intent, and recalled some players who many here were cursing management for not using before...so while the situation is liquid, we have every chance of solidifying the team, having them gel, and getting the best of a season (lest we forget) with a coach replacing a proven winner who perhaps had gotten a bit stale, and whom many many here were glad to be rid of...

So, a lot of what many have been asking for, or fretting about, has happened.

Sit back, and enjoy the ride, as a famous Jamaican oldie but goodie states: "its gonna get rougher yet".

Welcome to silly season. May the most sane survive.

New name of the day as potential Pirlo replacement is Abou Diaby of Arsenal. Many say he's the new Viera and the guy is pretty talented and certainly more versatile than Viera. His qualities are quite different to Pirlo so don't know how he'd replace him and question if he's the right man for us.

Originally Posted by boring

Like most German players, Mertesacker is brilliant for the national team but not that great for the club. Why all Germans do this I will never understand. Nevertheless, the guy has potential to be a world class player.. just that he hasn't shown that in the league. I don't mind him as a starter as long as someone like Nesta is alongside him.

He's not really good at club or country. At Euro 2008 Germany may have reached the final but they were not a good team and their defence leaked goals in every game except for Poland (who were rubbish) and Austria (even worse than Poland). I distinctly remember how much criticism the German defence came under in the last Euros.

Same with World Cup 2006. Germany in that world cup were praised for their attacking play under Klinsmann, but their defence again was considered the weak spot of the side.

The 3rd place thing galliani said is not wrong and that is not a line to judge our clubs ambition...

We have a new coach and a squad that has some rebuilding..so he better chose not to pressurize them by saying things like we'll win them all..

I guess we won't be needing any new defenders now, Favalli has extended his contract...

http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy...milan-contract