Winter Mercato

Originally Posted by Giovanni

The new Milan players that can realistically join us in June are (not necessarely all together):

- Abbiati: he costs zero and he's at the same level of the other keepers you mentioned. Buffon is the only on another planet, or maybe Cech and a few others who are not on the market. So i'd call back Abbiati, considering the others offer no guarantee they are a class above what we already have.

last time i heard he wants to extend his contract with Atletico Madrid for another 1 year (he will be with Atletico until June 2008 according to his contract). but he has contract expiring with Milan until 2010.call him back wouldn't be a crime though but perhaps another option would be nice someone like Sebastian Frey ? or voices are pointing to Amelia now

Drogba: I Want To Leave Chelsea

Didier Drogba has spoken publicly about his intentions to leave Chelsea.



zoom - galleria The Ivorian striker has made it clear that this will be his last season in The Blues jersey and recent reports have suggested he may be wearing a black and red shirt come September.

Drogba has revealed that he has wanted to leave for quite some time and Jose Mourinho’s departure from the West London club was enough to convince him.

“It comes from me, I said what I am thinking, that I want to leave,” Drogba told Eurosport.

“The problem is that I have wanted to leave for two or three years. Mourinho’s departure didn’t help me, in fact it made my desire to leave even bigger.”

Recent speculation has suggested the Ivorian will be playing his football at Milan under Jose Mourinho.

Milan have not had the best of seasons in Serie A and Carlo Ancelotti’s position at the club seems uncertain. If Ancelotti does leave then this would leave the door open to Mourinho.

According to The People, a source believed to be close to Drogba quoted the player as saying: “Drogba told Chelsea he will be leaving in the Summer and that he would join Mourinho at Milan, this is why Avram Grant is looking for a striker.”

According to Italian media reports Milan are willing to spend 54 million euros to lure the Ivorian to San Siro. However Drogba has decided to remain quiet over his future and outlined his objectives for the rest of the season.

“I’m not going to speak about this, however we will soon,” the Ivorian continued.

“My major objective is the African Cup of Nations and to win more things with Chelsea when I return.”

“The most important is the Champions League but when you play for the English title you don’t swipe on it.”

Ancelotti is favourite to take over from Roberto Donadoni should Italy fail to do well at Euro 2008 and, should this happen, Milan would be looking for a top European coach and the man most likely to take a vacant role with the Italian giants is Mourinho.

source: www.goal.com

Jeff,

I'm still simmering and will continue to do so until we start buying some QUALITY players!! You do make some good points about club environment, though, and I guess the issue here is with balance---how do we get a good balance between a serene, tranquil environment, and one with hunger, passion, desire to win trophies? Same argument goes for youth and experience. IMO, we are leaning a little too close towards the experience side of things and a little less towards innovation and passion.

Remote: I was thinking exactly the same as you when I saw the Drogba quotes. It sure looks like he knows where he'll be moving on to next, and it is also strange how the Mourinho to Milan rumours are flying despite the fact that we just won the Club WOrld Cup, won the CL last year, and there are plenty of other so-called big clubs, ie Bayern, Barca, ?Juventus--who may need a high profile manager like Mourinho. I personally think that this will be Carlo's last year with us, if he doesnt join the Italian NT right away, then at least he'll be re-charging his batteries until the time comes. As for Mourinho, if he comes, brings Drogba, and tones down a little---i'd be more than happy

Drogba will be a great addition to our current squad. With the aging (!) Inzaghi and the ever-under-fire Gilardino on the bench, Pato + Drogba will be amazing. - J

Originally Posted by GilAttack [11]

Have people watched Ochoa playing for America or do they guide themseleves with Football Manager?
IMO he is overrated as a keeper, he makes tons of stupid mistakes but then he can impress with an spectacular save. Not a big fan of him.

I watch the guy play every game as I'm also a fan of America, and I can tell you that you're wrong about him, he's not overrated at all, he's that good....he make mistakes every once in a while like any GK on the world but he save his team many times during a match, he even took his team to the Copa Sudamericana final about a month ago, and trust me, with the defence America has that's a huge achievment.....and he's only 22 yo, so he still has a lot of room to improve on his already impresive career.

Originally Posted by MLM

last time i heard he wants to extend his contract with Atletico Madrid for another 1 year (he will be with Atletico until June 2008 according to his contract). but he has contract expiring with Milan until 2010.call him back wouldn't be a crime though but perhaps another option would be nice someone like Sebastian Frey ? or voices are pointing to Amelia now

I'm sure Abbiati would come back home if Galliani calls him back. Between Abbiati, Frey and Amelia i don't see substantial difference. The biggest difference is that Frey would cost 15+ million euros and Amelia isn't reliable at top level.

The point is: Buffon is a class above. The other candidates are more or less on the same level.

I am not fan of Abbiati, he is good but not that good, I still dont know who should be our GK as buffon is way unrealistic and there is no good availble goalies in the scene, if Ochoa is good then sign him now he is young and can improve.

Abbiati is on loan for a reason. Not good enough as number one,and he refuses to accept being number two. Maybe use Storari as number 2, and get rid of every other kpr we have on books all 6 of them - Dida, Kalac, Fiori, Abbiati, Coppola, Efelethropous. Let's have a look at the Carrizo situation with Lazio too.

Drogba Yes, Maurinho never!

Stop football from super-ultra defensive and boring play. Maurinho

Well, I have to say that I will be very happy if we play defensive and boring football and win titles

I would be more than happy if we dont play defensively and boringly but win the titles. The man who was said the number two could bring Milan 3 times in CL final with beautiful play (of course not every game). So there is no reason to play defensively and boringly if we have a much better choice.

i read an interview with ancelotti at which he noted that more than 5 years in the same club is not healthy for neither the club nor the manager so unless the board refuses to leave me at all i think i will.<source... maybe official site>...!!!!
anyway even if mourinho comes if this list gio mentioned is the ceiling of our expectations for the summer mercato... it's VERY bad...!!!!

Frey and Boruc aren't a class above Abbiati. And they cost 10-15 M...which we don't use for other players.
I would spend big moneys just on Buffon.

I disagree. Boruc & Frey are both more reliable than Abbiati, who is prone to rushes of blood to the head. Our priorities during summer have to be in goal & upfront. 10 -15 mill isn't too much to spend on either of those players mentioned, whilst still having enough for the rest of the squad.

Milan Offer Gilardino For Frey – Report AC Milan are ready to offer Alberto Gilardino in a part-exchange offer to sign Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey, according to the Corriere della Sera.
Milan Offer Gilardino For Frey – Report


Rossoneri boss Carlo Ancelotti has lost all faith in current shot-stopper Nelson Dida, who has made a huge number of catastrophic errors this season.

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=538148



Milan have drawn up a list of possible replacements for the Brazilian, and the names include Fiorentina’s Sebastien Frey, Celtic’s Artur Boruc, and PSV Eindhoven’s Gomes.



Ancelotti’s favoured option is Frenchman Frey, who has been absolutely outstanding this term.



In order to get Frey, Milan will offer forward flop Alberto Gilardino in part-exchange. The 25-year-old signed for the Rossoneri in 2005 from Parma and there were high expectations of the big frontman.



However Gila has been a huge disappointment and has shown few signs that he is capable of playing for such a prestigious club.



Fiorentina Coach Cesare Prandelli is an admirer of Gilardino having worked successfully with him in the past at Parma, and is keen to re-unite with the player.



Gilardino scored an impressive 50 goals in 96 games during his three-year spell at the Ennio Tardini.