Pirlo backup

Galliani has said that Milan will actively try to buy somone to play backup to Pirlo. Who do you think the options are?

the dream option for me would be to go for the only player I can think of who resembles him, but buy him as player who would play elsewhere in the midfield more regularly. Tomas Rosicky, plus Bourissia are in financial trouble right now and it's likely they'll sell some players in the summer.

however it's likely it will be another more standard back up.

A few names have already been mentioned including Xavi, Pizarro and one other (Baronio I think).

Xavi would be a good alternative as he plays in a similar way to Pirlo, although there are no certainties he'll adapt to Serie A (defensively he'll need to get better imo).

Pizarro is a good player and has Serie A experience behind him. The problem with him is he isn't a player like Pirlo and so if he does come as a replacement for Pirlo it means that the system will have to be changed when Pirlo is missing.

Both players could strengthen our squad by adding new dimensions, so its a matter of which player will be best for Milan

Rosicky??? He's great player, but I think he is more an attacking midfielder than defending... like Riquelme I think. Either way I would love to see one or both of them in Milan, specially since they both are wasted in their weak teams.

the one player i'd love to see as pirlo's backup and most definetly would slot right in and be able to play the same way would be vincenzo grella of parma

i think xavi is out of the question, i hope we can go for some1 who can play both of gattusos and pirlos positions ... some1 like de rossi or maniche eventhough de rossi is almost impossible ... i think we will not sign anyone in that position but if we do i think it will be baronio most probably tho pizzaro would be perfect.

Pizarro
Mascherano
Juninho pernambucano

...and noone else.
No bargaining plz.
And then let the competition for the starting places begin....

I wonder if Miccoli could be worth a shot ? He's used to the Italian league and with a little adaption could play either Seedorf's role or Pirlo's.

Juninho is a good player, tremendous free-kick taker, not sure about his tackling skills. But as he's nearing the end of his career, he may settle for a subs role.

He's 30yo. Just had birthday.
Juninho subs role? He'd start and plays the right midfiled role (Gattuso's, who'd have to move central) for Brazil too.

juninho is really good but i hope we get pizarro he really convinced me today vs inter.. another option might be emre, miccoli i dont think would adapt to pirlos role

Then Juninho wouldn't be Pirlo's backup then would he ? Pirlo would be Juninho's backup if you were to start him and move Gattuso to the middle.

I wouldn't start him, he'd have to earn his place over a period of time. But he would be a good player to have and as he is 30, i don't think he'd be too expensive.

Udinese do have alot of good, hard working players ... i would expect a few of them to be snapped up in the summer.

Juninho, Rosicky, Riquelme etc are attacking midfielders like Rui and Kaka.


We need a player like Redondo or Albertini. Next season i would give a chance to Donadel (currently on loan to Sampdoria) and Donati (on loan to Messina). This season they're doing well.

And now even Mozart's name has been mentioned

If it's Mozart the musician then YES, but if it's Mozart the footballer then...

Juninho plays in central midfield for Brazil too. He plays despite Kaka, R10 and R9 playing, so he can do in Milan with Kaka, Sheva, Gilardino.
Donati and Donadel are average players. Certainly no better than Ambrosini.

id go for a more reliable player like pizarro or sneider

I know this sounds weird, but Iv always wondered how Maldini would have been in midfield, hes ot the skills. But of course its a wacky suggestion that would never happen, would be nice to see it once though