I must admit I'm a bit bigoted against him given he cost so little. I'm irrationally prejudiced in thinking a player signed from Palermo for 500k cannot be up to the level of Milan.

But it seems he's a total ruddy bargain and has fit into the side extremely well.

That said, I wouldn't pick him if I had the power - I'd have a midfield trio of MvB holding, and Aquilani and Boateng the creatives. A midfield like Barca, in other words.

His contract was running out. It was either to sell him for 500k+ Ferreira co own or to lose him for free next summer. He's worth much more than that otherwise, of course.

Boateng cleary is preferred as further up the field by our coach even at 3-0 down (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

So is he national team material?

He's already a regular call-up for Prandelli. But doesn't usually start since Prandelli is sane and actually only plays with one DM (De Rossi)

Pirlo, Monto and either another striker or Marchisio usually start

Nocerino: Why did Palermo sell me?

(IMG:http://football-italia.net/pics300/nocerinonews.jpg)

Milan’s Antonio Nocerino has told the Corriere dello Sport that he doesn’t understand why Palermo opted to get rid of him.

The midfielder was sold on transfer deadline day to Milan for just €500,000 given that he was in the final year of his contract.

“I’m still not sure why Palermo allowed my contract to run down into its last 12 months,” the Italian international noted.

“I wasn’t at an age or had significant enough wages which would have forced Palermo to sell me in that way.

“I don’t know if there was someone there who didn’t believe in me. I was disappointed at the start as I left behind some good friends.”

Nocerino, who scored a hat-trick against Parma on Wednesday, added: “You’ll have to ask President Maurizio Zamparini about the decision.

“I was expecting to sign an extension to my contract and I was ready to. It looks like it was my fault that I left, that I wanted more money or that I wasn’t happy. All of that is not true.”

Despite being surprised by his move, the former Juventus player maintains that he’s now happy at Milanello.

“Things are going incredibly well,” he added. “I’ve been here for two months, but it seems as if I’ve been here for three or four years…”


football-italia

Really like him, quickly becoming one of my favourite players.

+1

Scratch that. He is my favourite Milan player. Beast.

He's been our best player so far. Period. And to think Allegri benched him against Barcelona. Insane.

That's just Allegri for you.

He is quickly becoming a favourite of mine. And to think Juve cast him aside... It makes the entire Pirlo thing easier to swallow for me.

Aside from his crucial goals, his overall play has been immense ever since he was shifted to the left side. Best buy the club has made since Kaka (taking into account the money that was spent)

Fixed. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Heck even we can pool up 500K if we tried. Awesome buy.

Think Kaka' was probably better value for money, but Noce is definitely close.

Agreed. And let's not forget Silva, too.

Still think it was Silva...best thing after Ricky. Followed by Ibra.