(IMG:style_emoticons/default/puke.gif)

We really need to make a clean sweep, Silvio waxing lyrical from his throne will not work imo

Especially if he somehow manages to smuggle Galliani another big position in the new hierarchy


So there's a bidding war?

I really don't care if Silvio remains as honorary president or not. His influence will be minimal, just like with Moratti after Tohir took over. No-one will give two shits about him.

And look how Inter have thrived since then...

What's that got to do with anything?

They sold to FE billionaires leaving Moratti as HP and it hasn't improved them at all.

Just think if we sell we have to sever ties to Silvio completely.

But what does the HP role have to do with whether the club improves or not? It's just a title, and a worthless one. In fact, Moratti had to resign because Tohir didn't listen to him anymore. If we sell the majority of the shares to these FE buyers, Berlusconi's influence will become insignificant.

A change in management does not necessarily mean a change for the better, it all depends on the quality of the new management. In the case of Inter it looks like they are still struggling. However, we are so bad right now that the chances of us getting even worse feel rather low. So, personally speaking, I am happy to take the chance.

As am I, I just don't want Silvio even having a say as a mere HP. It's like a non-executive board member. Might not have power, but people will still listen to you.

And that's good. A good firm always keeps opposite ideas close. This is what got us down, why now emulate the same pattern?

According to this, Santos wants Robinho, and they may be willing to trade. The name Gabriel Barbosa ('Gabigol') is mentioned (supposedly a promising forward, ~20 years old and part of Brazil's U20 NT). Anyone have any idea if he is any good?

According to Tuttosport, we are after Iago Falque, possibly as part of a trade involving Niang. From what I can see, he does not sounds overly impressive. Typical of our recent signings, though.

Gabriel is okay. He's prolific scoring goals, and of course, he comes from Santos' youth who is renowned as one of the best in Brazil, if not the best.

He still looks green of course, but so did Neymar and Robinho at his age. Santos has had offers for him for a while now, but are waiting like they did with Ney to get better prices. Except he sort of faded after a really good scoring stint back in... what was it, early 2014? It's possible he just had a good couple of months like SES.

Would I pay for him? Maybe. It's a gamble right now, moving him too young might be disastrous (see Keirrison.) As a Brazilian, I'd like him to turn 20 or so before moving.

This post has been edited by Linkman: May 4 2015, 05:51 AM

Falque is ok. He tore us to pieces the other week, which is in all fairness more a reflection of how astoundingly rubbish De Sciglio is than how good Falque is, but nevertheless he's a good player in his own right.

Can't say much more than that. The ambition level we're at is basically Falque.

Looks like Saponara is doing very well at Empoli. The article suggests we should try to get him back. I would like to hope we could aim higher, but looking at our team this year it probably was a mistake to let him go ("youth strategy", right).

Apparently both Monaco and Liverpool are after Menez. Not sure when his contract expires, but if it was up to me I would sell for decent money. Yes, he has scored lots of goals for us this year, but he is not really a team player, and I would like to think we could do better (assuming we get some money and new management, of course).