Naah, cross Berto off, we need at least 2 capable players, one good midfielder and one more experienced defender.

January is a bust alas. The sale is fine, the approval for export of Chinese cash is the problem. We won't be getting anything exciting in January.

Totally not predictable (!)

Trust in Berto...and Sosa...and Mati Fernandez.

On a serious note, what are you guys' thoughts on selling off Zapata? We can make a pretty buck for him, but I'm not sure if our depth is good enough.

Also wondering if he should be tried out at LB. It's a position he's used to play before.

Jack, I've never seen anyone who overrates our players as much as you do. Seriously, 50% of our roster is trash, and the other 50% consists of mediocre players whom Montella is utilizing to their fullest.

Paletta is somebody we loaded off because of how bad he was with us during his first spell. And at 30 that was his highest achievement! Gomez is an absolute nobody that's still a big question mark. De Sciglio barely plays a match where he performs above average. Kucka was a Genoa reject that was going to sign for frigging Bursaspor. Locatelli is a young Montolivo doppelgänger. Niang is the clumsiest player to have worn this shirt after Traore. The list goes on.

The only players I think have what it takes to feature in a top European club are Donnarumma (who's still 17!!!), Abate, Romagnoli, Bonaventura, Suso and Bacca to an extent.

We all know it's a miracle we're 2nd at this point, so let's not get over ourselves.

This year's award for Grumpiest Milanisti goes to!

We have Antonelli for LB. One of the best in the league when on form. For me, it's a non-issue.

Zaps is surplus now - he and Romagnoli would never work, and he and Paletta never worked. So yeah, if we can get a few quid, good idea.

I'd be up for selling Zapata too, we should clean house, and only bring players in if we send some out. For me, the outbound list should include: Gabriel (I have heard he doesn't want to sit on the bench & we can sign an experienced sub), Vangioni (was a mistake), Zapata, Mati, Sosa, Honda, Adriano, and if he wants to go and we can make a buck Bacca.

I know Bacca is a controversial issue here because he started the season red-hot but I don't like that he went to Sevilla and hung out at their training ground and whined that it's not a good time for him here. Plus his attitude on the field is terrible and he has on more than one occasion complained about coming off after having a poor game. He doesn't involve himself in the build up at all either, and he is a horrid passer. That being said, he is a world class poacher which is always nice to have but we have a lot of dead money in him, and he is dropping in value quickly. Perhaps Emery and PSG will come calling, and I wouldn't be upset to see his back. If he does go, though, we aren't fine as we are, we would need another forward. I'd say Gabbiadini would be a solid option. He is versatile enough to play along with the front three and could use some consistent playing time.

I'd like to see another defender come in as well, Sakho would be a good (cheap) option. He is still relatively young and is quite athletic for a cb which is always a good trait.

But, a midfielder should be our top priority, and I would like it to be one who sends a message that there is money coming and we intend to build something real here. A young promising player or an older highly skilled option to bump the quality through the team. Aside from that, I think that we should stand pat and keep pushing the youth project, see how far it can get us this year before some major money comes in this summer.


Not too much to ask right?

This post has been edited by maldini03: Dec 5 2016, 03:50 AM

Haha. If I put in #sarcasm everywhere in my post, it gets boring.

I hear you, but I'm not really against this whole Montella getting the fullest out of player thing. That's how coaching and team play works.

Niang had an off-day against Crotone, it happens. He's been one of our most over-used players for one, and for another yesterday's game just illustrated why Jack is probably the most important attacking player we have. No Jack, no party(read this on twitter (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ). Pasalic will take some time to get used to that role.

Of course it is a miracle we are in 2nd. But the question is what next - what's the end game here? Outside of the European places point objective?

Does Montella use this year to build the spine of the team, truly decide the players he wants to keep/develop and then build on it (in other words prepare for a long term project ~5-6 years) or do we go crazy like Inter and buy 'top' players for big bucks and hope it all fits in.

I like Gustavo Gomez, he has guts and not even one full season in Serie A. He'll come good I feel. Paletta is a stop gap-sure, but he complements Romagnoli wonderfully and this is important for us. I suppose we could see if we can land someone who will do the same role that Stam did for us a decade ago.

Maybe Ivanovic?

If Bacca goes, then I don't know who. I know Gabbadiani is interesting(good call there maldini03) but he'd require playing time, and we have just one striker. But having him as a competition/rotation to both Suso and Niang would be a good idea.

What I like about this team and why I'm so happy is that people are stepping up at different phases of the season to make it count for the team, in addition to Bonaventura being beautifully brilliant throughout.


1. Bacca on Fire
2. Niang pulling us along with goals and won penalties
3. Suso going majestic
4. Lapagol mania!


Actually this is what gives me faith, more than if we were getting pulled along by one star player. Roma for example are going to lose Salah to the ACN, and will be properly Dzeko dependent.

Montella meanwhile with all his squad rotation is actually in my opinion getting minutes into player's legs. I'm hopeful this will serve us well in the second half of the season.

Anyway, I've rambled.

For this winter - I believe we must clean house and bring in replacements only as we need. My focus would be on a winger. For midfield, I'm not yet sure. Not in favour of buying someone just to fill in the numbers. It's either a top name who goes straight to the Starting XI or fine as we are.

I read on twitter that we are planning to land Atalanta's Gagliardini in January but continue to loan him to Atalanta till the end of the season.

I know Atalanta are doing great, but how is this player? Unlike the old days I no longer watch random Serie A matches, only the Milan ones.

Yup, real happy with Montella. I think that given the team he has he is doing an amazing job.


My sense is that even once we get money it will be a slower build up rather than "instant gratification". But this is just a WAG. Also, for whatever reason B&G are not allowing Montella to talk to the new management, so any advance scouting been done is not coordinated with him.


I think we need to fix some serious issues. However, I have low expectations for this winter. If B&G are still in charge, then expect young-ish Italian players, including some unknowns.


... like, for example ...

The fact that the closing has been pushed back again is beginning to give me some pause about this sale. With Renzi the PM stepping down, I'm sure Berlusconi has an eye on the gov again. Maybe he is looking to use us at a tool for his political success once again...

The bigger issue is how this will affect our winter transfer market. If we want sustained success we must sell and buy this window. There are players who are unsettled out there that would be good investments (Bazoer, Max Meyer, Goretzka, Draxler) these guys would all be good additions. I would also be up for snagging those two Atalanta players. Atalanta has had a good season, and those guys are young and promising. Also, Laxalt has come a long way at Genoa, the guy is a straight runner, with a little fine tuning he could be a better Poli.

I know the defensive wings aren't top priority but I like Atalanta's Conti, and Bologna's Masina. Both are solid young players who probably wouldn't cost too much. these are obviously mostly cheaper options. I would take a superstar if possible but I doubt the funds will be there for this window. If we aren't gonna go for broke and seriously up jump the quality we should at least bring in a few promising players, and stay as we are.

I can see Honda, Adriano, Sosa, Vangioni, and possibly Bacca going out. If this is the case, a striker also goes on the priorities list with Mid, Cb, and Winger.

The Chinese will pour another 100 million in three days. If the sale was on doubt they wouldn't do that. I think it just needs time considering how huge the whole deal is.

As for January's mercato, I don't expect anything substantial. Probably a few of departures (Adriano, Honda, Sosa) and hopefully a decent addition in midfield.

X-Off who would you want for a decent addition to midfield. I think Fabregas is off the table as he played well in the game the other day v. Man City. I doubt he ends up leaving this mercato.

I'd settle for a experienced mid and defender, plus one or two talents from the Bundesliga or somewhere else.