[misha]

According to reports in Italy, Milan are absolutely desperate to sell Nelson Dida, but are finding it an impossible task due to the goalkeeper’s astronomical wages.

Dida’s 2007/08 season with the Rossoneri was nothing short of disastrous, and there have been constant reports in the press that he will be sold this summer.

The first half of the Brazilian’s campaign was ridden with errors, including a costly one in the Milan derby before Christmas. The 34-year-old eventually lost his place to Zeljko Kalac in January, and did not feature again for the remainder of the campaign.

This coming campaign, Dida looks likely to be third choice goalkeeper behind Kalac and the returning Christian Abbiati.

With this in mind, it is being reported in Italy that Milan have no space for the 34-year-old and are absolutely desperate to offload him from their wage bill.

Unfortunately, the club are finding it impossible to find a buyer because Dida currently earns an astronomical €4.5m a season, with his contract at San Siro running until 2010.

If the Rossoneri were to release Dida on a free transfer it could cost them a small fortune in compensation. Thus Milan find themselves in a sticky situation over what exactly to do with the former Cruzeiro man.

Roberto Rossi

[acid911]

Um, okay. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

And yeah, I'd do the same if I were Dida. But the point is what if (hypothetically speaking, of course) Abbiati turns out to be over rated and Kalac back to his usual self. Then what? It is then I'd give Dida a chance to try and get his marbles back. If he can't, then adios. Thanks for the memories. But anyway, having Dida as third choice, with respective wage structure, is infinitely better than Fiori, Storari, Molari or Dolari. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) For a couple of millions a year, he's a decent third choice, provided he can't find his mojo back.

Or better yet, we can invest in a new younger, talented keeper. Which I seriously think we should have this year. Someone along the lines of Lloris, give or take. A natural. Prepare him for the future task. We missed out on it this transfer season. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) Like most of you said, currently all three of our keepers are of the same calibre, whether due to nature or being out of form. That's never a good thing.

As for the league, blaming it all on the keeper won't get us anywhere. That's what mid-table teams do. For the defense, midfield and attack of a League leader should be capable enough to take the team out from any situation. It's after all a league - there are 38 matches to be played. What if Dida is out of favor, and both of our keepers have a wretched time in front of the goal in the beginning? Does that mean we're down and out? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) The league is always decided towards the end, when top teams have to play in Europe as well as concentrate on the league.

All in all, I want this glovesmen discussion thingy out by the next season (or two). We fans deserve better. In fact, one of the absolute bests. There are other areas of discussion, not losing hairs over who should be first and second choice. Top clubs don't do this. But I guess keepers and Milan have never worked out well enough. Some call Dida the all time best keeper of Milan, and I've seen him included in most favorite XI lists. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) That tells the story, I guess.

Okay, time for my mid-day nap. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)