[Zed.D]

He is going to wear the Rossoneri shirt, isn't he? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

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Blog: The Becks trade

The news that Milan have secured David Beckham's services has been met with widespread enthusiasm, but Paul Watson offers some words of warning

(IMG:http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/blogs/galliani460.jpg)

Within 24 hours, a wild rumour had become widely accepted as fact - Beckham is on his way to Milan. On the surface, it seems to be a win-win situation. The ex-Manchester United star will finally realise his dream of wearing the Rossoneri shirt and can keep in shape for his England commitments while the Diavolo have added an extra weapon for three months without having to write a cheque.

However, I couldn't help but feel uneasy as Adriano Galliani proudly announced his latest swoop. Maybe it was because the shiny-headed transfer guru described Milan as a “product”, maybe it was because he sounded more concerned with whether Beckham would put bums on seats than whether the 33-year-old could still play. Whatever it was, the whole deal just didn't sit right.

The major worry is that the Rossoneri are in danger of becoming the San Siro State Circus. Like a mad professor, Galliani seems determined to collect football's most recognisable faces, regardless of their current condition. If Ronaldinho was a gamble, Andriy Shevchenko was shameless nostalgia and Beckham seems to be one for the sticker album.

While Serie A may regain the world's gaze with Beckham on board, the viewers will be tuning in for the wrong reasons. English, German and Spanish fans may watch, but they will do so with a slight smirk on their faces. Surely it would be much better for Milan to be seen as a hotbed of fresh talent rather than a retirement home?

Instead, the likes of Alberto Paloschi and Yoann Gourcuff have already had to leave to play their football elsewhere and the presence of Beckham will see still more fledgling starlets pushed further into the periphery - it's a trade-off the outgoing world champions can't afford to make if they want a successful future.

Milan may not have to pay a penny for Beckham, but when young talent is pushed deeper into the closet there's no such thing as a free transfer.

Channel4

[Ry4n]

Found this article today not a bad read enjoy !! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The Beckham effect

By Greg Duke
For CNN


LONDON, England (CNN) -- It is easy to see what attracted David Beckham to the San Siro, but it is a lot harder to determine exactly what the veteran England midfielder will bring to the AC Milan line-up.

Beckham stands to benefit hugely from his two-month move to Milan, but what does the club get?

For Beckham's part, his loan move from parent club LA Galaxy in January, albeit only until the MLS season kicks off again in March, is a complete no-brainer.

The advantages for Beckham are endless. He gets to play for a top European side, keeps himself match-fit while the MLS is in hibernation, and remains on the radar of England coach Fabio Capello who, as a former Milan coach, will be able to keep a vigilant eye on developments in Italy.

There is also the added advantage of Milano's high standing within the world of fashion to keep Mrs Beckham satisfied during the winter season.

The key for Beckham is that he loves playing for his country and would do anything to extend his international career. He currently possesses 107 caps, just one away from the English record for an outfield player, held by the legendary World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore.

Therefore a short stint in Serie A, the one league he hasn't chanced his arm in yet, was always going to be an attractive proposition for Beckham.

But where will he fit in at top-of-the-table Milan, who are starting to have a "Galaticos" look about them once again.

Last season was a complete disaster for the Rossoneri, finishing outside the Champions League places and humiliated by Arsenal in Europe, a result that highlighted how old and wooden-legged the squad had become.

Despite these failures, the pressure on coach Carlo Ancelotti was almost non-existent. The longest-serving coach in Serie A, Ancelotti is granted hero-like status at the San Siro, after achieving two Champions Leagues and one Scudetto during his seven-year tenure.

Yet, more than anybody, Ancelotti knew some of the veterans in his creaking squad had to go. And they did...

Brazilian defenders Cafu (38) and Serginho (37), reserve goalkeeper Valerio Fiori (39), Croatian defender Dario Simic (32), midfielders Cristian Brocchi (32) and Ibrahim Ba (34) and injury-plagued striker Ronaldo (32) were all shipped out along with under-performing, if a lot younger, striker Alberto Gilardino.

In their place arrived the much-younger Arsenal pair Mathieu Flamini and Philippe Senderos, Italy right-back Gianluca Zambrotta and the returning hero Andrei Shevchenko from Chelsea.

But perhaps, more significantly, Ancelotti gave a home to the wayward talent of Ronaldinho. The Brazilian maestro may have lost his way at the Nou Camp, but he is still only 28, and his incisive link-up play with compatriot Kaka has worked a treat for Milan. In fact, it was Ronaldinho's free-kick against Napoli that was deflected in for an own goal to send Milan back to the top of the table for the first time in four years.

The Ronaldinho-Kaka axis will be integral to Milan's hopes this season and Beckham's arrival will not change that, but all along the midfield and attack, Milan look to be top-heavy with players.

Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini, Clarence Seedorf, Flamini, Emerson and Alexandre Pato are all vying for three places, if you assume that the Brazilian pair will be joined in attack by either Shevchenko, Marco Borriello or Pippo Inzaghi. Throw Beckham into the mix, and it becomes even more confusing.

Despite the summer clear-out of seven 30-somethings, there are still plenty of old-timers in the Milan squad -- and the imminent arrival of 33-year-old Beckham further proves that Ancelloti has a soft spot for the more mature footballer.

Yet even the wily Ancelotti will be aware that he has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal and that Beckham is by no means guaranteed a regular starting place, especially if Milan continue to lead the way come January.

Beckham's stay will be for just two months and it could be a major gamble for Ancelotti to change a winning team just to accommodate a player for eight weeks -- even if he still remains one of the best dead-ball experts in world football.

Beckham certainly needs Milan, but do Milan need Beckham?

Link: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/football...f=intlOnlyonCNN

This post has been edited by rhy_A4: Nov 4 2008, 02:56 PM