[arivanjj]

Milan are becoming increasingly Brazilian, as reports suggest Santos star Ze Roberto will arrive in June.

“I will only make a decision after having finished the League and the Copa Libertadores,” he assured, although many believe the choice has already been made.

The midfielder may already be 32 years old, but he was the most impressive player for the Selecao in the 2006 World Cup.

He had been set for a move to the Rossoneri last July, only for an injury and consequent left knee surgery to nix the deal.

Ze Roberto has now fully recovered and is continuing to impress for Santos under former Selecao boss Wanderlei Luxemburgo in a new Fantasista role.

“In Europe they know me as a different player. It is better that way, as it means I can be three figures all in one.”

The South American is certainly no stranger to this continent, as he played in Germany for 10 years on the left flank, then moved to the centre for Brazil in an Andrea Pirlo-style position.

He penned a contract with Santos that only runs for 10 months, so he will be free to join the side of his choice in June 2007.

The search for a Pirlo alternative at Milan has been so far fruitless, with Johann Vogel and Yoann Gourcuff failing to adequately fill the role.


Channel4

[Costacurta]

I really hope this story is a joke. Why is there an assumption that Brazilian=only option.

I don't think Brazil won the last World Cup so they are not the be all and end all. Ze Roberto is not a bad player, but frankly why would we actively desire him?

We don't need another player like him. It seems that if we are adding another AM it will be Ronaldinho and to be fair, he would be a worthy addition to any squad. We still have Seedorf who is looking a bit more like he cares this season. If we were to recruit, we should look only for the best quality, someone along the lines of Gerrard who could play either in CM or as an AM. If Deco went on sale he would be worth considering.

It just annoys me, and I see it in the Juan story, that every Brazilian wants to come to Milan, and Milan seem to be happy to let that happen. Whatever happened to a meritocracy- best player for the position. I know for a start, that if we were looking for a CB, a Brazilian is the last person I would think to fill the role, especially at a club like Milan with its historic defence. If we want a new CB, and lets face it, the sooner the better given Maldini et al, then Barzagli seems to be the best option by far. Surely we should be able to gazump him off Juve with the temptation of CL football, and who'd want to go to Juve with their distinctly blackened name. I spose, first though we must secure 4th place, and that is a different task altogether.....

[kurtsimonw]

I don't think Brazil won the last World Cup so they are not the be all and end all. Ze Roberto is not a bad player, but frankly why would we actively desire him?

I thought it was him that wanted to come to Milan, not us wanting him?

Anyways, I think Brazilian players in general are better at football, they've proved this since well, since World football started. As long as we keep an Italian base with Brazillians to compliment we'll be fine. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

This post has been edited by kurtsimonw: Mar 31 2007, 10:22 PM

[LaPalma]

I thought it was him that wanted to come to Milan, not us wanting him?

Anyways, I think Brazilian players in general are better at football, they've proved this since well, since World football started. As long as we keep an Italian base with Brazillians to compliment we'll be fine.  (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Brazilian players are better tha others? That's so not true! I could name dozens of brazilian players who are simply cr@p. Edu, China, Junior, Roque Junior and so on. But if you're brazilian everyone thinks " WOW! He has to be good, he's brazilian." Let's not forget that Brazil with 180 Million inhabitants is the biggest football nation in the world.