[jbryant1]

Zambrotta is Italian and a hell of a full back.

Ronaldinho would be too expensive but would lead to big profits and further prestige for the club pulling him. If he could rediscover his form we would be top in Serie A again.

Overall I feel happy that we have Pato and Ronaldo in there. The key is whether Ronaldo can stay healthy. This hasn't happened in 4 years. Napoli is a 3rd rate team that any good club can brush aside. In the end the true test will come in the Champions League and the big clubs of Serie A.

In the next year or so without a fresh approach to this Milan team I see further deterioration. We have Pato and Kaka and thats it. The rest of our stars are breaking 30 and losing ground. I see Fiorentina, Roma, and Juventus maturing, and Inter maintaining their dominance with aggressive action to bring in the reinforcements.

Overall I see no real reason why Bertlusconi should be so optimistic. You can't brag when you hold the Club World Cup and are in 12th place in your domestic league and your second string can't even give Catania a run for their money.

[Jack Sparrow]

^^^
There are benefits to getting Zambrotta and R20.

But in Zambrotta's case, there are next to no drawbacks. Unless you consider having to loan Grimi for one more season a drawback. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

R20 comes with a lot of excess baggage, that we might or might not be able to handle. The only advantage that R20 has over Zambrotta is that he could pay his own wages, with his merchandise.

With Zambrotta, we could even play a genuine 4-4-2, instead of having Brocchi as a winger.

I don't agree with calling Napoli a third rate team. They did beat Juve 3-1. And if you saw the match, it was no fluke. They're the proverbial case of 'size of the fight in the dog and not the size of the dog in the fight'. A good team, who at the moment I would rate higher than Lazio. But that match was not important for it's opponents. We are playing a new system for the first time...a genuine 4-3-3, not that cr@p with Seedorf as forward. A formation, not even used in friendlies before. So that was the test, not how good Napoli are. My only glitch, is Napoli played right into our hands with their open game. I'd have preferred them to play a bit more constipated, see how we deal with it.

As for the fresh approach, we are left with no choice. For instance Paolo leaves, and you simply have NO option, but to get a new first rate for his place. Fans might tolerate getting an Oliveira for Sheva for the time being, but trying to get someone second rate for Maldini would be bloody murder.

I think there's stuff happening, in the primavera too. We have some decent defenders in there....(don't forget a whole lot of them are on loan in Serie A), Paloschi looks promising. And our striking line, is pretty ok at present. Maybe in 2 years when Pippo and R99 are done, but we can't buy top quality strikers to use 2 years down the line.

What does worry me though is the huge hole in mid-field.

Yes, I know I wear my Pirlo's b!tch badge on my sleeve, but if you think about it, our gameplay is so revolving around him. 60% of our plays come through Andy. With the rest being Seedorf and Kaka. In my mind, that is a scary thought, especially when we don't have a plan B.

So I'd say if we are looking to rebuild, we should start by taking a look at the mid-field for the future. Hinging everything on Yoann, as much as I like him, is a bit risky.

But I'm not worried. I have no doubts, that the Milan new generation is on it's way.

It would mostly revolve around Pa-Ka, Andy,Rino and Nesta.

This post has been edited by Jack Sparrow: Jan 17 2008, 05:03 AM

[han2503]

Zambrotta Wants Milan - Agent

Beppe Bonetto, Gianluca Zambrotta's agent, revealed to SportItalia that his client would surely join Milan if he leaves Barcelona this summer.

Bonetto dropped another hint that Zambrotta could be on his way to the Rossoneri in June, even though he would prefer if president Silvio Berlusconi was more cautious with his words.

"If Zambrotta leaves Barcelona, he will only go to Milan, but sincerely I believe that president Berlusconi's words were a bit too premature," declared Bonetto, referring to Berlusconi's Sunday statement that Zambrotta would surely join the Rossoneri.

Bonetto also spoke about his other clients, including Alberto Gilardino and Enzo Maresca.

"We spoke about Gilardino and I'm sure that he will not leave. He will remain at Milan for 10 more years," he confirmed.

"With regards to Maresca, I was in talks all day long with Inter and [director of sports, Marco] Branca. They preferred Maniche, but if they want Enzo, we're available to listen. We're always ready to take a phone call."

[han2503]

Imo we should have gotten him instead of Barca in the first place. But this would still work out.

I know we're trying to go for younger players but Zambro is one of the best if not the best full back around. And I wouldn't trade him for any kid.

Securing him in the summer will be a big boost for the defence. And with another couple of signings I think next season we'll be able to make a real push for Serie A

[Jack Sparrow]

What the maltese falcon said...exactly what he said.

[Zed.D]

Well, I really wanted Dani Alves... but it seems that you can't always get what you want... Zambrotta is world-class, no doubt, but he's 31. why do we always go for players who are in their thirties and somehow past their prime...?

[Rossoneri7]

Well, I really wanted Dani Alves... but it seems that you can't always get what you want... Zambrotta is world-class, no doubt, but he's 31. why do we always go for players who are in their thirties and somehow past their prime...?

We all want someone, and naturally that someone has to be an exciting player .. Who is young, fast, and is full of potential.

But, IMO, the reasons behind the club almost always preferring the players that are around 30 yrs of age is simple. They come with a wealth of experience (which at this level is a must), they can handle pressure, they bring maturity and humbleness into the team, and above all are proven at the highest of levels. With that said, I doubt the players Milan bring in are past their prime, since they are evaluated before hand and not spontaneous buys.

[Jack Sparrow]

^^^

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Tottenham and Kaboul

[han2503]

We all want someone, and naturally that someone has to be an exciting player .. Who is young, fast, and is full of potential.

But, IMO, the reasons behind the club almost always preferring the players that are around 30 yrs of age is simple. They come with a wealth of experience (which at this level is a must), they can handle pressure, they bring maturity and humbleness into the team, and above all are proven at the highest of levels. With that said, I doubt the players Milan bring in are past their prime, since they are evaluated before hand and not spontaneous buys.

I agree with you to some degree as I said in my previous post, I wouldn't trade Zambro for anyone not even Dani Alvaes, or any other young player. He's just pure class and having him on the team would be assured success where as with someone like Alves it would be a risk and he might not adapt well.

But we also have to bring in young players for certain positions. It can't always be this way. Yes older players come with a lot of pros but the fact that they are 30 years or older is a disadvantage on it's own.

The club needs to start bringing in guys wh0 are in the 23 -26 age group, not older then that, unless they are of Zambrotta's class of course, then I don't really care if they're 30