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Posted by: Danny Jul 1 2017, 03:58 PM

Never quite sure where to start a thread so 'other' always seems best.

Just wanted to get general opinion from the board as to your feelings on our summer recruits so far - do you guys think we're in the right direction?

Personally I know little of Musacchio, but as Han says, a vital cog in Spain's second best defence last season has to be a decent recruit.

Kessie seems like the powerful box to box dynamic midfielder we've lacked in a long time - while Jack sort of fills that role, he's much more of an attacking midfielder really, so Kessie is a great piece of business.

Rodriguez is a great signing - comes from a great stable, a good age, and a massive upgrade over the garbage of De Sciglio.

Then there's Silva. Meh, I'm not blown away by his record, or his attitude. He's only young, true, but we've spent a lot of money on a player who appears combustible and who doesn't have a good scoring record in a weaker league than Serie A. I defer judgement on this one but it's not a signing I'm enthralled by.

Last but not least Borini. A sh*t signing, plain and simple. Not even good enough to be a squad player, I have no idea what he's doing here.

But I can pick it up with Calhanoglu - we appear close to this one, and from what I know of him, which is not a lot in truth, he's a top class attacking midfielder who would be such an upgrade to what we have.

Overall? I'm cautiously pleased. We've signed a lot of very good players and one or two I'm a little wary of. I wanted this done in 2011, but it's better late than never. Unfortunately rather than, as it would have been in 2011, adding fine players to a world class squad, we're rebuilding really from scratch.

But for me, it appears to be closer to going to Milan as we should be rather than in a poor direction.

7/10.

13/7/17 update:

We've now got Conti, Biglia and Bonucci. A RB, a CM, and a world class CB.

Suddenly we have a top four team. We now have a top four team. Yes. I am not going to declare a Scudetto challenge but we're much closer to one than we were a few days ago. This is now looking like a Milan level team.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 1 2017, 04:21 PM

Calhanoglu and Borini are not really up my ally, I'm happy with the rest and will be ecstatic once we close the Conti deal as well as he looks to be the real deal

I'm going to go ahead and give it a 6/10 so far.

But I think once we've gotten rid of all the deadwood and brought in a regista plus some other good squad players, I think it's safe to say that this will most likely be a 9/10 mercato

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Jul 1 2017, 06:32 PM

I am happy with all the signings. Especially with Musacchio, Rodriguez and Canhanoglu. Conti is good signing too, I think we payed too much for him, but those are not my money, so I'm glad.

As for Kessie and Silva, I think they are young and it is more of a gamble, even though it is clear that they have much talent.

Fassone said we will have 2/3 squad ready till pre season starts, so that means that we can expect at least 2 more signings and if we sell Bacca we will sign a top striker like Belotti.

I give this mercato a 8/10 until now.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 1 2017, 09:11 PM

8/10 till now.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jul 3 2017, 11:29 AM

Yeah. So 7.5 from me. I think I generally like the idea that we're building from the back. I would have liked to see more progress on getting rid of the extra players though. But I imagine - Montella would like to run a few training sessions before deciding for himself who he wants to keep on, and who he wants to move on.

Hakan is a good signing, seeing as we already have Suso and Jack. Hopefully these two continue to be consistent for us going forward. Still missing one top striker and one proven mid, who could make all the difference between 4th and finishing in automatic CL qualification spots.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 3 2017, 01:42 PM

4th will be an automatic CL qualifying spot as well come next season

As for the players who'll be leaving, I'm sure we'll see a lot more exits in the coming few weeks

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jul 3 2017, 01:45 PM

Really? I think 4th means you have to play the pre-qualification before making it to the round of 32? Like we did in 2007?

And with it being a world cup year - I think we should just look to lighten our workload as much as we can.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 3 2017, 07:11 PM

No, starting from next season the first four spots in Italy, Spain, England and I think Germany will qualify directly to the CL group stages. News rules from UEFA. You must have missed it.

As for this mercato, I think we should really appreciate the fact that in about a month we've signed 7 players (counting Conti as well who seems like a done deal at this point).

Musacchio, Kessie, Rodriguez, Silva, Calhanoglu and Conti are all very good signings. No-one is a world beater, but we cannot afford world beaters right now. Next season, as we make it to the CL, we can strengthen our roster even more with a couple of world class signings.

Posted by: Danny Jul 3 2017, 09:55 PM

It's actually the level I was looking for. I didn't expect us to make 6 50M signings. Not gonna happen. But what I wanted was to build a team filled with high quality players from modest to high quality teams. A foundation of very good players who would reassert us in the UCL spots and then build from there and increase the ambition.

We do just need that one marquee signature though, to send out a message.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 4 2017, 09:48 AM

But, do you guys think that these 7 signings (counting Conti as well even though it's taking forever) are enough to guarantee us top 4? I still think we're gambling a bit, and we need that one difference maker who can come in and be an instant game changer for us

Atm we're banking a lot on things going as perfect as possible to get that CL position, if things go wrong with injuries/fixtures/team chemistry we could lose out and it will be a massive hit to the new owner's plans

Posted by: Danny Jul 4 2017, 10:50 AM

Right now it's not enough for top four, but it's going in that direction.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jul 4 2017, 12:20 PM

I think you're right partly. We have to realise that unlike us, the other teams are yet to make moves in the transfer market. We don't yet know what they'll stock up on. We have to take for granted that Inter will build to challenge for CL. They can't afford not to.

So if the teams stay as they are and if the new signings play to potential then I would say we have a serious chance to make it to 4th. Of course injuries etc. are risks. But we do have a relatively young squad so we should hopefully not have injured players lay down for too long.

Posted by: amancik Jul 4 2017, 12:32 PM

I think on paper with our first XI we should be able to secure 4th place. But it's gonna be a long season with more competitive matches in Europe so squad depth will also be key. If we don't make anymore signings I would like Abate, Calabria, Locatelli, Kucka, Paletta, Plizzari and Montolivo to stay. We should sell Vangioni, Sosa, Bacca, Zapata and De Sciglio.

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Jul 4 2017, 12:34 PM

Yes I do. If we get another class midfielder like Modric or so, I think we are good to fight for Scudetto.

Posted by: Danny Jul 4 2017, 01:41 PM

Wow, you think signing one player would elevate this Milan to Juve level?!

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Jul 4 2017, 02:03 PM

We get Modric and we would have a team like this :



This is a Scudetto competitive team, say what you want.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jul 4 2017, 02:05 PM

It's a proven striker away from being Scudetto competitive. My stand has been one top midfielder and one top striker is needed.

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Jul 4 2017, 02:38 PM

If we sell Bacca then I am sure one will come. So I don't think we are that bad as Danny is making it seem.

Posted by: Danny Jul 4 2017, 03:37 PM

It's a top four team for me, premature to say Scudetto. Juve strolled it last season with a UCL final. I mean I'd love you to be right of course, but for me there's just no chance.

And to answer your follow up point, at no point did I say 'bad' anything! You do also forget the part about Juve being a team of winners with a winning coach - we could sign a bunch of top class players and yet none of the above players, Modric aside, understand winning at the top levels. They all know UCL and high class football. But pushing for the title? Add Montella as well - he's never challenged for a title far less won one.

What I'm saying is give it time and don't have expectations beyond what is realistic.

Posted by: Danny Jul 4 2017, 03:38 PM

What are we qualifying as 'Scudetto' competitive? Like a serious shout at overcoming Juve?

Posted by: han2503 Jul 4 2017, 05:26 PM

But you have to consider that we've already made 6(7) signings so far. I don't think we'll make a lot more. We know we're looking at another striker but as far as the regista goes everything is still up in the air. Plus we have to see who they'll sign for squad depth if all the players quoted to be leaving do in fact leave.

I think so far, with all the signings put in, we have a good first 11 which is still not at Napoli/Roma level, even Inter (on paper) can be considered better than us. So that's why I think there's still a few missing puzzle pieces left before I can call this a 9/10 mercato


Well you can't say how things will turn out. Juve's first season under Conte barely had any injuries, and he literally played almost the same starting 11 in each game. Luck has to factor in, add to that we have the EL next season so we need to make sure that Montella can rotate without the quality dropping too much as has been the case for a while

I don't know, I just think we're still missing 1 to 2 key signings. Don't get me wrong, all our actitivy has been good (bar Borini), but it's still a gamble imo and I still don't see us a shoe ins for top 4


I think you guys are sort of forgetting the fact that it's still very early in the window and other teams still have a lot of time left to improve their squads. I think Roma and Inter will definitely make some signings in the next few weeks. These are the 2 teams we need to watch out for as I think the battle for the final 2 CL spot will be between us and them


Nah, don't think we're there yet, Modric and a top striker and I can confidently say we'd be better than Napoli, but I still think we'd be a slight step away from Juve.


They are the gold standard atm, so that's what he must be saying, but I don't think even Modric would be enough. Add a top class striker and we'd be close, but I still think Juve would have the edge


Top CM, top striker and another top CB. I think that's what we'd need. Something I can't see us accomplishing this summer

Posted by: Danny Jul 4 2017, 09:44 PM

No, I mean what qualifies as Scudetto competitive? Pushing for top four, managing to be top two? Because at one point last season we were top two.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 4 2017, 10:12 PM

If we sign Biglia, then we're top 4. If we sign someone better (say, Fabregas), then we're aiming for that 2nd spot.

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Jul 5 2017, 09:21 AM

What do you say if we sign someone like Fabregas or Modric and Belotti or Aubumayang ? Would we be fighting for 1st place ?

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jul 5 2017, 09:23 AM

Scudetto competitive in my book means we are in contention for the top spot till maybe the last few weeks of the season. I don't see us doing this to be honest.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 5 2017, 10:16 AM

Yes, we'd be fighting for the scudetto. But that's not gonna happen. The players you mentioned are very expensive.

Posted by: Danny Jul 5 2017, 10:40 AM

You just said we're one great striker away from it!

Posted by: han2503 Jul 5 2017, 10:41 AM

Fighting for 1st spot thoughout an entire season. Meaning, keeping pace with Juve for the duration, something which neither Napoli, nor Roma have managed to do

That's why I currently think of Serie A as a one horse race, becuase there's no one capable of challenging them for 1st


Disagree, I think we'd be in there fighting for it, but we wouldn't be shoe-ins either. Inter and Roma could still take those spots atm


We'd be fighting with Napoli for 2nd, but I still think we'd need that Thiago/Nesta level CB to truely be at Juve level, which is what fighting for 1st means

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Jul 5 2017, 10:53 AM

If we sell Bacca, Niang, Kucka and some other minor deals, we would have 40 million extra for transfers. Which means 70 for striker and 45-50 for midfielder. I think we have that money that is why I am insisting that we will have pretty decent team to fight for Scudetto this year.



Why buy Musacchio then ? Our defence is quite well covered.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 5 2017, 11:02 AM

I didn't say 2nd place would be a sure thing, but that we'd be aiming for it.

I've made a bet with a friend (Inter fan) that this season we're finishing 3rd, he says we're finishing 5th. 4th place is a stale mate.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 5 2017, 12:53 PM

Not talking about 2nd place either, I was talking 3rd and 4th places

For me, Juve are undisputed atm. Napoli are shoe ins for 2nd

The other 2 spots will be up for grabs between us, Inter and Roma

Let's also not discount teams like Lazio, who could have another very good season

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jul 5 2017, 01:10 PM

Not exactly. I said one Modric and Zlatan away from it. I took names.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 5 2017, 01:49 PM

Zlatan is out of commission until January, and you'd have to assess whether he'd be as much of an impact signing as he was before the knee injury.

No doubt I'd still take him on a single leg, but you have to consider if he will be a bit limited when he returns

Posted by: Danny Jul 13 2017, 03:54 PM

I upgrade my 7/10 to 9 if we get Bonucci. THAT would be our marquee signing. That is a game changer.

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Jul 13 2017, 04:31 PM

Agree. And I am sure that Bonucci wont be the last to come.

Posted by: Fishdoll Jul 13 2017, 04:40 PM

I'm hard pressed to remember a market that was this good. Granted, the team needed reinforcements desperately. The signings thus far have been solid (not counting the elder Donnarumma. that one bugs me) and have strengthened areas that needed it badly. I think the team could use a trequartista and a CF but I also don't think that Mirabelli and Fassone are quite done.

And then there's the Bonucci thing. If that comes off...yeah. That would be a marquee signing and serious statement of intent.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 13 2017, 08:26 PM

What if we get both Bonucci and Auba??

Can our fragile Milan hearts handle that kind of action after years of neglect?

Posted by: Danny Jul 13 2017, 08:28 PM

No. I'll quite simply pass out and expect to wake up to Paletta and Lapadula.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 13 2017, 08:57 PM

Let's all pray to whatever god we believe in that this Bonucci deal gets done between today and tomorrow. Then I'd like to see us put all our efforts into signing Auba/Belotti for the rest of the summer

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 13 2017, 10:17 PM

Trequarista? We just signed Calhanoglu.

Posted by: Danny Jul 13 2017, 10:23 PM

Treqs are dead. Anyone who thinks football still uses treqs is stuck in 2009.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 13 2017, 10:25 PM

In the classical sense, yes. But there are still plenty out there who play the role in their own way.

Posted by: Danny Jul 13 2017, 10:29 PM

Football doesn't use them any more - instead the Bonaventura is the archetype for that position now. A hard-working quick, pacy attacking midfielder-cum winger who supports the front and links play up - and most formations run with two or even three of them. I've not seen much of Calhanoglu but he seems to fit that vein too.

The Kaka or Rui Costa concept is well and truly finished.

Posted by: Danny Jul 13 2017, 10:31 PM

9/10.

Posted by: Danny Jul 13 2017, 10:42 PM

So....

--------------Donnarumma

Conti, Romagnoli, Bonucci, Rodriguez

----------------Biglia,

--------Jack, Kessie Calhanoglu

-------------Silva---Bacca

At the minute that's our strongest team. I can't think of anyone to pair Biglia with. Unless Musacchio is capable in DM. So otherwise it's a 4-1-3-2 right now.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 13 2017, 11:08 PM

Why did you put Kessie behind the strikers?

It'll definitely look like this:



Suso will be a starter and Bacca will be sold.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 13 2017, 11:10 PM

Oh, and can I say that line-up is definitely 2nd place worthy?

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 13 2017, 11:34 PM

But I think we'll go for another striker. Not sure if Silva will be our main attacker.

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Jul 14 2017, 12:40 AM

I am more than sure that we will play 3-5-2.

Why?

1. Musachio is too good to let him in the bench.
2. Both our signings on the wings (Conti and Rodriguez) perform better as wingers rather than fullbacks.
3. 3-5-2 is working in Italy.
4. We can use Calhanoglus passing and shooting abilities, while as an attacking playmaker he doesn't need to run as much.
5. We will start selling, I think Suso will be a victim, while we replace him with Ghezzal who won't mind the bench contrary to Suso.
6. We have a strong box to box midfielder like Kessie and a proven leader as a deep lying playmaker like Biglia.
7. Bonucci is known as a very good libero.
8. Silva needs a parner in the attack, he can't play solo.
9. Montella is adaptable and has more than decent tactical knowledge.
10. Cos we don't have Berlusconi to order the coach how to play.

Posted by: Danny Jul 14 2017, 01:15 AM

I've been told Kessie's a box to box midfielder not a holding midfielder.

Posted by: Danny Jul 14 2017, 01:19 AM

If he stays, and is, I sincerely hope he irons out the weaknesses in his game because in the right state of mind and on form he's epic, but for the majority of last season he wasn't. I don't want selfish ineffective Suso, one footed easily marked out Suso, sh*t corner-taking Suso.

I want the one who could beat men, the one who can assist, the one who can score. And he needs to mature because following this summer's business, he is no longer the main man - and from what I saw last season being the main man is what he wants.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 14 2017, 09:55 AM

I don't understand your harsh assessment of Suso. Yes he dropped off mid to late last season, but what do you expect really? He played in practically each game, add to that once Bona was injured he was the only focal point of the team so all teams had to do to stop us is to mark him out.

Suso is a very good player and has a lot of potential. With good players around him he will excel.

Also, I agree with d'Arc, last time out I was totally in disagreement with him that we would be playing a 3-man backline, but with Bonucci added to the mix you simply have to go there imo

Posted by: Danny Jul 14 2017, 11:35 AM

You better be right!



Yeah, I have to agree too. On reflection, we didn't sign Musacchio to bench him. All three will start and we'll go 3. Which means Conte RWB and Rodriguez LWB therefore Jack, Kessie and Biglia central, Silva front and Belotti up top.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jul 14 2017, 12:14 PM

I think what we might see is one of Suso or Jack being SS, with Silva as playmaking CF. I have to admit I'm a bit worried about this enormous financial gamble that has been taken, with no CL in sight and the pressure it brings. Just think of Inter and the spent they did a year or two ago. We've spent more.


In fact with Bonucci's purchase I think we smash the all-time Serie A transfer spend record set by Juventus for a single season.

So at this moment in time, I can't say I'm all-on on spending another 60-70MM for a forward. Let's just sort of lay off the gas right?

Posted by: Danny Jul 14 2017, 02:56 PM

This had to happen. If we want a Milan to be proud of, we had to spend big. Very big.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jul 14 2017, 03:22 PM

...we already have...and we can spend more across two seasons. It's just that this seems a bit like an ALL-IN situation in poker. Too many new faces, possibly disturbed dressing room chemistry.

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 14 2017, 04:48 PM

Those aren't really reasons, more like justifications. 3-5-2 is an outdated system, my friend. No big team in Europe employs it except Chelsea, and that's because of Conte. Even Juventus have dropped it in favor of the more modern and versatile 4-2-3-1. That should tell you something.

Moreover, I wouldn't want to sacrifice the likes of Bonaventura and Suso just because you don't want to bench Musacchio. We finally have three attacking midfielders, two of which can play on the wing. Let's use them.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 14 2017, 06:36 PM

Why though? Holding on to Suso is only going to be beneficial for us. He might not even be an outright starter next season anyway, but a great squad player. He's on low wages and a great asset to have. Add to that for 22m I would tell Spurs to f off. He's worth more than that, if Bernardo Silva is worth 40m than so does Suso, he has very similar stats and played in a much more difficult league last season

For 40m I would consider it, but nothing less, especially from an EPL side, when they're wasting huge sums on mediocre players from their own league. Look at the Kyle Walker transfer FFS!


I think they'll rotate Silva, Hakan and Kessie tbh.

I am 100% sure we're getting a striker, a pure CF to either partner Silva or be the main forward in a single striker system. We'll have to see what formation is going to be used. If it's a 3 at the back we can either go 3-4-3, 3-5-1 or 3-4-1-2, Suso and Bona fit in all of them either next to the striker or behind him. I think Hakan is more of a central player, I don't think he should be used on the wings.

If we go for 4 at the back that poses a bit of an issue, especially if we add another CF into the mix


I disagree. I think formations tend to go in fads. Atm the 3-man backline is in fashion thanks to Conte, not many teams can deploy it because it's a more complex system and your players have to know what they're doing but, I think it can be great if applied correctly.

Look at Real last season, they played a 4-3-1-2 with Isco in the hole. That's an "outdated" formation according to most but the won the CL using it

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Jul 14 2017, 08:44 PM

#Sky: Milan's offer for Belotti is €40m + Paletta. Aubameyang and Kalinic are other names for attack.

Posted by: Danny Jul 14 2017, 09:20 PM

LAWL. Are we deliberately hijacking that deal

I've also heard we're back in for Morata.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jul 14 2017, 10:29 PM

I heard (for Belotti) 40 MM + Paletta + Niang, which I think would take the figure to around the 60 MM mark. They'd probably ask for another 20 MM in cash from us.

I've heard Aubameyang is very close to Chelsea.

I'm not sure if Morata is back in the running. But just in general, I think an outlay of more than 30 MM at the moment is a huge gamble. All our sales if we get the kind of price we're hoping for, wouldn't get us more than 70MM back right?

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Jul 14 2017, 10:35 PM

True, Ive run the numbers.

Posted by: han2503 Jul 15 2017, 07:15 AM

Real want too much for Morata, let's not forget that he hasn't had a full season as the starter for either Real or Juve. They want nearly 100m for him which is insane. I say pass on him. Belotti or Auba will give us a better return on investment

Plus I think that Silva is very similar to Morata (style wise). While Belotti and Auba are pure goal scorers. I'd rather go for either one of them than Morata


I don't think it really matters how much we earn from sales. Fassone had said that there's still a significant amount of budget for transfers left, of course we've signed Bonucci and Biglia since then, but I think they've always had in mind a big name striker for the summer, so I'm thinking they have money set aside for that. Whatever we make from sales will be re-invested in 1 or 2 squad signings.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 15 2017, 09:18 AM

Why do we have a parallel transfer thread opened?

Posted by: X-Offender Jul 15 2017, 10:12 AM

Because too many signings.

We definitely have a budget left for the striker. Don't know how big it is, but let's not forget that we can earn around 30M from Bacca and MDS' sales.

Posted by: Danny Jul 15 2017, 11:57 AM

Because this one is all about HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!!!!

Posted by: han2503 Jul 15 2017, 12:47 PM

I think this was mostly just a review of transfers done thread but has turned back to transfer rumour debate.

@ x-off, yeah, we'll definitely try to get 50 to 60m at least for the Bacca + Niang + De Sciglio sales. Atm, I'm estimating we have something along the lines of 40m left in the piggy bank. If we sell those 3 then I'm expecting a big signing in attack and one mid-level in midfield.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 17 2018, 11:53 PM

After 7 months, a quick judgement on the performances of our signings this summer:

Positive:

Calhanouglu - After a rough start, he's the one that's improved the most. A player I would rely on next season as well as starter.
Bonucci - Same as Hakan, managed to pull himself and regain his Juve form.
Kessie - I really like this guy, he has all it takes to become a top player. Experience will only improve him, just needs to keep working hard.
Rodriguez - Let's say that he's delivered as much as I was expecting from him. He's not great, but he's not bad either.

Negative:

Biglia - Wasn't that thrilled by his arrival, but he's showing huge limitations. I honestly think Montolivo can bring more to the table than him, and that says a lot.
Andre Silva - The fact that he isn't played regularly surely doesn't help, but even so he's been a big disappointment thus far, especially considering the hype and money we spent on him.
Kalinic - Terrible signing from the get-go and he's showing that.

Indifferent:

Donnarumma - For obvious reasons.
Musacchio - I wouldn't call his signing negative. I think he's a good defender. He was starting at a very difficult period for the team, but now that we've managed to pull ourselves up he hasn't played at all.
Borini - An all around versatile player but still unnecessary.
Conti - For obvious reasons.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 18 2018, 05:51 PM

Conti will be like a new signing next summer


Anyhoo, I disagree with a couple of your assessments. I'd personally put Rodriguez in the negative and Silva in the positive, I'd also put Borini in the positive (hear me out).

Silva is kicking to life for us at just the right moment, he's proving to be a clutch player right now, he's won us 6 huge points in the space of a week. He's got massive amounts of potential. The big negative with him and Cutrone is that they're both so young and lacking in experience, we really needed to buy that 20+ goal striker last summer, it would have definitely taken off a lot of pressure from them. Kalinic was a panic buy because the other options were out of our price range. I didn't think he'd be THIS bad though. We might as well should have kept Bacca and saved our selves the odd 20m or so we spent on him

As for Borini, I think he's been very important for us in terms of being that Jack of all trades and can fill any holes in the team without much fuss and adequately enough. He's played RB, RWB, LWB, RW and LW this season and it might not have been pretty but all his time on the pitch has been important. So overall a good utility signing for us. Let's hope next season we'll get better players for the bench so we have better quality when the need arises.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 19 2018, 04:13 PM

Seriously? You consider Silva's season thus far as positive because of the last two games? Come on! Who cares about his talent and potential, I'm considering contribution in this season, and thus far and he's been a huge let down. He might as well start scoring in every game now, but right now his season has been anything but positive.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 19 2018, 04:19 PM

Man, it really sucks that we haven't had a real goalscorer since Ibra's departure. No player that has scored more than 20 goals in the league. Heck, has anyone even scored more than 15 since Ibra? Look at Inter, Lazio, Juve, Napoli, Roma. They all have the Icardi, Immobile, Dybala, Mertens or Dzeko of the situation. We have none. And that holds us back A LOT! Imagine if we had one of those players, we'd be far ahead in the standings, trust me.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 19 2018, 08:03 PM

You simply have to take into account the complete lack of game time he's had this season

We're not talking about a striker who was continuously started and then dropped because he couldn't score. Aside from the EL, his minutes mostly came from sub appearances late in games. He's rarely started games in the league

You can't consider him a let down because he's simply haven't had the time to be all that disappointing on the pitch


Balotelli is available for free next summer. Who of you would take him on again? I'd personally consider it if there is no hope of getting a top notch finisher

Posted by: han2503 Mar 19 2018, 08:05 PM

I think our problems have been more deep rooted then simply not having a deadly finisher.

Bacca was close to getting there his first season while he was horrible last season, the problems generally tend to come from the fact that we have a very sterile midfield which doesn't create enough chances for our forwards.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 19 2018, 11:24 PM

I never considered him as such. My opinion relates solely to the time he has been played, and how much he has delivered during those minutes. Be it goals, assists, performance, grit, you name it. He has shown nothing.

Surely, he's young, new league and all that stuff. But for how much he has delivered, he's been nothing but a failure. Hopefully he starts picking his form after these last two games and Gattuso starts playing him more.



I think I would. We can't continue playing with Kalinic and Cutrone.



I never said our problems stem from the lack of a top striker, but a top striker sure as hell would have eased things around.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 20 2018, 09:20 PM

But all the factors you mentioned were always going to be a hurdle for Silva to get past, add to that time to learn the language as well and it was always going to take time. Maybe the problem was that we expected too much from him because of what we paid for him

Kalinic is going to be shipped out this summer, it's inevitable at this point. We defo need someone with serious experience and capable of scoring 20+ goals next season. Cavani, Balotelli, Immobile and Belotti are the only names that spring to mind for me which are realistic for us.


Problem is, unless you have someone like Ibra, who can create stuff for himself, any striker is going to have a bit of a difficult time in this team because we tend to be too sterile and slow on the ball

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 21 2018, 09:50 PM

Don't forget we'll be getting Bacca back as Villareal won't sign him. So we'll have to find a solution for both him and Kalinic.

My goal is Belotti. After this season his price tag will drop significantly. Him, a quality left winger and possibly a top CM and we'd be good. But I don't see us spending a lot in midfield, so we'll have to make do with Biglia for next season as well.

Unless we sell Donnarumma, especially sign we've signed Reina. Honestly, if somebody comes knocking with a +70M offer, I'd sell him on the spot.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 22 2018, 10:13 PM

We'll see, I honestly can't see either Bacca or Kalinic staying. Bacca left on a sour note, and we don't need another poacher in this squad. Kalinic is testing Rino, add to that, the fans never wanted him and it's a bad situation all-round. We'll lose money on both, but in the long run we'll save a lot on wages since both are on pretty big contracts.

Agreed about Belotti. We'll see if Cairo would want to sell him though since he was holding out for a 100m last summer while after this season he can barely command a 25m price tag for him. Still a top quality striker though that I'd love to have on the team. Him , Immobile or Balo are all good with me

As for key signings, I agree, we need a top finisher and a pacey left winger for sure. Honestly, I'd try to go for a cut price on Duelofeu for the wing and someone like Verdi maybe. We wouldn't need to brake the bank for either (plus Verdi is home grown so an even bigger plus). We need speed upfront and both provide that. For the midfield we've been linked with Wilshere, he's a free agent this summer, I'd take him. Maybe he can replace Bona on that left side. He's been absolutely anonymous this season bar those few goals. We should also look into Barella from Cagliari, this kid reminds me so much of Verratti, just go in with a good offer and Cagliari will take it. We absolutely cannot miss out on him because you know Juve will sign him.

I also think we need to think about replacing Rodriguez tbh but it wouldn't be a top priority. So basically that's 2 mids (one for free if Wilshere were to come), 2 wingers (Deu and Verdi would probably cost a combined 30m) and a top striker and I think we'd be set to challenge for next season.

All this could be done with less than a 100m


And agreed about Donna. At this point, him and his agent are more hassle than they're worth. If a good offer comes in we should sell him ASAP. Too bad we already signed Reina, I'd have gone for Perin to replace Donna. He might not have as high a ceiling as Donna but as of right now, he's the better keeper imo

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 26 2018, 09:27 PM

You think Deulofeu and Verdi will be enough? I think we need two big names in attack, two players who can elevate us to another level. Belotti is one, but for the that left wing I'm thinking more someone of the level of Reus, i.e. an established top player. Verdi and Deulofeu I think would take us nowhere.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 27 2018, 08:44 PM

They'd give us a weapon we lack in our attack, speed. It's something we desperately need. Had we had that extra step of pace in our attack we'd have scored a lot more goals this season.

Also Belotti is coming off a bad season, atm I'd be a bit on the fence about him, especially if Cairo still wants the ridiculous 80m he was asking for last summer. After this season, wouldn't pay more than 30m for him


Honestly, I'd take Immobile over him atm.

I was thinking more along the lines of Deulofeu and Verdi because I'd much rather spend the big money on a top striker and a Bonaventura replacement in the midfield tbh.


Reus I don't think is a possibility for us, plus, doesn't he spend nearly 2/3 of any season out injured?

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 29 2018, 08:25 PM

Yeah, but those names you mentioned won't bring us anywhere.

We're being linked with Depay: http://www.calciomercato.com/news/depay-apre-il-milan-non-puo-stringere-48884

It says we have to wait UEFA and what position we'll finish in the league to see whether we can afford a 40-50 million investment like him.

Now that's somebody I would gladly welcome with open arms.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 30 2018, 01:51 PM

40 to 50m for Depay??

No way, he's not worth that. He's too inconsistent, not to mention his failed stint at United which makes me question whether he can be effective in a difficult league

I actually disagree about them not taking us anywhere, maybe we won't be competing for the title but it puts us in a good spot for top 4 if we can get a top striker and a top CM. An outlet like Deulofeu in attack if we have all the other parts of cog working well would be the perfect complement. We can go for a flashy name at LW the summer after that. But I'd rather have a solid spine before we go for a more flashy winger that would negate us signing a Bona replacement or a 20+ goal striker

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Apr 1 2018, 10:53 AM

I think we have to be smart next summer. In some sense we should replicate the last summer only with better pickings.

1) We have to decide whether we are gonna continue with Rino or appoint a new coach. If Conte is willing I'd pick him ahead of anyone. If not, and perhaps Carletto as well ends with Italy I'd go with Gattuso for another season because I don't see anyone else available who could actually improve us.

2) We need good backups. Yesterday we partially lost because we had poor sub choices in young kids and washed out players like Monto or Kalinić. Now we have to work our way up with signing true reinforcements.

3) True reinforcements meaning: 1 world class striker or winger and a first team creative player. I would sell one of Zapata/Musacchio and sign a proper leftback because it's obvious that Rodriguez is too slow, too poor in marking and very clumsy overall [perhaps Conti can do the left and Calabria stay on the right?]. Then we need a quality dynamic midfielder who can take Bonaventura's or Kessie's spot. We've been mentioning Fabregas, I'd be in. Several other options will pop up for sure. And then there's the attacking problem: if we can sign Belotti, I'd be in. Cavani would be even better. But IMO if we could pick a top winger or a top striker I'd go for the winger, and leave Bacca. In all honesty we created this whole attack problem by shipping off Bacca and signing a player who's obviously much worse then him.

Posted by: X-Offender Apr 1 2018, 12:17 PM

You do realize that Kessie is one of the pillars we have to build on. Why would you want to replace him?

Posted by: han2503 Apr 1 2018, 12:54 PM

We definitely have to be smart, the budget won't be nearly as big as it was last summer.

1) I think Rino is done for next season, they're renewing his contract. And at this point I think he's the best choice, Conte will want big signings and I don't think we can accommodate him just yet and I don't think Carlo is going to come back (Just a feeling, I don't know why)

2) Agreed about the back up, we have no one on the bench who can come on and make a difference, and if one of our starters is injured the quality drops down big time.

3) Musacchio is a definite keep for me. Zapata is finished. I'd rather have Musacchio and Gomez being the backups (although I have a feeling Gomez will be used as a swap with a S. American club if we want one of their players). Kessie atm is untouchable. He started the season shakily but he's shown how important he can be ever since Rino took over he's been a dominant force in our midfield. He shut out Radja, Milinkovic-Savic and the Juve midfield yesterday for the majority of the game. He's someone we can build on. I think a Bona replacement is much more critical at this point, he's been shockingly bad this season and the only reason people aren't getting on his back more is because he's been so important for us in previous season so people are giving him a pass. But fact is, he should be replaced ASAP. He kills our attacking game with his over-dribbling and constant shooting. Cesc is an option, so is Wilshere, maybe Gomes as Barca could also be available, and I'd also look at Kovacic who barely gets a look in at Real. Cavani could be a far more cost-effective solution for us, and after this season there's a bit of a question mark over Belotti for me. And really? Bacca is not the solution, he won't stay with us next season either. He's a moaning complainer who needs chances handed to him on a silver platter. Cutrone did what he couldn't do last season in this one. He'll most likely stay at Villareal but they'll want to renegotiate the 18m option as they're not going to be paying that much for him. As for Rodriguez, he was a decently sized investment, I don't think we'll change him until the summer after the coming one. And even though I think we need better, for now I feel we have more pressing areas that need attention.

Posted by: X-Offender Apr 1 2018, 04:02 PM

True, Bona has been really bad. In the past he was a very dependable player, but this season he's doing more harm than good.