[Forza Milan!]

New offer for Niang (link). Not sure who is more crazy, Spartak for throwing this kind of money at a mediocre player, or Niang for holding out for Toro (who will pay him a lot less).

[Forza Milan!]

There may be nothing to the Marchisio story (link)

[X-Offender]

New offer for Niang (link). Not sure who is more crazy, Spartak for throwing this kind of money at a mediocre player, or Niang for holding out for Toro (who will pay him a lot less).

Well, personally I'd rather play in the Serie A for Torino than in the Russian league. So I can understand his reluctance.

That being said, that's a lot of money for both Milan and Niang.

[X-Offender]

With EL games on a Thursday you need rotation.

There are two kind of rotations. One is to rest your important players before an important game. The other one that's being insinuated here is rotation between equally important players on a constant basis. That's a big no-no.

What's the point of having both Jack and Hakan if you can only play one? Even worse if you add Keita into the mix. It's important that we find the definite formation and line-up and we stick to that, otherwise we'll never achieve continuity if we keep rotating players in every game.

[amancik]

I agree with X that we should have a core 11. Resting fatigued players is okay. But constant rotation is a no no for me. It disrupts the momentum too much.

[Fillipo Simone]

I don't get your argument X. By reflecting to the Ancelotti years you basically acknowledged what Han said, because even back then we had a core of 6-7 players and the rest rotated. Nesta, Maldini, Pirlo, Rino, Zee, Kaka and Sheva were the standard players. Pippo was in and out due to injury, so were players like Janku, Serginho, Cafu, Stam, Ambro, etc.

All in all, rotation is necessary. We have players who've become quite injury prone like Monto or now Bona. We also play on three different fronts for the first time in 3 years. So what we need now is depth and differentiated tactical options.

As for Marchisio, he might be past his prime, but in pre-season games he mostly looked very good. Sure, he's also injury prone but if he's really up to leaving, he'd still be a massive upgrade in midfield.

[X-Offender]

I don't get your argument X. By reflecting to the Ancelotti years you basically acknowledged what Han said, because even back then we had a core of 6-7 players and the rest rotated. Nesta, Maldini, Pirlo, Rino, Zee, Kaka and Sheva were the standard players. Pippo was in and out due to injury, so were players like Janku, Serginho, Cafu, Stam, Ambro, etc.

All in all, rotation is necessary. We have players who've become quite injury prone like Monto or now Bona. We also play on three different fronts for the first time in 3 years. So what we need now is depth and differentiated tactical options.

As for Marchisio, he might be past his prime, but in pre-season games he mostly looked very good. Sure, he's also injury prone but if he's really up to leaving, he'd still be a massive upgrade in midfield.

My point was that we always played the best team whenever possible. We didn't rotate, say, Tomasson and Inzaghi or Kakà and Rui Costa. Rather, we played Rui Costa and Tomasson when the other two needed rest or were injured. That's the kind of rotation that big teams apply.

[X-Offender]

Paletta is close to joining Lazio. [CM.com]

[Jack Sparrow]

My point was that we always played the best team whenever possible. We didn't rotate, say, Tomasson and Inzaghi or Kakà and Rui Costa. Rather, we played Rui Costa and Tomasson when the other two needed rest or were injured. That's the kind of rotation that big teams apply.

Well, I think that's changed these days. It's a far more energetic approach in the past few years than it was during the last decade. Heaving pressing, more energy etc etc.

Just take Madrid for example. Barring Kroos, Modric and Marcelo, they do tend to get quite fluid with their tactics and personnel. Isco starts, sometimes its Bale. Casemiro is now becoming a regular. Etc Etc.

[Fillipo Simone]

My point was that we always played the best team whenever possible. We didn't rotate, say, Tomasson and Inzaghi or Kakà and Rui Costa. Rather, we played Rui Costa and Tomasson when the other two needed rest or were injured. That's the kind of rotation that big teams apply.

But those times are gone for a multitude of reasons. The football of today is much more exhausting for one, with more runs and tempo.

Secondly, the thing is, this is our first season after 4 years that starts with some real ambitions and a project. Back in the Ancelotti days Milan was in a continuous loop: first the generation of Baresi, Tassoti and Ancelotti handed the reins to Maldini, Costacurta and Albertini while still in play. Then came in the Carletto team where you still had backbone players like Costacurta, Albertini or Maldini playing or sitting on the bench, thus providing the necessary continuity. It was much easier to insert one of two Pancaro's or Tomasson's.

With this Milan we're basically starting from scratch with a few talents and lucky hits from the past.

[X-Offender]

That doesn't mean that we should rotate players on a constant basis. We need to establish a solid starting eleven and build our game around that.

Jack mentioned Madrid as an example, but in actuality if every player is fit Zidane will always play with Navas, Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo, Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Isco, Ronaldo and Benzema.

The only reason these players don't always start is when there are injuries or someone needs to rest. And this is what I'm saying. We need to apply the same logic, find our best line-up and stick to that. Rest players every now and then.

[X-Offender]

Kalinic is at Casa Milan to sign his new contract with us. He will take the #7 jersey.

[Danny]

Kalinic is at Casa Milan to sign his new contract with us. He will take the #7 jersey.

With the emergence of Cutrone this signing is horrifying me a bit less than it was.

[X-Offender]

His scoring record is not the greatest. He's never scored +20 goals in the league only in his entire career.

[X-Offender]

Fassone said that with Kalinic our squad is complete. Supposing Paletta, Gomez, Sosa and Niang will be sold, here's what it looks like for now:

GKs
G. Donnarumma
A. Donnarumma
Storari

Defenders
Bonucci
Musacchio
Romagnoli
Zapata
Conti
Abate
Calabria
Rodriguez
Antonelli

Midfielders
Biglia
Montolivo
Locatelli
Kessie
Mauri
Calhanoglu
Bonaventura
Suso

Forwards
André Silva
Kalinic
Cutrone
Borini

That's 24 players. I think Calabria, Locatelli and Mauri need to be loaned out, and we need to bring in a vice-Kessie (Krychowiak?) and another winger. Then we'd be settled for good.