Man, 100% agree on that.

Re: VDV - Pirlo is the regista. How many attacking players do we need? The biggest criticism of this squad right now is the lack of guys who track back... I'm not sure how much we could play VDV or how much he would even help. We have plenty of depth ion midfield if not too much quality. Honestly, when and where could we play him? You can't pay that kind of price for him to backup Pirlo and you certainly can't play him next to Pirlo. So you play him instead of Ronnie? We already have a pretty decent option there in Seedorf, and Flamini and Gattuso need playing time too.

If I could have changed anything in the midfield I might have switched out Rino for a young defensive holding mid. Another KPB style player, though one who was cheaper and doesn't rate as high. I think we're going to see a lot of hour mark/late game subs where one of the four top attackers (Ibra/Ronnie/Robbie/Pato) comes out for KPB to sit on a lead. It would be nice to have a little more depth in that area.



So, in conclusion, while I do appreciate van der Vaart's game, I can't see a fit for him on this team. He's basically a really expensive slight upgrade to an are where we have good depth. While I guess you can play VDV on the left wing some, too... the bottom line is his best positions are already taken by superior options. Hard to see him as the kind of need that would justify that price.

Agreed. The moment we signed Boateng and Robinho, the signing of VDV became unnecessary.

I think we have a really good midfield. It's 6 guys fighting for 3 spots. Personally, I would prefer Pirlo, Ambro and Boateng as starters with Seedorf, Flamini and Gattuso as backup. The playing of Boateng instead of Seedorf would give the team more balance and dynamism, without losing much quality.

I'm not sure why a 27 year old player, that traditionally is in his prime, is a free agent?

Because he's a terrible player?

I'm not sure why a 27 year old player, that traditionally is in his prime, is a free agent?

Poli here. VDV and Ibra would've clashed big time, and if Berlu is choosing who we get, it would be Ibra over VDV.

Jankulovski: "Next June I return home"

Link

That's what he said last season also...

SKY-HIGH ENTHUSIASM
9/9/2010 4:05:00 PM

The presentation of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho took place at the Hotel Boscolo in Milano this afternoon. The players were accompanied by CEO Adriano Galliani.

MILANO – The first quotes from Milan CEO Adriano Galliani, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho at today’s press conference held at the Hotel Boscolo in Milan:

ADRIANO GALLIANI:
"Good afternoon! We have come together today for the presentation of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho, the latest players who arrived in the Rossoneri family.
Their arrivals gave enthusiasm to our fans, even though they haven’t played yet. We closed these two deals on the last days of the transfer market. The negotiations for Ibra began on August 25, on the occasion of the Gamper Trophy, and came to an end Saturday evening, while we managed to close the deal for Robinho in the last two days.
At that point the split between our president and the fans, caused by Kaká’s departure, healed. Thanks to Ibra and Binho, there’s a great atmosphere around the club, demonstrated also by the countless letters we’ve received at the club headquarters and by the more than 45.000 season tickets sold. The absolute sales record dates back to 2003 with a total of 52.500 season tickets. We won the Champions League that year.
These two players come from countries which have played important roles in Milan’s history. I wish Ibra as much success as Nordahl had, appearing in 268 matches and scoring 221 goals. As for Robinho, I would like him to continue the Brazilans’ tradition at Milan. He’s the 18th we’ve had at the club. Milan won the first Champions League of its history in 1963 with a brace from Altafini, a Brazlian striker, so I can’t but wish Robinho to score three in the Champions League final as soon as possible.”

The Rossonero CEO then responded to some questions regarding the negotiations for Ibrahimovic and Robinho: "The transfer market is a strange thing, I can’t reveal everything. We weren’t very active in the first phase of the transfer window, but did very well at the end of it. When Villa arrived at Barcelona, I thought about Ibra, just like when Balotelli joined Manchester City, Robinho came to my mind. It’s important to know what other clubs do and then make your moves accordingly. We have rejected some great offers made for our stars. Huntelaar left because of Ibrahimovic, Borriello had to leave because of Robinho. It was not easy to let them go, but we thought we would be better off with Ibra and Robinho. I talked to President Berlusconi, who authorised me to sign Robinho even though it wasn’t sure that we'd be able to sell Borriello. In the end, we managed to make all the transactions we wanted and I could finally forget the summer of 2009."

Adriano Galliani talked about the Financial Fair Play: "I read the interview with Platini and I can say I absolutely agree with him. We had our reasons for which we made these acquisitions. I want to thank Ariedo Braida and Milan lawyer Mr Cantamessa for their help. Milan’s financial situation will not be negatively affected by the arrivals of Ibrahimovic and Robinho: we signed two players, but sold two as well, and then we can’t forget about the effect these transfers will have on the club’s income. Obviously they are players who cost a lot, but at the same time there will be a rise our income, thanks to them. Just by looking at the number of season tickets sold, one can see that these acquisitions were beneficial for Milan."

Adriano Galliani was asked about Mario Balotelli, too: "Balotelli is childhood Milan fan. I sent him a text this morning to wish him good luck for his surgery."

"President Berlusconi told me that we would only make financial sacrifices for exceptional players. Ibrahimovic and Robinho certainly fit the bill” – concluded the Rossonero CEO.

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC:
"The recepetion here was fantastic. One can feel that this is a great club, as everything is very well-organised. It’s true that the Barcelona supporters were great, but the Rossoneri fans are absolutely fantastic. I was close to joining Milan four years ago, but then nothing came out of it. This time, however, everything went well. The Milan shirt is the most beautiful that I’ve ever put on.

A team like Milan have to win every year. I’m hungry for even more victories in Italy. Hopefully we’ll win everything this season. Robinho’s arrival demonstrates that the club is commited to make great investments. Everyone has to fear us. Playing together? If Pato, Ronaldinho, Robinho and I, and also Inzaghi who I consider a phenomenon, play together, the team won’t have to think too much about defending, as we can solve every problems with this attacking line.

I talked to President Berlusconi, he wanted me here. Then, Mr Galliani worked very well to bring me to Milan. He came to Barcelona and told me that he wouldn’t return to Italy without me. I felt that they really wanted me, so I couldn’t say no to Milan.

I think Milan is stronger than Inter, also because of Robinho’s arrival. Even before we arrived, Milan had had a great team with experienced players, but now we are favourites to win the championship and the Champions League.
The game against Inter? It will be exciting. I won some titles with them, but now I’m here and I want to do even better. I’m sure our fans will have fun this season. When I sign for a club I always feel it will be my last club, but then during the season some things can happen that make you change your mind. I signed with Milan for four years and I hope to stay for as long as possible.
We’ll play a fantastic derby against Inter. There will be a fierce rivalry between us and the Nerazzurri for the league title, but I’m sure that in the end we’ll win it. I’ll do my best for Milan in order to win wearing this shirt.

The first contact? What President Berlusconi told me, I’ll keep to myself. We talked about Milan’s interest with Raiola, he told me he had considered this solution. Then, the real negotiations started after the Gamper Trophy.

Have I talked to someone from Inter? Yes, but about other issues. It’s a personal thing. I talked to Moratti a few weeks ago, but nothing important was said.”

ROBINHO:
"The only concrete offer I received during my time at Manchester City was that of Milan. As for the other clubs, there were just inquiries. Milan is a great club, recognised on the European scene and has a lot of Brazilian players, therefore it was an easy decision to come here.
Regardless of the line-up our coach will field, we’ll do well. The most important thing is winning, it doesn’t matter who plays or who scores.”

Robinho then commented his stay at Manchester City: "I’ve never had problems with Mancini, probably my style doesn’t fit the English game. I’m happy to be here and I hope I’ll be able to show my worth wearing the Milan shirt in Europe” – continued the Brazilian. "Pato and Dinho? They are extraordinary players, hopefully we’ll be successful together here at Milan and maybe in the national team as well”.