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Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 10 2015, 10:15 PM

New transfer thread here. Hopefully a different summer for us.

Posted by: Danny Feb 11 2015, 12:14 AM

Baselli will be the first arrival in June. That was sealed today I believe.

Posted by: William405 Feb 11 2015, 09:30 AM

Yep, seems like he's very excited to join us. No idea why..

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 11 2015, 10:59 AM

So, I'm usually detesting those "get rid of..." lists, but now I'm interested. Do you guys think we need a complete overhaul? Who would you let go or sell coming next season?

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Feb 11 2015, 12:48 PM

I'd get rid of:

INZAGHI
Abbiati
Mexes
Zapata
Zaccardo
Albertazzi
Armero
Muntari
Honda and
Pazzini

And I'd try to build the team around:
A coach like Spalleti
Diego Lopez
Abate
Alex
De Sciglio
De Jong (if he extends his contract with us)
Bonaventura
Van Ginkel (if by some miracle we sign him permanently)
Mastour
Destro
Menez and/or El Shaarawy (I still think that with the proper coaching he can become world class player).

And then there are players that I'd be pleased to have as backups, such as:
Gabriel/Agazzi
Rami/Zabaletta/Bochetti
Antonelli
Montolivo/Poli/Suso
Cerci/Niang.

But probably we're going to stick with the players that I would like to get rid of, sell/let go two or three players from those that we should be builinding our team around of to balance the finances and use the players from the third list as first team players. Which means that we're going to contuniue sucking bad until we find somehow players like Nesta, Maldini, Pirlo, Seedorf, Kaka and Sheva. But I don't see that happening, actually I don't think players like them exist anymore.

Posted by: Danny Feb 11 2015, 02:10 PM

Agree with a lot of that post. Not all, but a lot.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 11 2015, 03:20 PM

Let's see... We currently have 31 players in our roster. Next season this number shouldn't exceed 25. Given our current players and requirements, this is how I'd go about it:

OUT
Muntari
Mexes
Honda
Albertazzi
Essien
Bocchetti
Van Ginkel
Bonera
Armero
Zaccardo

That leaves us with 21 players. We desperately need one quality CB to couple with Alex and one playmaker CM. Depending on what formation we play, our priorities might change, but I'd like to see something like this:

SUBS
Abbiati
Agazzi
Zapata
Paletta
Rami
Antonelli
Poli
Montolivo
Bonaventura
El Shaarawy
Mastour
Pazzini

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 11 2015, 10:01 PM

Hmh, I must say, I disagree with many things. Let's see:

1) Abate and de Jong. It's still questionable is the two will sign for us or go away for free. Abate is especially important, since he's a Primavera player.

2) Players who are too good to sit on the bench/probably wouldn't agree with the bench position but are somehow inadequate or not good enough for our first XI.

3) Players who are either sub-par or simply too old/useless.

All in all this would mean parting was with:

Agazzi (we need a younger 3rd string keeper)
Mexès
Rami
Zapata
Zaccardo
Essien
Muntari
van Ginkel (obviously)
Armero

Also questionable would be Pazzini, SES, Monto, Bonera and Cerci. For different reasons.

I'd keep Bonera as a versatile backup option which would be cheap and better then all other alternations (just think of the various backups we had in recent years, all the Mesbahs and Constants).

Pazzini will be out of contract and will most probably leave. If he takes a wage-cut and accepts a backup role, I'd let him stay (I think he's finally coming back to a routine).

SES should really get another chance with a more seasoned coach. Experience could guide him through this rough period. But if he fails to gradually become what is expected out of him, I'd rather sell him sooner then later.

Montolivo is a big question for me. He's not getting any younger and I seriously doubt his contribution to our gameplan is that important. But, I'd still give him the benefit of a doubt and one more season. Then we should decide.

Cerci showed so far very little to nothing. He seems out of shape and not really into being at a club like Milan. I suppose he's the ideal Parma/Bologna/Torino type of player, kind of Beppe Signori or Enrico Chiesa.

Next question: has anyone a list of the top players who'll be out of contract this summer? I think this should be a start for us.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Feb 12 2015, 06:02 AM

Don't think we have any business referring to potential incoming players as top class. Top class players want CL football, want to win trophies and want heavy salary outlays.

For the second year running we are a midtable team. The club's history and name no-longer attracts top players.

That said, think our team is descent enough to challenge for an EL birth. The coach needs time and he should be given that time.

As for the summer transfer window; nothing exciting is going to happen. Just a bunch of nobodies leaving and a bunch of nobodies incoming.

Posted by: Danny Feb 12 2015, 10:51 AM

Nice troll.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 12 2015, 12:41 PM

Surely, I meant top players out of the players who's contract is running out. Per se those players ain't top class. I meant players like Menez and Alex, nice additions.


So nothing has to change or what? How do you think we got to this situation?

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 12 2015, 12:41 PM

Oh come on, let's talk normal.

Posted by: Danny Feb 12 2015, 04:03 PM

I was. Anyone Milan fan who thinks Pippo needs and should be given time is clearly trolling given apparently 8 months wasn't enough already.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 12 2015, 04:17 PM

But I think R7 was referring to the next season. For the new coach, no?

Anyhow, different opinions is what makes a forum interesting. We should respect and encourage such posting, because otherwise this forum will (already has to an extent) turn into a numb and grey place with dominant opinions.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 12 2015, 04:22 PM

Agreed. If there was some indication that Pippo has a clue or that he is learning from his mistakes, I would be inclined to give him more time. But I have not seen that. We need a real coach, we really do.

So EL is the best we should hope for now. Really?

Posted by: Danny Feb 12 2015, 04:56 PM

Nope, he was referring to Pippo. Present tense.



Then my opinion his comment was a troll is my 'different' opinion surely I am equally entitled to castigate his opinion as he is to express it?

Posted by: Danny Feb 12 2015, 04:56 PM

We've not a hope in hell of an UEL spot.

Next season will be one without Europe. Again.

Well, it will if we retain Pippo.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Feb 12 2015, 09:50 PM

I know which players you meant. It just pains me to think of how low we are, that once we used to lure Robaldinho or Van Basten.

Change? I think we have had enough changes. Stability and time is what we need. Shuffling coaches and players every 6 months isn't the answer. I truely believe we need to give Inzaghi, his ideas and his team time and continuity.

Like now Milan are to consider selling DS, not to raise funds to buy better players. But to fill the hole left by no European football (be that el or cl).

And next season if we do not get Europe, it will be even more difficult. With the scarce wuality on our roaster shedding even thinner.

Not the popularist of opinions, but its an origional opinion. My opinion.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 12 2015, 10:02 PM

DS isn't worth sh*t right now.

Posted by: Danny Feb 12 2015, 10:04 PM

Antonelli is 100% better than him right now. We're far better served with Luca starting in that slot for the indefinite future.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 12 2015, 10:20 PM

Can't see how you'd make up your mind on that one after just one game tbh...

He did relatively well vs Juve but this is a guy who played one game for us before we shipped him off and could barely cut it at Genoa. Let's not count our chicken before they hatch

As for the players in general, I'm personally hesitant to say that we need an overhaul at this point. How many times are we going to turn this entire squad over and replace average players with even more average ones?

The winter mercato was a clear example of this. We've loaded down our squad with even more average players. The signings in defence are clear examples of this, Bocchetti and Paletta perfectly epitomise what is wrong with this management's strategy.

We spend months trying to get Zaccardo off the books, fail at it so why not sign 3 other players who are round abouts the same level? Let's also renew Bonera's contract while we're at it.

But in the mean time, let's let Abate's and De Jong's contracts run down, because hey, as long as we have Muntari and "can do it all" Bonera, who needs those 2?

There are some obvious names that should definitely be let go this summer, but for me. I'd rather see those name go and sign one or 2 good players (not even going to mention great or top class in this discussion, we couldn't afford that category of players a long time ago) and remove some of the real dead weight in the team. We don't need to make a lot of signings. We have a relatively decent squad for Serie A standards.

One really good CM being top priority and a CB being second priority and we should be done. I'm more concerned at the sheer number of bodies we have in the squad that don't contribute much, if at all. That do nothing but weigh down out wage bill.

Having said all this, the biggest priority on our management's to-do list should be to get in a proper coach, before signing or selling anyone, this is something that has to finally be addressed. We haven't had a proper coach since Carlo and we cannot move forward like this, because no matter who we sign, we will fail anyway if we don't have the right man for the coaching job

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 12 2015, 11:42 PM

Amen.

Posted by: Danny Feb 12 2015, 11:51 PM

I just did.



Unlike anyone else.

Case closed.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 13 2015, 09:48 AM

Can't wait until he has that one bad game and you suddenly turn on him...

His debut was encouraging, but nothing more than that. He's a very average player, just like the majority of our squad.

Posted by: Danny Feb 13 2015, 12:04 PM

You actively want a Milan player to have a poor match in order to 'prove a point'?



Encouraging debut - showed what he was capable of in a preview. Ergo he's a better option right now than the trash that is MDS these days.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 13 2015, 05:43 PM

Nope, just can't wait until you have a fit about him, because I'm expecting it, this isn't about the player, but how you swing from one positive opinion about a player to the other complete opposite end of the spectrum. Can't he just be someone decent who we can use when our first choice isn't available?

I'd still take DS over him anyway, one decent game does not change who Antonelli is, just like one decent game for Zaccardo doesn't mean I suddenly want him to be the starter

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 13 2015, 08:44 PM

Let's go back to what I wrote previously. We have 31 players, currently. Serie A from next season does not allow a roster that exceeds 25 players. In this context, I think we should have:

3 GKs
4-5 CBs
3 FBs (one of which can play both sides, i.e. MDS)
5-6 DMs/CMs
4-5 AMs/wingers
2 CFs

That's 22-24 players. We have to get rid of a lot of dead weight this summer, and that's going to be a challenge considering our excess baggage in addition to the various loan spells we have circulating here and there.

In terms of goalies I think we're fit.

In terms of CBs, the only one I would keep without a doubt is Alex (and the guy will be 33). Everyone else is a question mark.

In terms of mids, we have to do everything in our power to keep De Jong. The guy is crucial for us. You can't find someone as good as him for his role nowadays without spending +15 million. The others that need to be confirmed are Poli and Bonaventura. Montolivo I don't give two sh*ts about, but he's the team captain and I can't see us parting ways at this point. If he accepts a substitute role I wouldn't mind. MVG will return to Chelsea so let's forget about him. The others (Essien, Muntari, even Honda) I don't want them near this team.

In terms of AMs/wingers, Menez, Suso, Cerci, El Shaaraway and Mastour are good enough. You can throw Bona in there as well since he's a jolly and can play anywhere.

Destro and someone else for sub CF.

What we truly need are a top quality CB and especially a top quality CM. I would die for Witsel, he'd be beyond perfect. We need to loosen our string a bit this summer and make these signings, otherwise we're looking at another mediocre season.

Oh, and obviously we need a capable coach. That's out of the question.

Posted by: Danny Feb 14 2015, 02:45 AM

Our first choice is currently horrendous. Antonelli impressed me v Juve, in the way Bocchetti did not v Parma.

Two deputies, both given a chance - and one did far better than the other, while the senior first choice is wildly out of form. Remember I whined about Armero being given a chance in the face of MDS being so poor? Well he too turned out awful, but I stand entirely by my desire to see someone else (whoever that was) given a chance. Just so happens we now have Antonelli who's managed to impress us all to a degree (more than MDS has this season) on his sole appearance so given the start, why change it?

If Antonelli has a shocker v Empoli, which I doubt, then we really are in the crapper because then all of Bocchetti, Armero, and Antonelli will be in poor form while MDS is miles away from being fit.



Difference with Zac is Abate is an all-round better RB who's rarely out of form. MDS is rarely in form.

Posted by: Danny Feb 14 2015, 02:47 AM

3 FBs X? Right now if we went by that, Abate and MDS aren't available, leaving only one FB.

You need at least four, always.

IMO you always need two in every position plus a few extra in general for emergencies. That would make up the 25.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 14 2015, 12:27 PM

Looks like Milan may be sold (http://www.football-italia.net/62621/thai-group-pays-%E2%82%AC1bn-milan).

A couple of years ago I would have been concerned, as you never know what will happen with the new owners. However, at this point I am ready for a change. Anything has to be better than where we seem to be headed.

Edit: http://www.football-italia.net/62625/berlusconi-no-milan-sale

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 14 2015, 06:29 PM

We agree mostly. But Danny has a point, 3 FBs has absolutely no sense. Maybe if the 5th CB is Bonera, who can cover both flanks. But we definitively need 4 FBs. I'd also like if Milan would drop the winger system and build on our previous tactical formations. None of the mentioned players is truly a good winger bar Cerci maybe.

We'll be keeping Honda for the sake of our Asian business.


My God are you fast too judge. One game means nothing. As Han said, there's probably a reason why Antonelli got shipped off years earlier while Milan didn't have a solid LB as well (ever since Maldini/Serginho).

As for MDS, he's very young. He needs time and patience to become a good performer. Look at Abate; most of us criticized him for years, but he turned out into one of our best performers: how? By sheer determination and playing time. We have one of the best fullbacks in history with Tasso, I'm positive he'll do his thing and help MDS develop. We've gotta give MDS more time and space.

And it's not like there's a line of good LB's waiting. Look at the broader situation. Most clubs hold on to routine's and veterans, and only rare teams have someone fresh, young and already great. And we really don't need another Mesbah, Constant or Armero.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 14 2015, 08:12 PM

I'd like to think of the 4 FB as someone from the CBs who can cover that position in cases of emergencies, like Rami or Bonera.

Posted by: Danny Feb 14 2015, 09:14 PM

Yes I am.



Give me an example of a really bad debut which got turned around the player ended up great.

While you're at it, give me an example of a brilliant debut but the player ended up a shambles.



Guess we're glad guys like Tomasson, KJH, and Gourcuff weren't given a chance here either then.



Only the short-sighted ones. I never did.



Because he always was. He just matured and eventually fans learned of his value.



I didn't say we shouldn't? I just said, pound for pound, right now Antonelli is our best option at LB and worth giving a chance to.

Where you saw 'let's give up on MDS completely' I'm less sure.



No, but we do need a performer right now in as many slots as possible. Fact is MDS, injury notwithstanding, isn't in form and hasn't been for a long long time. You can't just keep selecting a player when his poor form will cost you goals.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 14 2015, 10:59 PM

Yoann Gourcuff

Posted by: han2503 Feb 14 2015, 11:02 PM

Totally agree with this x-off

Abate, also being another crucial name that we must confirm next season, but it seems like the management is in no rush to renew either his or De Jong's contracts

Posted by: han2503 Feb 14 2015, 11:06 PM

Like I said, Antonelli was encouraging, but he also made a mistake on the first goal from Tevez imo. The guy is, as far as I can see, a good back up, better than Armero. But no, I still don't want to see him start ahead of DS if DS is fit.

One game against Juve does not a good player make. He could easily step out tomorrow and have a nightmare showing, we've seen this happen too many times to count now.

Same goes for Bocchetti tbh, one game, playing at LB, for me does not show whether he's good to be a back up or not. It's simply not enough to judge. I need to at least watch him a couple more time at CB before I completely throw him to the sharks and say the guy is cr@p

Posted by: Danny Feb 15 2015, 01:21 AM

He didn't end up a shambles. He ended up totally underused. And wasted. And then sold.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 15 2015, 01:23 AM

Ricardo Oliveira?

Posted by: Danny Feb 15 2015, 11:15 AM

Great for the first 30 minutes of his debut, then shite by the mid-second half.

But he is the closest to an example of such a situation I can think of. I remember it well - it was at San Siro v Lazio, and we'd just sold Sheva. And Oli looked great for that first half, but then ran out of steam second half and was a dismal failure every match afterwords.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 15 2015, 11:54 AM

Nelson Dida.


Thomas Locatelli debuted in a Coppa game with a good performance and a goal on top of it. Thomas who? Andre Cruz had a good season start with us. Ibrahim Ba in his first couple of games. Jens Lehman, starting with a great debut and then gradually making one (big) mistake after another in the coming few matches. Gianni Comandini scoring a goal and making a good figure in his debut against Dinamo Zagreb. I can go on and on...

Oliveira is also a good example, don't play that partially good card. He had a very good debut, scoring and making himself present. Did Antonelli play all 90 minutes on the same dynamic and overall good level? I don't think so.



What does this have to do with anything? Tomasson played in the era of Shevchenko, Inzaghi, Kaka, Crespo...naturally it was hard for him to get any playing time. Gourcuff wasn't mentally right with Milan and Ancelotti noticed this early on. Huntelaar? Don't get me even started...mispositioned, misused, also kind of a small club striker.

But I didn't say all players that Milan shipped off were bad. I only said that it sure means something if the left side is a problem for years and you never once consider actually bringing back the guy you own.


Well good for you. Because Abate was really bad in his first days here.


Completely disagree.


With this I agree


What I'm saying is, one game is simply put not enough to mark Antonelli as "best" or "in form" or anything.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 15 2015, 01:28 PM

A few years ago I would have agreed, but having watched his career unfold, I'm going to have to disagree, the guy was/is weak and having the players we did back then he would have needed a strong character to break through, Kaka had that, and pushed Rui Costa out of the side and into a permanent position of warming the bench

Posted by: nuh Feb 15 2015, 02:18 PM

He didn't even start that game...he came off the bench to score

Posted by: Danny Feb 15 2015, 03:11 PM

Was I thinking of the second match...yes, you're right. Amazing how a decade can alter a memory.

Posted by: Danny Feb 15 2015, 03:12 PM

I'll do what is best and suggest we run with this part

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 19 2015, 11:01 PM

According to De Telegraaf, De Jong has already told the club he won't renew his contract and will leave at the end of the season, probably to ManU.

What a huge loss it will be...

Posted by: Danny Feb 20 2015, 12:16 AM

Thoroughly expected and I'm only stunned we kept him this long.

He goes with my best wishes.

He's been our best overall player for two+ years now, and he deserves to be in the UCL. That said, Man Utd are no great shakes either but they're better than us. I wouldn't be shocked though if he goes to a UCL team. By then, that might admittedly be Utd.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 20 2015, 01:35 PM

We 39 players in total under contract (including loans). According to Tuttosport, the following players will surely not be part of the team next season:

Essien
Van Ginkel
De Jong
Albertazzi
Muntari
Mexes
Zaccardo
Zapata
Pazzini
Robinho
Nocerino
Birsa

Bonera, Rami, Matri, Saponara, El Shaarawy, Niang, Suso, Petagna and Niang are still uncertain.

Posted by: Danny Feb 20 2015, 03:32 PM

Only two players of this entire group I'd certainly keep are Zapata and Niang (and Niang 2 ). Suso is being mistreated as bad as MvG was (still like to see him given a chance himself but he's not a Pippo pal). Signed for us for four years yet being totally ignored. I wasn't hugely in favour of the signing but he's here and he deserves a shot - can't be worse than the shite out there. Unless he's Bocchetti, of course.

But I know Zaps is a 'me' (and perhaps you thing X) thing and truth is Pippo's never going to partner him with Alex so that's a busted flush.

Rest can all go happily. Pity they're not taking Monto & Honda with them.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 20 2015, 04:31 PM

I'd definitely keep Zapata but not as starter, and I'm not sure if he'll be happy with that. In most interviews he keeps stating that he wants to play, and I just don't think he's good enough to be a starter. We need someone else of quality to partner alongside Alex, preferably left-footed.

Posted by: Danny Feb 20 2015, 04:58 PM

Alex is yer alpha defender, the leader, the slower one, strong, positionally excellent, collosal in the air and not scared to put his body where it hurts.

He needs a decent foil to fill the attributes he doesn't have - pace, last-ditch blocking, filling in when he's out of position, height. Zapata is the best one of the lot we have for that task - we both agree the two of them are the best partnership we have. The odd thing, you say he's not good enough to be a starter, yet he clearly was in the CL alongside Mexes two seasons ago. Funny though, I would tentatively agree that he isn't good enough to start overall, but the irony is he's still the best of the options we have to partner Alex.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 20 2015, 06:52 PM

In terms of what we have, yes, he's the ideal partner to Alex. But I'm speaking about next season, we need a jump in quality in defense and midfield, so a quick, capable CB (better than Zapata) to partner Alex and a playmaker (better than Montolivo) are what we truly, desperately lack.

Posted by: Danny Feb 20 2015, 07:31 PM

Unless Silvio sells up, or we get Conte (or any top class manager) you can forget about aspirations for next season.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 22 2015, 12:29 PM

I'm probably the only one who's not that disappointed with de Jong leaving. Don't get me wrong, and a perfect team he's the perfect DM - that is, when you have various young talents, Sneijders and van der Vaarts doing the creating. But at Milan his limitation came to an evident spot. We don't need players like him in our current situation.

Posted by: Danny Feb 22 2015, 12:42 PM

I'm less gutted and more resigned. That would sum me up. I feel like every window we've kept him since summer 2013 has been a bonus.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 22 2015, 02:52 PM

With De Jong leaving Monto needs to step up and become our main anchor. That's how I feel about it.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 22 2015, 03:12 PM

Yeah, like that's really gonna happen

Posted by: Danny Feb 22 2015, 05:12 PM

Monto can't perform with De Jong (or anyone else), he'll just be even worse on his 'own'.

Horrendous player who's been living off his name for far too long.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 22 2015, 05:53 PM

What name? It's not like he inherited Maldini or Baresi...


Agreed x-off. I think Monto is better in front of the defence rather than roaming about looking clueless. And agreed with Filippo as well, we need more creativity and dynamism in our midfield.

It can't be like in the past, where one players did the destroying, the others the creating. We need everyone to pitch in on both sides of the ball. Bonaventura is the only player who imo does this consistently but is mostly wasted by being played as an attacking winger/borderline forward by Pippo and never utilised where he'd truly be useful, in midfield. Poli tries, but I feel like there's something missing with him, Van Ginkel could have worked, but was never really given the opportunity and Monto has plummeted since the leg fracture from what was already a disappointing year for him. The Muntaris, Essiens. They're just useless to our cause and make more harm than good when they're playing.

For next season, I really hope we can focus on someone like Witsel or Gundogan, these are the types of players who are dynamic and sort of affordable and we can maybe lure them in. But those are the types of players that ambitious clubs go after, and sadly these days, that's not us.

So expect more random signings and contract extensions to the likes of Muntari and Bonera.

And the only frustration I feel about De Jong at this point is that we could have sold him for some decent money last summer but again, Galliani's impeccable business sense prevails here

Posted by: Danny Feb 22 2015, 07:30 PM

When we signed him he was the 'great' (?) Monto, Italian international and Fiorentina captain. He was a big deal when we signed him.

He's now complete shash, but still plays when fit.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 22 2015, 07:51 PM

Nah, we always knew what he was, he was never "great". He's always been a good player imo. He was good throughout his years at Fiorentina and played his way into the national team while he was playing for us, he wasn't a regular name in the Azzurri squad before that.

It was mostly a big deal because we got him for nothing. And it p!ssed Fiorentina off to no end

Let's not forget that Monto went through a leg fracture this summer. Some players simply never recover fully from those injuries, look at players like Wilshire, who took years, not months to recover from his.

I personally didn't even expect him to be part of the squad this season because it takes so long for players to recover fully from that kind of injury plus having to get a surgery for it.

Posted by: Danny Feb 22 2015, 07:57 PM

He was cr*p before injury too though.

I'd say that form is more destroyed by ACL and other muscle injuries than bone breaks. Falcao is the prime example. What he could have been if not for ACL.

Now he's not even rubbish and when a year ago I'd have sold my late mother's grave for land to have us sign him, now I would totally object if he came near. And I am, because I hear we're interested in him for this summer.

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 22 2015, 08:06 PM

For some reason this made me


Yeah, he was pretty average last season, especially compared to the good first season he had.

Honestly, for me, I'm not trying to defend him here. If we had Witsel coming in this summer, I'd have no problem selling Monto, but at this point I'm trying to look at the big picture of the situation our club is in, and let's face it, it's not pretty.

Do I think Monto still has something to offer to this team as it is? Yes. That's why I say that if no one better is coming along I'd rather we try to get the best out of him that we can because I can't see us getting anyone better.

If we don't sign the CM we need for next season (which let's face it, is a big possibility), then a midfield trio of Jack, Monto playing in the holding position with a more restricted role and Poli is probably the best we can do

Posted by: Danny Feb 22 2015, 09:01 PM

Baselli's coming! He'll save the day!

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 23 2015, 12:08 AM

Yeah, the kid who isn't even a starter at Atalanta. Whoo-hoo!

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 23 2015, 12:54 AM

But he usually is, no? At least all the times I was watching them?

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 23 2015, 02:50 AM

As far as I know, he's not a starter. Could be wrong.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 24 2015, 11:10 PM

Apparently we've signed Carlos Zambrano, 25 year old CB from Eintracht Frankfurt. Free agent, of course...

http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/mercato/milan/2015/articoli/1059740/milan-arriva-carlos-zambrano-a-parametro-zero.shtml

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 24 2015, 11:14 PM

The news was followed by a denial. Unclear what has actually happened.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 24 2015, 11:53 PM

Any attempt to sign another CB at this point would be ridiculous.

Posted by: Danny Feb 25 2015, 01:34 AM

Not so. Any attempt to sign another AVERAGE CB at this point would be.

We need a quality partner for Alex, and I admit Paletta and he doesn't work, as doesn't he and Mexes. Zaps does, but won't happen, so if we can get a GOOD partner then we're getting somewhere.

I know nothing of this guy though.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 25 2015, 01:52 AM

Average? Zambrano is below average, he's horrible. Horrible singing.

Posted by: Danny Feb 25 2015, 10:02 AM

You've emphasised my point.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 25 2015, 11:05 AM

He's free. Galliani will leash even on a homeless hobo if no money is involved. Fucking cheapskate, cancer of this club!

Posted by: Danny Feb 25 2015, 12:16 PM

You say that, but who's the one who sanctions the cash? Berlu! And as commercial and financial director, his daugher Babs.

Galliani is a sneaky little two-bit liar, not denying it, but he can only work with the budget he's given.

And that's down to B&B.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 25 2015, 02:58 PM

Then don't sign him if he's crap! We have plenty of defenders already.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 25 2015, 04:58 PM

Yes, the Berlus share the blame. However, the budget is in large part impacted by salaries (plus taxes we pay on these salaries). IMHO, Milan budget is inflated because of players that dray much higher salaries than they would get elsewhere, most of which we got as "parametro zero" and many of which are not that good. Think Mexes (parametro zero, arguably a good player when he does not start fights, but at a yearly cost of 4M salary + 4M taxes, all for the pleasure of having him warm the bench), Matri (this one cost us real money plus has a high salary, which I believe we are still paying), Muntari (in the worthless + high salary category), and so on.

Bottom line, our transfer policy is all messed up, and that is Galliani's making IMHO. AFAIAC we would be much better off looking for a few good players with promise (even if they cost a little money upfront). Build a team, even if it means taking some risks and possibly staying mid table for a couple of years (its not as if we are doing much better with our current "grand strategy").

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 25 2015, 05:22 PM

Btw. what's with Barbara? At one point, it looked like she's the crucial person for Milan, but nowadays you can hardly see her third, behind Berlu and Galliani.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 25 2015, 05:50 PM

I guess I thought that went without saying since we all know that our range for searching out players is between the mediocre to average.

Sure we need a top CB, desperately so. Mexes is most likely out of the picture in the summer, for me that only means we're losing one decent player among the other very average ones we have. Paletta is just not good enough, he's Rami/Zapata level for me. Bocchetti, Bonera, Zaccardo, Antonelli are all below average. Sure Antonelli has had a decent start but so did Mesbah

From our current endless line of defenders, the ones I'd keep would very few and I can practically count on one hand


Sure, that's true, but Galliani has also been the mastermind behind some epic failure moves. Which cost us money, money that could have been used much more intelligently.

And let's not go into these free agents he straps around our ankles that we have to carry for the duration of their ridiculous over priced contracts. Not to mention all the contracts extensions he handed/hands out to old players who don't contribute to the team or terrible players like Muntari who just got his contract renewed last summer for an even better pay package.

He might not be the one who's in control, but Silvio has given him free license to do as he wishes for far too long and some of the "genius" moves he's pulled off is the reason why we're in the situation we're in


Well she is the one behind the new stadium project, I think she's working a lot behind the scenes nowadays since her attempt to overthrow Galliani failed.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 25 2015, 05:53 PM

Yep

Posted by: Danny Feb 25 2015, 09:52 PM

Like Han says she's basically 100% focused on Milan Arena, which is under her jurisdiction. As he also pointed out, her attempt at getting rid of Galliani failed, so with no influence over signings other than aspects of budget, she's simply not got the influence she wants.

She has the same ambitions as us fans, but hamstrung by Daddy's purse-strings and Galliani's stubbornness.

That said I am curious that she publicly fired Allegri but has said nothing about Pippo despite him being way worse.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 25 2015, 10:07 PM

However I feel that unlike us fans her "good" intentions are only there for her own personal benefit.

She wants to turn Milan into a profitable well-run company so she can get the best amount of money possible for when the old man dies and she and her siblings sell up

Posted by: Danny Feb 25 2015, 10:58 PM

Shock horror. Heir in 'wanting to get big inheritance' scandal!

I know someone connected with Rangers, and they are more concerned in getting a big inheritance for themselves than investing that money in the club.

Money rules the world.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 26 2015, 12:21 AM

No Han, you can't put Antonelli on the same category as Mesbah. He's a very reliable defender, and has shown it for quite some time at Genoa.

Posted by: Danny Feb 26 2015, 02:03 AM

Until MDS shows all the promise he did two years ago, there is no contest for the LB slot.

Antonelli has justified his selection with aplomb and is not just the best for that slot, but right now one of the team's best performers, period.

Not saying a lot, I know, but no less true.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 26 2015, 06:02 AM

http://www.goal.com/it/news/7/calciomercato/2015/02/25/9263842/milan-la-virt%C3%B9-sta-nel-mezzo-tra-baselli-e-valdifiori?ICID=HP_FT_4

Says our biggest problem is the midfield (no surprise there) and that changes are coming this summer (would really like to believe that, but I no longer know what to believe). Says Muntari is on his way out (would like to believe that as well). Links us with Baselli, Valdifiori, and Kedeira (not sure if I believe Kedeira, especially as his salary is supposed to be 7M, which is well beyond our self-imposed limit).

Posted by: han2503 Feb 26 2015, 11:07 AM

I'm personally just not convinced, and really he did well at Genoa? They let him go for basically nothing and wasn't their starter as far as I know.

He's so far started decently. Made a few mistakes, namely on the Tevez goal imo.

I'm just not sure about him, especially long term

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 26 2015, 11:26 AM

Bild writes that Khedira is very close to joining Schalke...

I'd love to have the guy here. He'd be perfect as De Jong's replacement. And his contract expires this summer!



He was Genoa's captain, man. Played 18 games for Genoa this season before joining us, all of them as starter as far as I know. And yes, he was good for them.

A few mistakes are understandable in a team where everything is a mess. He's been solid for us so far everything considered, it's unnatural to think otherwise.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 26 2015, 12:14 PM

Skeptical about Khedira. I'd rather pass. The guy puts up every now and then a brilliant performances, but has no consistency. Also, he's very injury-prone, which isn't good for us.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 26 2015, 01:53 PM

Come on, if we're picky even about a player of Khedira's caliber, there's no point. Agreed about his injuries though, that could be a problem.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 26 2015, 03:15 PM

We must be picky especially about that kind of caliber. Look, we're not Chelsea who can sign 3-4 big names and afford every other to turn into a "Shevechenko" or "Veron". We got one spot for a big name midfielder, now we should carefully think if it should be Khedira who'd be (most probably) our top earner or someone else.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 26 2015, 03:30 PM

Or someone else who might cost a lot. Khedira would come for free. And I don't see him as a gamble like you portray him. I rate him, always have.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 26 2015, 10:13 PM

Really? Becaue a few months ago, absolutely none of us knew who he was aside from Fillipo who gave us a bit of trivia about his Milan past.

I think he's shown that he could be a dependable backup, unlike the likes of Zaccardo and Bonera.

Posted by: Danny Feb 26 2015, 10:57 PM

Beggars, which we are, can't be choosers, and Khedira would be a wonderful signing.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 26 2015, 11:15 PM

But would he be worth it for the wage he'd demand? Especially being a free agent...

If we sign him as such, we'd have to fork out premium money, as we had to do with Mexes and Flamini, on an even grander scale because Khedira is already earning big money at Real...

Don't know, in the position we're in I can't see us being able to afford that, at least not without consequences in other areas of the pitch.

That being said, the other names we're being linked to are completely underwhelming

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 26 2015, 11:22 PM

Anything more than €3.5 million and he can go play elsewhere. This is not Madrid. We can't pay him all that money, and if the rumors about Schalke are true, I doubt they can pay him that much either.

Posted by: Danny Feb 27 2015, 12:43 AM

Well that makes, what, 60K a week. A world class midfielder for 60K a week?

Surely he'd rightly expect about 80K absolute minimum?

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 27 2015, 03:16 PM

Khedira would be an outstanding signing. It's not like we'd feel the full hit of his wages anyway, seeing as he'd just be filling the cash void left by De Jong.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 27 2015, 10:38 PM

De Jong isn't paid all that much (relatively speaking), he's earning 3.5m after taxes, which of course is a lot, but in terms of what Khedira or any other top player would want it's not much.

Mexes would be the one to take a load off the bill.

But let's not forget that technically we still own Robinho and Matri and I don't know what we're still paying in terms of wages for those 2

Pazzo will also most likely be sold, so that's another big wage off the books. And I also don't know what the deal with Torres is either, he's getting paid as much as Mexes. At least that's what Gazzetta published. But now with the Torres Cerci swap I don't know how the logistics of that effect what we're currently paying either player

Btw, Muntari and Essien earn a combined amount of 10m per year before taxes. So making sure these 2 are also gone should be a priority this summer

Posted by: Forza Milan! Mar 16 2015, 02:48 AM

What I find real frustrating this year is that all other Serie A teams (except for Juve) appear to be having their share of "off days". Would have not been that hard for us to get 3rd place (or even 2nd place).

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 16 2015, 11:15 AM

Every team has been fumbling up and down, left and right, except for Juve. The competition is too scarce. We could have easily been fighting for 3rd place, or at least EL placements, but we're so bad even that seems like a delusional aspiration. Shame.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 16 2015, 11:41 AM

So, I was reading that we're interested in Valdifiori of Empoli as De Jong's replacement. Never seen him play, but I just realized that he's 28 years old. Seriously, a 28 year old Empoli player is our answer to possibly the best player in our team leaving? What's with us and Empoli anyway?

My god, it's like we're trying to reach new lows with every season...

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 16 2015, 11:58 AM

We're broke and we're heading that way a long time. I don't know what you guys expect, a sudden change? You really think it comes all down to Galliani being dumb for so many transfer periods and now he's finally seen the light?

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 16 2015, 12:06 PM

There are certainly better players out there who we could sign for just a little bit more money. But wait, we couldn't afford to pay €500k to Valencia for Rami, so I get your point.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 16 2015, 12:07 PM

And by the way, Fillipo, I don't think your signature picture works anymore. I haven't been able to see it for months. Don't know if it's just me...

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 16 2015, 12:17 PM

Yeah, I know. I've been lazy in that regard, it's that Imageshack thing...

Posted by: han2503 Mar 16 2015, 02:31 PM

Use photobucket

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 16 2015, 06:34 PM

I need to make a new signature first. But thanks for the advice

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 16 2015, 07:45 PM

I suggest an anti-Pippo one.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 16 2015, 07:59 PM

Nah, I'm always pro-Milan

Posted by: Danny Mar 16 2015, 10:16 PM

In the same window we spunked £8M on Bona? Nah, we could afford it, we just refused to.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 16 2015, 10:24 PM

Agreed, the broke excuses seriously get on my f@cking nerves to no end!!

We had money when we wanted to spend on certain players, 12m on Matri? Could have landed us Strootman and we'd have some change left over. The millions we've poured down the drain on certain player wages? Oh like the 5m per year on Essien? The other 5m per year on Muntari? Could have gotten Niangolan or Vidal. Because that's how much Roma and Juve paid for those great players.

Players they got for very reasonable and affordable prices. But nah, let's renew Muntari's contract again and give him another pay hike, because you know, he's not privileged enough as it is.

We do have money, even if it's not a lot, it's just money that is being completely mismanaged

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 16 2015, 10:47 PM

Was just being sarcastic, but in all honesty the money we spent on Bona (pretty sure it was €6 million, not €8 million) we got from Cristante's sale.

Posted by: Danny Mar 17 2015, 12:35 AM

7M Euros plus bonuses. That makes it ROUGHLY £8M.

Posted by: Danny Mar 17 2015, 12:36 AM

Fans forget this club is still in the black. We're still profitable, if not, as you say, in the PSG Man City league. We have enough to make a competitive Serie A squad and that could do respectably in European competition but Silvio chooses to spend it on 17 year old prostitutes instead.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 18 2015, 01:01 PM

Objectives for coach next season:

Conte (the dream) - The best solution, but him being NT coach is a problem;
Montella (the temptation) - Young coach with an offensive mindset and desire to achieve results;
Sarri (the bet) - Easy solution that doesn't resonate well with fans;
Spalletti (the certainty) - Experienced coach, but his attitude may be seen as problematic.

Other ideas: Klopp, Prandelli, Donadoni.

http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Milan/17-03-2015/milan-toto-allenatore-conte-montella-sarri-spalletti-inzaghi-110147475774.shtml

Who would you prefer from the names above?

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 18 2015, 01:36 PM

You know, you once mentioned Rijkaard. I do think we should give that generation of Milan legends a try. I'm a bit surprised how everyone got surpassed; Costacurta, Baresi, Donadoni, Rijkaard, MvB, Gullit and who knows how many of them turned to coaching, and I always expected one of them to make a stop at his former home.

That being said, from the lot you mentioned, I'd like Conte the best, naturally. All of the other coaches mentioned have a evident negative side (apart from Klopp, but he has no Serie A experience and wouldn't come here anyway, his style suits Arsenal and he'll be the ideal Wenger sub).

Montella is still green and I'm not satisfied how he evolved at Fiorentina. But he has the pole position. Then Donadoni who seems to be a good small club coach. Spalletti is a born looser, same to Sarri. Prandelli? Not sure, he's like an upgraded Allegri to me.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 18 2015, 01:56 PM

Any of those choices would be an upgrade over what we've had in the last five years, except for Sarri. Personally, I'd be happy with either Conte, Montella or Spalletti. Donadoni and Prandelli don't convince me, and Klopp like you said I just can't see him signing for us.

As for Spalletti, I don't consider him a born loser. What teams has he managed so far? Udinese, Roma and Zenit those worth mentioning. He did extremely good at Udinese, made Roma play some great football in a period when Milan, Juve and then Inter were too strong to compete with, and still got them 2nd three years in a row, winning two Coppa Italia titles in the process. That's not a bad record, my friend.

And then with Zenit he won the Russian league twice, among other domestic titles. The point is, for the teams he's managed, he's done very well. It's not like he's coached Madrid or Chelsea and hasn't won anything with them for you to label him a born loser, no? I would be very happy if we got him. I read that he won't have no contractual obligations come summer.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 18 2015, 03:21 PM

Now Mihajlovic is being mentioned.

http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/calcio/calcio/2015/articoli/1061420/milan-e-mihajlovic-la-panchina-aspetta.shtml

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 18 2015, 03:36 PM

Oh God please no!

As for Spalletti; he had so many chances to do something more then just being 2nd and blew it every time.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 18 2015, 05:06 PM

I can't understand how you say this. What chances? In 05/06 he finished second, we finished 3rd despite having a much better squad. In 06/07 and 07/08 he finished 2nd twice despite Inter being on fire in the league. He only failed the subsequent season. Are you telling me that with an inferior Roma he should have won the Scudetto to not be considered a failure? That's a tad excessive.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 18 2015, 05:44 PM

Okay, let's do this.

He had a good start with Sampdoria and Empoli, got relegated with Venezia. His second spell at Udine started good and had a fair-tale ending. Then he got to Roma and had to deal with Inter. Milan at that time already started to loose capability of playing good in the league. He got comfortable in getting second, never really making a run for the money. In 2008 Roma came closest, but failed in the last leg drawing with Catania.

Look, maybe my comment was over the top. But I honestly want someone with a winning mentality and someone who's won more then just the Coppa Italia. I simply have little respect for Spalletti, he's been always small in that regard.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 18 2015, 06:18 PM

From that list my wishlist would be

1. Conte
2. Montella
3. Spalletti

Klopp is just not an option for us in my mind. Donadoni has done some decent things but if we want to actually accomplish something of note next season we have to aim higher than him, same thing with Prandelli tbh. The WC just left a bad taste in my mouth with regards to him

Sarri doesn't even warrant considering and it's appalling that his name is being mentioned in the press so much. Just goes to show that Galliani simply never learns his lesson

Mihajlovic is also very interesting to me, as a coach. I don't like him at all. But you have to admit that Samp have been doing very well under him

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 18 2015, 06:25 PM

Yep, totally over-the-top, in my opinion. I think you're exaggerating. Sure, he hasn't won anything prestigious, but like I said, given the clubs he's trained so far, he's done very well.



I like him, too. I don't give a crap about his Inter ties. I'm past that point of consideration.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 18 2015, 06:57 PM

It's not his Inter ties but his overall behavior. Brawling and assaulting his own players, having a bad temper and all that. On top of it, I disliked him as a player very much.

Posted by: Danny Mar 18 2015, 10:27 PM

I'd take Mihajlovic.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 18 2015, 10:37 PM

He'd be my 4th choice after Conte, Montella and Spalletti. Certainly above Prandelli and Donadoni.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 18 2015, 11:20 PM

Why?

Posted by: han2503 Mar 18 2015, 11:33 PM

Look at what he's doing with Samp.

I just think he has a higher potential treshold than Donadoni or Prandelli

Posted by: Danny Mar 19 2015, 12:04 AM

My joint top choices are Conte, Montella and Klopp. Spalletti, Mihajlovic are probably next, with Prandelli and Donadoni up the rear.

The one thing these all have in common is experience. Lots of it.

Any of those those 7 are superior to Pippo.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 19 2015, 12:04 AM

Donadoni had good results with Livorno and Parma, Prandelli entered the CL with Fiorentina. On the other hand, Mihajlovic failed badly with Serbia, Bologna and Fiorentina. I'm really not sure one season (which isn't over jet) is enough.

Posted by: maldini03 Mar 19 2015, 01:16 AM

From the options you mentioned I think that Conte would definitely be the best choice, but I doubt he would come here. Following him I would say Montella but I cannot see him leaving Fiorentina to come here. After that I'd take Spalletti. I see Prandelli and Donadoni on the same level and I don't think either one would be better than the other. Mihajlovic is more of a wild card in my eyes. I don't see Sarri as a terrible choice, I don't know too much about him, but he does have Empoli playing pretty well, I would like to see how he would do with better personnel.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 19 2015, 01:42 AM

They're 15th...

Posted by: Danny Mar 19 2015, 02:06 AM

9 points clear of relegation and haven't lost since 26th of January to Udine.

They're doing well at the moment.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 19 2015, 10:38 AM

And that means Sarri is doing a commendable job to be considered for our bench? Not in a million years.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 19 2015, 11:30 AM

Agreed, isn't that similar to what Allegri was doing at Cagliari?

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 19 2015, 11:49 AM

Allegri actually got them 9th.

Posted by: Danny Mar 19 2015, 01:33 PM

Thought we weren't discussing 'he who shall not be named' again?

Posted by: Danny Mar 19 2015, 01:33 PM

Far from it, just expressing how he's doing at Empoli.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 19 2015, 02:01 PM

Well it's not really a debate just a general question.


And last I checked you were the one who had a problem with the Allegri debates/arguments, not me

Posted by: Danny Mar 19 2015, 03:23 PM

Last I checked this was Milanfan.com not Hanfan.com

I was replying to three of you...

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 19 2015, 03:45 PM

Let's move on, shall we?

Posted by: han2503 Mar 19 2015, 03:53 PM

I was the one that brought him up, so I was assuming you were replying to me. And as I said, I never had any issues with us talking or even arguing about Allegri, you did, so I personally have no issues with anyone bringing him up, that's why I said what I did

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 19 2015, 04:05 PM

Yes, please.

Posted by: maldini03 Mar 19 2015, 10:51 PM

Despite Empoli's position being 15th, they do play attractive soccer, certainly much more attractive than the brand of soccer we have been producing. Don't get me wrong he isn't a great choice, but I don't really see him as a step down. If anything he is a move laterally, similar to what we have been doing in the past few years...

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 24 2015, 11:31 PM

Mediaset says Destro will be returned to Roma at the end of the season. He hasn't convinced the management.

http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/mercato/milan/2015/articoli/1061903/destro-non-sara-riscattato-dal-milan-160-.shtml

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 25 2015, 01:09 AM

Good call, IMO.

Posted by: Danny Mar 25 2015, 11:59 AM

He's one player we should absolutely keep. In the mould of Pippo. And Pippo himself would have struggled in this Milan.

But I don't think he fits. Mainly because he's good and takes chances. None of which we create.

I really hate the way Milan is being 'managed' tbh. From Pippo, to BB&G. It's just so incompetent.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 25 2015, 12:43 PM

He is? Why? I don't think he's what we need.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 25 2015, 01:12 PM

He hasn't really convinced me either. Tends to disappear a lot during games. But the guy thrives on assistance. He scored a lot at Roma despite not being a starter because they provided him said assistance. We're struggling big time right now, so obviously he's not in his game.

Fillipo is right, he's not what we need, but maybe that will change next season. I wouldn't give up on him just yet.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 25 2015, 01:21 PM

Yes, we'll most definitively change if Pippo goes. I think no other coach would/will support this system. But Destro is not enough simply put, he's like a young Pazzini (but his finishing isn't as good as Pazzo's was). What we need is a Pato, a Shevchenko in attack.

By the way guys, do you think we could/should sell Menez this coming season or stick with him?

Posted by: han2503 Mar 25 2015, 03:32 PM

I predicted before we even got him that he would struggle. And I was against signing him outright, at least this way it didn't cost us millions

And it's not his fault, him not working out here was predictable, he's a poacher. He thrives off of chances created for him. And we simply do not create the amount of chances he'd need to be prolific.

There is a reason why every pure striker we've had since Sheva aside from Ibra has bombed with us. We're just sterile, and this has been the case for a while now. Under Allegri it was very obvious as well, same as with Leo. We just don't play in a way where a striker can really thrive. Like for example Pippo did under Carlo.

For our attacking line to be a bit more prolific we need someone up there who not only scores but creates chances for himself and the others.

Oh and an actual midfield as well

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 25 2015, 03:53 PM

Sell him? Nah, why would we?

Posted by: Danny Mar 25 2015, 04:01 PM

That's my point. He's a good player, a very good striker. The few really good chances he's had he's taken.

But he doesn't get enough.

Han has a point with how he felt pre-signing, but his comments were more based on believing Destro wasn't that great. He is, but you cannot fire a gun without ammo, no matter how good that gun is.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 25 2015, 04:15 PM

And what makes you think/say he is great?

Posted by: Danny Mar 25 2015, 04:50 PM

13 goals in 20 in Serie A in 2012/2013, including 6 sub appearances.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 25 2015, 05:19 PM

He's not bad, far from it. He can handle the ball well and has good intuition. His record for Siena and Roma is 0.42 goals per game, which isn't bad considering he was mostly used as a sub at Roma.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 25 2015, 05:24 PM

Now Mediaset are saying that we want Immobile for €15 million.

Seriously, Immobile for Destro? What's the point? I think they're very similar, but I rate Destro more. At least from what I've seen.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 25 2015, 06:13 PM

I'd rather take Paloschi back then splash big money on Destro.

Posted by: Danny Mar 25 2015, 10:43 PM

This is pretty much why Curva Sud have boycotted us.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 26 2015, 11:55 AM

I never said he was bad either.

I see him for what he is. Which is a poacher, I think he's an overall good player, but he's not going to be good here with us, simply because it's not the right team for him.

I also was very adamant about us not signing him because I think it's too much money for him, especially taking into consideration the type of player he is and the fact that he won't really shine with us unless there is some major overhaul to the squad that is


I personally rate Immobile more than Destro

But again, what's the point of switching when they're the same type of player?

Sometimes I really do feel like Galliani has absolutely no clue when it comes to football, which is ridiculous since he's been in this for decades. But really some of the decisions and transfers are just baffling

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 26 2015, 02:13 PM

Let's just get Cavani and put a rock on it.

Posted by: Danny Mar 26 2015, 04:02 PM

Big-time choker.

Never manages it on the big stage. EVER.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 27 2015, 11:15 AM

We're again interested in Sevilla's Emery as Inzaghi's replacement.

http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/calcio/milan/2015/articoli/1062076/milan-rispunta-emery-per-la-panchina-160-.shtml

Posted by: Danny Mar 27 2015, 11:43 AM

I forgot to post that. Rumour last night was we were offering him the job today.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 27 2015, 12:12 PM

Anyone here watch Sevilla from time to time?

I absolutely have no idea who this guy is

Posted by: Danny Mar 27 2015, 01:16 PM

I know a little of him, but not a lot. But it takes a lot to be consistently fifth in La Liga with the Madrids and Barcelona hanging around with much bigger budgets.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 27 2015, 07:55 PM

He did well with Valencia, then won with Sevilla the EL last season, and is now 5 points from 4th place in La Liga. That's all I know.

Posted by: Danny Mar 27 2015, 11:30 PM

It's better than we deserve right now. So he'd be as good as anyone.

Posted by: Danny Mar 28 2015, 02:32 PM

He's reportedly quitting Sevilla and apparently wants Milan above anyone.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 28 2015, 03:21 PM

I'd rather we go for a coach with Serie A experience, but well...

Posted by: Danny Apr 1 2015, 10:39 PM

Deader than tank tops around here, but Pablo Armero has been shipped out to Flamengo. Expected to be concluded this week.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Apr 1 2015, 11:30 PM

Good call, useless singing. But hey, he's a Colombian international.

Posted by: Danny Apr 2 2015, 12:37 AM

I got him totally wrong. Really thought he'd be a good one for us. Total disaster.

Posted by: han2503 Apr 2 2015, 08:29 AM

I think some of the stuff he did while at Udine a few years ago was impressive, mostly because of his speed

But we needed a LB and he's simply not a defender

Posted by: X-Offender Apr 2 2015, 11:08 AM

Yeah, he can't defend for sh*t. Would work well in a 3-5-2 formation, though.

Posted by: Danny Apr 2 2015, 01:07 PM

As he does for Colombia.

Posted by: han2503 Apr 2 2015, 04:24 PM

Didn't he mostly play on the wing at Udine?

Anyway, is it going to be a sale where we get actual money for him or did we never sign him so he's free to leave when he wishes to do so?

Posted by: X-Offender Apr 2 2015, 04:30 PM

No, he was on loan from Udine.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Apr 2 2015, 06:16 PM

http://www.goal.com/it/news/7078/cronaca/2015/04/02/10398402/il-75-del-milan-ai-cinesi-affare-fatto-arriva-la-smentita-di?ICID=HP_HN_1

Starting to get tiered of the seemingly endless cycle of rumor-denial. OTOH we desperately need a change, so I am hoping something may come out of this.

Posted by: X-Offender Apr 2 2015, 07:44 PM

Rumor here, rumor there. Denial here, denial there. What a farce.

Posted by: Danny Apr 2 2015, 10:06 PM

This one has apparently been privately confirmed by Berlu.

No idea how accurate that is.

Posted by: X-Offender Apr 2 2015, 10:37 PM

The article FM! posted says that sources close to Silvio have denied the rumor.

Posted by: Danny Apr 2 2015, 11:23 PM

Yes and other sources have claimed the opposite.

It's a farce. Utterly ridiculous how the club is run.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Apr 3 2015, 01:13 AM

Agree on the farce + ridiculous comments. FWIW, the latest article on the topic seems to indicate that something may actually be happening despite the denials, possibly with the backing of the Chinese government. (http://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/serie-a/milan/2015/04/02/news/milan_i_cinesi_smentiscono_la_trattativa_per_il_club_il_calcio_non_ci_interessa_-111052798/.)

Posted by: Danny Apr 3 2015, 11:41 AM

Yup, heard that too.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Apr 3 2015, 01:47 PM

A sale of the club is very likely in the coming two months. Glory days under Berlusconi will soon be over.

Enter Thai/Chinese investor, who wont be allowed to splash money on the team because of FFP restrictions.

New faces, minor improvements maybe, but the biggest winner is Berlusconi if this club is valued at 1bn.

Posted by: X-Offender Apr 3 2015, 01:53 PM

We need some major sponsorship deals. Milan are the most popular club in China, I read. Hopefully we can squeeze some money from that.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Apr 3 2015, 03:28 PM

Glory days under Berlusconi have been over for a while now . Don't get me wrong, I am truly grateful for what Berlu (and to a lesser extent Galliani) have done for the team. I really am. But somewhere along the line the two have fallen behind, and right now they are more of a liability than an asset. Something needs to change, and it needs to start from the top.

I understand FFP, and I understand that a new investor will not be able to "splash money". OTOH, as pointed out by XO, there hopefully will be some increase in revenue via sponsorship, especially if the deal is being used to promote football in China (as some of the articles suggest). More important, there will be a change in the management structure (there always is when ownership changes), and one has to hope that it will be for the better (true, things could get even worse, but these days our management is so bad that I doubt that will happen).

Reality is that other teams in Serie A (with revenues much smaller than Milan) have been able to do much better than us in recent years. Yes, FFP is for real, as is the crisis that Serie A teams have been facing in recent years. However, both are being used as an excuse to mask the shortcomings of our present day management.

Bottom line, I really, really hope this is for real.

Posted by: han2503 Apr 3 2015, 03:56 PM

Would you however estimate that he spent somewhere in that region on Milan in the past 2+ decades?

I think he's just recouping what he put into this club, most likely because none of his kids want it to keep draining away at their future inheritance

Posted by: han2503 Apr 3 2015, 03:58 PM

Also would like to add that I'm very sceptical with regards to possible investors from countries like China or Thailand...

Do we need change, abso-freaking-lutely, BUT let's just all pray that it's a change for the better

Posted by: Forza Milan! Apr 3 2015, 05:11 PM

True. However, IMHO he got ample benefits out of what he spent on Milan.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Apr 3 2015, 05:14 PM

I agree that change is not always for the better, and in some ways I am apprehensive about new investors (if nothing else, I believe Berlu has been truly devoted to Milan). OTOH, I doubt management could get much worse than it is right now, and I personally do not see anything wrong with some Asian influence.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Apr 3 2015, 06:38 PM

Agreed.

Posted by: X-Offender Apr 4 2015, 12:37 AM

Mr. Bee (from the Thai fund) responds to the Chinese: 500 million for 60% of the club, with Maldini as technical director.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11026146_10152674291580936_7658843329102259693_n.png?oh=1444770c6a488d8f92f193302e160ca7&oe=55A235D6&__gda__=1437117426_e5d503181e74df443845d37126723c73

Posted by: Danny Apr 4 2015, 01:50 AM

As I said in the match thread whoever buys us will have to agree to Silvio as honourary president.

Posted by: han2503 Apr 4 2015, 07:50 AM

We really need to make a clean sweep, Silvio waxing lyrical from his throne will not work imo

Especially if he somehow manages to smuggle Galliani another big position in the new hierarchy


So there's a bidding war?

Posted by: X-Offender Apr 4 2015, 10:18 AM

I really don't care if Silvio remains as honorary president or not. His influence will be minimal, just like with Moratti after Tohir took over. No-one will give two shits about him.

Posted by: Danny Apr 4 2015, 04:08 PM

And look how Inter have thrived since then...

Posted by: X-Offender Apr 4 2015, 04:14 PM

What's that got to do with anything?

Posted by: Danny Apr 4 2015, 10:54 PM

They sold to FE billionaires leaving Moratti as HP and it hasn't improved them at all.

Just think if we sell we have to sever ties to Silvio completely.

Posted by: X-Offender Apr 4 2015, 11:51 PM

But what does the HP role have to do with whether the club improves or not? It's just a title, and a worthless one. In fact, Moratti had to resign because Tohir didn't listen to him anymore. If we sell the majority of the shares to these FE buyers, Berlusconi's influence will become insignificant.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Apr 5 2015, 01:19 AM

A change in management does not necessarily mean a change for the better, it all depends on the quality of the new management. In the case of Inter it looks like they are still struggling. However, we are so bad right now that the chances of us getting even worse feel rather low. So, personally speaking, I am happy to take the chance.

Posted by: Danny Apr 5 2015, 02:05 AM

As am I, I just don't want Silvio even having a say as a mere HP. It's like a non-executive board member. Might not have power, but people will still listen to you.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Apr 5 2015, 11:13 AM

And that's good. A good firm always keeps opposite ideas close. This is what got us down, why now emulate the same pattern?

Posted by: Forza Milan! Apr 16 2015, 07:11 PM

According to http://www.goal.com/it/news/7/calciomercato/2015/04/16/10834402/calciomercato-milan-il-santos-chiama-per-robinho-spunta-un?ICID=HP_BN_8, Santos wants Robinho, and they may be willing to trade. The name Gabriel Barbosa ('Gabigol') is mentioned (supposedly a promising forward, ~20 years old and part of Brazil's U20 NT). Anyone have any idea if he is any good?

Posted by: Forza Milan! Apr 24 2015, 05:31 PM

According to Tuttosport, we are after Iago Falque, possibly as part of a trade involving Niang. From what I can see, he does not sounds overly impressive. Typical of our recent signings, though.

Posted by: Linkman May 4 2015, 05:48 AM

Gabriel is okay. He's prolific scoring goals, and of course, he comes from Santos' youth who is renowned as one of the best in Brazil, if not the best.

He still looks green of course, but so did Neymar and Robinho at his age. Santos has had offers for him for a while now, but are waiting like they did with Ney to get better prices. Except he sort of faded after a really good scoring stint back in... what was it, early 2014? It's possible he just had a good couple of months like SES.

Would I pay for him? Maybe. It's a gamble right now, moving him too young might be disastrous (see Keirrison.) As a Brazilian, I'd like him to turn 20 or so before moving.

Posted by: Danny May 4 2015, 03:37 PM

Falque is ok. He tore us to pieces the other week, which is in all fairness more a reflection of how astoundingly rubbish De Sciglio is than how good Falque is, but nevertheless he's a good player in his own right.

Can't say much more than that. The ambition level we're at is basically Falque.

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 7 2015, 02:29 AM

Looks like http://www.calciomercato.com/news/milan-riprendi-saponara-subito-886813. The article suggests we should try to get him back. I would like to hope we could aim higher, but looking at our team this year it probably was a mistake to let him go ("youth strategy", right).

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 7 2015, 02:33 AM

Apparently http://www.calciomercato.com/news/milan-anche-il-liverpool-su-un-attaccante-147256. Not sure when his contract expires, but if it was up to me I would sell for decent money. Yes, he has scored lots of goals for us this year, but he is not really a team player, and I would like to think we could do better (assuming we get some money and new management, of course).

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 7 2015, 02:36 AM

Apparently, http://www.calciomercato.com/news/milan-gabigol-l-agente-si-puo-fare-773322.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 7 2015, 09:17 AM

Yes, I'd sell Menez for a decent offer. As for Saponara, he was really bad almost every time he played. Don't know what to expect out of him.

Posted by: Danny May 7 2015, 08:22 PM

I'd get rid pronto. He's another Balotelli. He will want the big payday to end his career at a marquee club.

I really can't stand him. I admit in the past I've celebrated like a little girl at some of his great goals, but where's it got us? Nowhere. We wouldn't have been relegated without him.

He can go - I'd like 15M for him please.

Posted by: Danny May 7 2015, 08:24 PM

Saponara is weak. Another one who cannot play for a big club like Milan. Does better for smaller provincial clubs but ask him to do it at San Siro and there's a mental block.

This is a major reason I believe Di Natale stayed at Udi - talented to say the least but probably always knew he'd be a Gilardino at a bigger club. Gets to be lauded as a legend and loyal, but in reality would have been underwhelming at a Juve, Milan or Inter back in the day.

Posted by: han2503 May 8 2015, 08:59 AM

We should try to squeeze a bit more out of him. That's the same amount Roma wanted for Destro

But agreed. Sell ASAP


Agreed about Di Natale as well. I remember we were heavily linked with him after we sold Sheva. I love the guy, but he's no Sheva replacement

Posted by: X-Offender May 8 2015, 10:41 AM

He made the right choice though, gotta give him that.

Posted by: Danny May 8 2015, 03:05 PM

This morning the Falcao rumour started again.

Posted by: X-Offender May 8 2015, 04:20 PM

Falcao would be great. The guy seems to have lost his way at ManU, which could possibly lower his price even further. At 29, he can still make a difference if he regains his form, which I believe is totally possible.

Posted by: nuh May 8 2015, 07:04 PM

Regarding the the rumours about Ibra...how would you feel if he joined us again?

Posted by: Danny May 8 2015, 07:40 PM

He can't regain his form because he had an ACLI. Players never come back from them. Old Falcao I'd sell my other half for, this one is on the level of Pazzo.

Posted by: Danny May 8 2015, 07:41 PM

He loves us but he'll be 87 by the time his contract expires.

Posted by: han2503 May 8 2015, 08:05 PM

I think nest season is his last with PSG, unless he renews

How old is Ibra now anyway? I would think he'd want one final big pay day before he retires, not come in to do charity work at Milan...

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 8 2015, 08:26 PM

Well, Paris did that for him.

Posted by: han2503 May 8 2015, 09:22 PM

Well he could still go on to the states and live the high life in Florida/LA/New York and still get paid big money

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 8 2015, 09:27 PM

I don't think Ibra will come back unless we change management, and from what I read Berlu is trying to work out a deal that will keep both Galliani and hid daughter in charge, even if he gives away more than 50% (and that's with both Mr. Bee and the Chinese group). Could not find the article where I read this, and I sure hope I am wrong .

As for Falcao, I think the only way we get him is if Doyen Sports is included in the deal (I believe they are associated with Mr. Bee). Not sure I would want him, though (not overly impressed of lately).

In any case, we need to fix our midfield first, IMHO (though with Ibra that may not be as critical, he is good at creating his own chances).

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 8 2015, 09:38 PM

I don't think it would be his way. It's not in his mentality to do so. But who knows.

Posted by: Danny May 8 2015, 10:31 PM

Word on Ibra is he would be willing to return but not under Silvio. In other words, under new ownership.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 8 2015, 11:17 PM

Seems far fetched to me.

Posted by: han2503 May 9 2015, 09:44 AM

That's what's been the word about other top players re our management, which just shows how Galliani has simply tarnished his own and Milan's reputation with clubs and players alike.

Posted by: Suhail 3 May 15 2015, 02:56 PM

We need a striker like Falcao or Ibrahimovic, someone who is considered World Class..

Destro, Menez and El Shaarawy aint cutting it for me...

Posted by: X-Offender May 19 2015, 05:58 PM

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 19 2015, 08:20 PM

Words. Empty words, AFAIAC. Let's see what really happens this summer.

Posted by: X-Offender May 20 2015, 10:04 AM

According to Tuttosport, we'll have a budget of €80 million to spend on new players this summer.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 20 2015, 10:21 AM

Does this mean the deal with Mr. Bee will go through?

How do you guys take Galliani's words?

Posted by: han2503 May 20 2015, 10:32 AM

I'll believe that when I see it.

Personally I think before we can even think about signing anyone we have to work our asses off at unloading all the deadweight Galliani brought in over the summer and winter


I personally think he's bullshitting us, as usual. Can't wait for the Mr. X saga to start up again.

I'd personally prefer a SMART transfer campaign rather than one where we throw money around at the wrong players, that's something we already do anyway

As for Mr. Bee, last I read, no. Nothing s set in stone yet and Silvio is courting other investors, namely ones from China

Posted by: CrazyMilanFan May 20 2015, 10:56 AM

In last 10 years we have not made three UCL finals.. Since last few years i am not hopeful at all about this summer. To be honest, if we want to target to win the league then will 80M be enough?

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 20 2015, 11:09 AM

Smart campaign? Wasn't last summer supposed to be a smart campaign? What this team needs is at least one big player who's able to perform constantly good and step up. Then we can sing the smart Montolivo's and Bonaventura's.

As for dead weight. Who do you have in mind when you say selling/releasing players? Not as many as last season I'd say.

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 20 2015, 05:15 PM

Aren't there new rules by which we absolutely need to reduce our roster? Given our (lack of) success in getting rid of dead weight, we are far more likely to end up with a team mostly built out of players we would rather not have.

Hope I am wrong, but it does not feel like we are making much progress selling the club, if we don't sell the club I don't see where we will get 80M to spend, and even if we had 80M to spend I don't trust Galliani's ability to make the right moves.

Posted by: X-Offender May 20 2015, 05:49 PM

With a pinch of salt, as always, but I think we will spend something this summer. €80 million seems too much, though, unless we plan on funding our transfers in some way.



Yes, we are required to have no more than 25 players in our roster for next season. So, a lot of players will have to leave.

Posted by: X-Offender May 20 2015, 05:50 PM

Mediaset says we have an agreement with Genoa for Bertolacci (24, CM). We also have to negotiate with Roma, though, as they hold part of his contract.

Posted by: han2503 May 20 2015, 08:13 PM

I think the question has to be; who would I keep...

We currently have a 30-man roster(!!)

De Jong and Mexes are probably out, 2 of our best players this season might I add

As for who I'd definitely want out as soon as the season end for me it's a no brainer.

Bocchetti, Bonera and Zaccardo from the defence for sure. Zapata, Rami and Paletta I don't care either way, but none are starting material, just decent back ups

Essien and Muntari are the ultra obvious ones in midfield, Van Ginkel will go back to Chelsea, as for Monto, he's a decent player, and good to have around, but certainly not someone to build round

Cerci needs to be sent back from whence he came, not good enough, far from it. Destro is a decent player, and he's sort of turned my opinion on him as a player a bit, but my first thought about him is correct, he can't be successful here with this sterile team, so unless we plan on bringing in some dynamo mids, we need to send him back. Add to that, Roma want too much for him. Same with Pazzo. Total waste here and it's obvious he's not happy sitting on the bench

So theoretically that's a definite 11 players that should be sent out. But how easy it will be to do so is another thing

I thought it was at the time (smart campaign), but it's obvious that the mish mash of players we brought in was all mostly about who was free (Menez, Alex) or available for a last minute swoop (Bonaventura) or loaned (Destro, Torres, Cerci)

And yes, we do need top quality to be better, but those signings need to be made smartly, it's not just about brining in any big name player. Which is what Galliani and Silvio both think is gloat-worthy. And usually this signing comes in attack. We spend money on strikers in each window while our midfield and defence have been left to deteriorate to the state they're in now


Agreed

Posted by: X-Offender May 21 2015, 09:50 AM

Let's not forget we also have many players out on loan or co-owned (Nocerino, Niang etc.) that we need to resolve. Galliani has a lot of work to do this summer.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 21 2015, 10:30 AM

At this point, the only thing left to do is hope and be positive.

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 21 2015, 03:26 PM

Trying real hard to refrain from commenting on why we are in this situation. Nightmare scenario is we cannot get rid of these players and that's our roster for next year.

Posted by: kurtsimonw May 22 2015, 08:14 AM

Falcao is awful. Not to mention £350k a week.

If we're going to pay big money for a top class forward, the one that makes most sense would be Cavani. We know he can do it in Serie A, he's a little unhappy in Paris with having to play out of position and the ££ rumours being thrown around aren't staggeringly high.

We need to build from the back though, I think.

Posted by: X-Offender May 22 2015, 08:46 AM

So, lots of rumors about Silvio calling Carlo and offering him the job. Bronzetti apparently met him, but Carlo needs some time to decide.

Obviously, if we're getting Carlo then it means we're willing to spend in the summer campaign.

Posted by: han2503 May 22 2015, 11:34 AM

Agreed about building from the back. Also, I don't think a striker like Cavani would make any difference as he's someone who relies on service. and unless our midfield issues are addressed, bringing in strikers is pointless


Media saying he would be given more say in transfers. Personally I'm on the fence about this, comebacks have rarely ever proven successful for us...

Posted by: X-Offender May 22 2015, 11:58 AM

All strikers rely on service, unless they're called Ibrahimovic. But Cavani is also good enough to create on his own. He's not your typical poacher.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 22 2015, 12:51 PM

Sorry, I don't think we have the luxury to think in this direction. Also, Capello's second spell ended excellent for both sides, Rocco and Liedholm also had great second spells. So it really isn't a good argument you give there.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 May 22 2015, 01:09 PM

Milan needs a lot of quality if you want it back to challenging, starting from the backline to the front.

We can name names, but we both know a proper core is the main catalyst. Hence I would rather have a fighter like Gattuso over a flashy name like Cavani. A midfielder like Seedorf than a striker like Shevchenko. We need to establish a spine first.

There are a lot of players to choose from, especially given the transfer budget allocated for this summer. And if its Carlo's Milan ... Even better!

Posted by: han2503 May 22 2015, 01:27 PM

I said rarely, and certainly never in recent history.

Obviously I regard Carlo very highly, especially if they give him creative freedom and allow him say in who comes and goes


Serious question, you really believe that we'll have a strong budget for next summer?

@ x-off. I agree about Cavani, he's certainly not a poacher, but for him to be great and deliver great numbers he needs strong support behind him and if we don't bring that in, for me, it's pointless to spend a lot on a stiker

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 22 2015, 01:48 PM

Again, your argument has no meaning. The syntax "recent history" implies the last 10-15 years, so roughly from 2000-2015. But in this period we didn't have any second spell manager. The last managers who had multiple spells at Milan were Cesare Maldini (we could argue and say he saved our cheek that season), Fabio Capello (three spells, first was good, second was even better, third was a disaster), Arrigo Sacchi (first brilliant, second very bad but it was a mid-season change from) and Niels Liedholm (first spell was solid, second he got us a title, third was bad).

So, let's be precise. If we're talking about recent history there's no real argument because we have not a single situation comparable. If we're taking Milan history overall or say the last 40 years, you'll easily find out that second spells usually went better then the first ones, while third spells went wrong.

What does all that mean? Squat. History remains history, only a possible mirror to future happenings. It's just telling us trends and fills us with interesting stats. Is this a decisively important factor? No. But it is interesting.

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 22 2015, 03:52 PM

I'll believe it when I see us actually spending that kind of money (until then, I will remain very skeptical).

Also, I fear that 80M in Galliani's hands + Berlu's direction will be wasted (one "big name" signing - probably a striker, and probably in the "has been" category) and then some rather questionable calls in the areas where we are hurting the most (like, for example, midfield).

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 22 2015, 03:55 PM

I have huge respect for Carletto, but I am not sure if he is the right man for the job, considering where he would have to start. He seems to do very well when he has a solid team to work with, but I have not seen him actually building a team out of nothing (and, sadly, that's our situation right now).

Posted by: X-Offender May 22 2015, 04:07 PM

If we're aiming to get Ancelotti, you honestly believe that he'll accept the position without reassurance of a decent signing campaign?



Agreed. And just because there might have been a trend in the past doesn't mean it's going to happen again. I'll never understand people who rely on such logic.



Ancelotti was responsible for building his own glorious Milan team. Yes, he had a solid backbone in players like Maldini, Costacurta, Gattuso, Ambrosini, Shevchenko etc. but the squad he inherited (mid-season) was quite average and struggling, and yet he managed to get us 4th, then with a few more quality signings the next season (Nesta, Seedorf, Rivaldo etc.) he won us the Champions League. And that was at his beginnings. Now he's one of the best and most experienced coaches in the world. So yeah, I think he can do the job.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 22 2015, 05:39 PM

If that doesn't suffice, think about Parma. There's a team he built out of nothing.

Posted by: X-Offender May 22 2015, 06:15 PM

I was looking at some numbers earlier, and Terhim had 4 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses before he was sacked. Compare that to the shtick we have to endure nowadays, when even our worst season since 97/98 won't get Silvio to fire Inzaghi, and it really gives you some perspective.

Posted by: han2503 May 22 2015, 08:05 PM

It seems like you're taking my once upon a time offhanded comment too seriously here

And I wasn't just talking about coaches, rather come backs in general over the past few years.

Also, comeback can mean 2nd, 3rd or 4th time, it's still a comeback

Anyway, no need to get technical about it. My point was mainly sometimes it simply does not work. And you get your hopes up because you know what this person has achieved in the past but it's even harder to swallow if the return is unsuccessful.


So sad but true

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 22 2015, 08:45 PM

In fairness I did forget about Parma, tough I would like to think that Milan has higher ambitions than Parma (but perhaps that ambition is a thing of the past). BTW, I have nothing against Parma (my sister-in-law is from Parma and a Parma fan - not to mention that Parma has some of the best food in Italy ).


Yeah, but Maldini + Costacurta + Gattuso + Ambrosini + Shevchenko is a much, much better base than what we have right now (the present lot does not compare even remotely). Plus back then we had real money to spend (at least relative to other clubs - even 80M does not go very far these days).

Posted by: Rossoneri7 May 22 2015, 10:13 PM

Well if the club was to get sold, then duh. Otherwise whats the point?

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 23 2015, 12:26 AM

Sounds like http://www.calciomercato.com/news/milan-pronta-l-offerta-a-mexes-i-dettagli-886942 (reduced salary and incentives based on "good behavior").

Posted by: X-Offender May 23 2015, 08:54 AM

Incentives based on good behavior?

Posted by: han2503 May 23 2015, 12:33 PM

well it depends.

Silvio is within his right to pocket the majority of what he gets...

And new owners like Tohir for example are mostly just loaning money to the team from what I understand it's a double edged sward.

Anyway, I think if there really is an 80m budget lying in wait I really hope any new coach we bring in has a lot of input in who we bring and it's not left solely in Galliani's hands

Posted by: X-Offender May 23 2015, 04:35 PM

Silvio said on Napoli TV today that if Madrid fire Ancelotti (which seems almost certain at this point) then he's coming to Milan. So, I guess we should say, welcome back Carlo?

Posted by: Rossoneri7 May 23 2015, 05:22 PM

Silvio wants to sell out of Milan altogether. All the push and pull in the media is to increase value, nothing more nothing less. Except new owners want him there.

And what about new owners? PSG and City have sovereign governments backing in someway. We have the Chinese govt involved in our sale, so that is something different altogether.

Then Galliani never was a problem when you had money. He is in fact an asset and it's not down to me or you, rather the new board of Milan to decide.

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 23 2015, 06:59 PM

Neah. Galliani may have been an asset a decade ago, and even back then he was overshadowed by the much maligned Moggi (who, IMHO, did much better for his club). These days he appears to be rather clueless, and I do not believe that will change if all of a sudden he has money to spend (assuming that even happens).

And yes, of course it is up to the BoD to decide, and yes, of course we have no say whatsoever (you do not need to state the obvious). And, unfortunately, the BoD will have to take into consideration various factors such as the "golden parachutes" Galliani no doubt has put in place over the years, so it may turn out to be too expensive to get rid of him (regardless of how clueless he is).

Posted by: han2503 May 23 2015, 10:42 PM

This.

Galliani has made some seriously terrible decisions over the past decade or so. Personally I wouldn't trust him with that kind of budget as he'd screw it up on random players and a big name has-been striker

@ R7. I was talking about in the event of Mr. Bee taking over instead of the Chinese, don't know if this is right but I read that with Inter and Tohir he loans the club money with interest to make signings, so in the long term he's screwing the club over. These types of "investers" only see what profits they can make from clubs.

With City and PSG it's completely different though, hopefully the Chinese investors are more like them than Tohir.

As for Galliani, we obviously will never see eye to eye on this, but I personally do not agree that he's always done well when he had money to spend

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 24 2015, 08:24 PM

http://www.football-italia.net/66871/report-milan-sign-emery? Apparently http://www.calciomercato.com/news/milan-rispunta-emery-il-ds-del-siviglia-a-cm-non-conferma-ne-sme-638529. Would be nice if true.

OTOH, http://www.calciomercato.com/news/real-ancelotti-a-breve-la-decisione-ufficiale-galliani-domani-vo-785608 says Galliani is off to Madrid to "bring back an Italian, not necessarily Ancellotti". Couple of other articles on this topic.

Love Carletto, but at this point I would prefer Emery.

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 24 2015, 08:25 PM

Yup, would prefer the Chinese investors over Mr. Bee.

Posted by: han2503 May 24 2015, 08:41 PM

Which Italians are in Madrid that are not Carlo?

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 24 2015, 08:47 PM

Yup. Typical Galliani statement.

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 24 2015, 09:16 PM

http://www.goal.com/it/news/2/serie-a/2015/05/24/12052302/milan-in-mani-straniere-berlusconi-lo-esclude-non-cedo-cerco?ICID=HP_HN_HP_RI_0_1. Hmm.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 25 2015, 10:58 AM

Cerci for one.

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 25 2015, 03:10 PM

What do y'all think about Mastalli? Is he ready for Serie A? Seemed to do OK in the 15 minutes he played yesterday, and http://www.goal.com/it/news/3785/generazione-di-fenomeni/2015/05/25/12076712/profilo-alessandro-mastalli-il-capitan-futuro-del-milan?ICID=HP_BN_3 compares his style of play with De Rossi in his early days.

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 25 2015, 03:11 PM

Considering http://www.goal.com/it/news/7/calciomercato/2015/05/25/12060282/ancelotti-spegne-il-milan-devo-operarmi-mi-fermer%C3%B2-un-anno?ICID=HP_HN_2, it may well be Cerci.

Posted by: X-Offender May 25 2015, 03:27 PM

Yeah, he looked fine.



Doubt it's Cerci. He's going for Ancelotti, one last tentative to convince him. Otherwise, I guess we'll go for Emery.

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 25 2015, 04:21 PM

But ... is he ready for a regular role in the team?

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 25 2015, 04:37 PM

Mind I say we played a team that completely and collectively gave up after conceding those goals. So Mastalli's impact cannot be assessed properly.

Posted by: X-Offender May 25 2015, 06:08 PM

Hold your horses, no-one said he's the next Pirlo, just that he looked fine for those 15 minutes he played, regardless of everything else.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 25 2015, 06:57 PM

Yes, but considering the occasion he played, it offers you hardly any insight for more then an educated guess. You see, the question was is Mastalli fit for Serie A football. Since Torino played sub-par we really cannot tell.

Posted by: han2503 May 25 2015, 08:26 PM

Totally forgot about him, considering how utterly terrible he's been for us one has to wonder why we'd even bother with him. Taraabt was 10 times better

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 25 2015, 09:04 PM

Is Cerci the issue, or is his performance related to the rest of the team? (That said, I am not impressed either.)

As for Taraabt, it looks like he played sporadically and still has "fitness problems". Sounds like he got serious motivational issues, not sure we really want him.

Posted by: kurtsimonw May 26 2015, 01:34 AM

I've obviously been outspoken against Carlo in the past, but I would bite my hand off to have him back.

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 26 2015, 02:15 AM

Apparently that is not an option. Also, if I was Ancellotti, I am not sure I would want to come back (operation or not).

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 26 2015, 02:54 AM

We are linked with http://www.calciomercato.com/news/torino-darmian-l-interesse-del-milan-fa-piacere-il-barcellona-un-209192 and http://www.football-italia.net/66914/galliani-i-mandzukic.

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 26 2015, 02:58 AM

http://www.calciomercato.com/news/sabatini-conte-al-milan-e-ancelotti-ct-azzurro-il-blitz-sognato--277936 claims Conte will take over Milan and Carletto will take over the NT.

I think this is unlikely to happen, though I really would not mind Conte. He has done wonders at Juve (starting with a team that was not much better than ours). On the down side, he has struggled in European competitions, but hopefully watching Allegri taking "his" team to the semis has taught him something.

Posted by: kurtsimonw May 26 2015, 06:33 AM

That would be very odd, Allegri at Juve with Conte at Milan.

I'd be very happy with both Darmian and Mandzukic, but can we really afford them?

Posted by: han2503 May 26 2015, 08:43 AM

Cerci has always come up short when playing for bigger sides, and he's mostly a one season wonder, let's face it. His numbers were impressive for Toro last season but he's simply not good enough

I mentioned Taraabt not because I want him back here, but simply to show how utterly bad Cerci has been throughout his stay. Trying to sign him permanently would be idiotic, but that's come to be expected from this management


Apparently he's not an option...

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 26 2015, 03:38 PM

Sounds like http://www.football-italia.net/66938/ancelotti-decision-friday ...

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 26 2015, 03:43 PM

Looks like http://www.calciomercato.com/news/beffa-milan-l-atletico-blocca-mandzukic-747943. But yes, not sure we can afford either of them.

Posted by: X-Offender May 26 2015, 08:13 PM

Carlo meeting with Galliani for dinner as I write this. Last chance to convince him.

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 26 2015, 09:34 PM

"http://www.goal.com/it/news/2/serie-a/2015/05/26/12125892/vi-immaginate-berlusconi-in-panchina-lui-s%C3%AC-potrei-allenare?ICID=HP_BN_6"

No comment.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 26 2015, 09:38 PM

I really hope we can bring Carletto back. Because realistically speaking, he's miles away from any other possible candidate.

Posted by: han2503 May 27 2015, 09:02 AM

True.

Didn't even know he had surgery, and he's still young to be getting spinal stenosis also, it must be difficult for him and could be why he wants some time off

Posted by: kurtsimonw May 27 2015, 10:54 AM

That made me laugh.

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 27 2015, 03:35 PM

http://www.goal.com/it/news/7/calciomercato/2015/05/27/12140202/calciomercato-milan-van-ginkel-temporeggia-prima-torno-al?ICID=HP_TS_10. Also includes some comments from Bonaventura.

Apparently, we are http://www.goal.com/it/news/7/calciomercato/2015/05/27/12137862/fattore-mario-per-il-milan-assalto-rossonero-a-mandzukic-e?ICID=HP_TS_7.

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 27 2015, 03:38 PM

Made me cry . I know much of what Berlu says is carefully crafted to improve his image in Italy, but I have a feeling he actually believes this.

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 27 2015, 03:42 PM

http://www.football-italia.net/66986/berlusconi-%E2%80%98ancelotti-hopefully%E2%80%A6%E2%80%99. http://www.calciomercato.com/news/ancelotti-live-oggi-la-decisione-milan-pronti-120-milioni-per-il-363371. And apparently, if he joins he will get a http://www.football-italia.net/66978/%E2%82%AC120m-ancelotti%E2%80%99s-milan.

Posted by: Forza Milan! May 27 2015, 03:44 PM

Looks like we are http://www.calciomercato.com/news/inter-keen-on-kondogbia-ac-milan-update-on-ancelotti-464955.

Posted by: han2503 May 27 2015, 03:56 PM

Isn't he with us on loan? Why would we need to try to unload him?

And these rumours are making me cackle. Suarez, Mandzukic...

What's sad though is that once again, we're being linked with strikers only when our problems lie so much deeper than that. Galliani and Silvio at their best right there