[X-Offender]

I brought Ambro up for that same reason, they're very similar. And Ambro was a fairly decent captain, so I don't see why De Jong can't be too.

[Danny]

De Jong has led us on the pitch the past 24 months anyway. Being given the armband is as much a formality as it is deserved.

[Fillipo Simone]

Lead us where exactly?

[X-Offender]

Lead us where exactly?

On the pitch.

[Danny]

Lead us where exactly?

Stop being unreasonable. He's our best candidate for captaincy by a mile and has proven that.

[Fillipo Simone]

I'm not being unreasonable. It's just that "being the best" out of this squad or "leading us on the pitch" for the last two disastrous seasons means little. I don't think he's captain material, but probably he's the best out of all the other bad choices.

[X-Offender]

I see no reason why he's not captain material. Contrary to popular belief, he's not a hothead nor a dirty player. He's a rough player, but that's another matter entirely. And at this age, he's matured enough to deserve the armband. What else should he demonstrate to make you think so? He's a holding mid, a destroyer, and he's probably the only one who's done his job in the last couple of years in this club.

[Fillipo Simone]

I think he is a dirty player and a hothead, but I do respect him. I also think you guys overrate him massively because he's very limited and maybe a gem for squads loaded with spectacular players (Holland). But anyway, it's just my opinion, a minority one.

[han2503]

I think he is a dirty player and a hothead, but I do respect him. I also think you guys overrate him massively because he's very limited and maybe a gem for squads loaded with spectacular players (Holland). But anyway, it's just my opinion, a minority one.

I sort of agree with you

I've always said that because we do have De Jong as our anchor, the mids at his side should provide a certain level of technical quality/creativity to our midfield

It's why we look so terrible when you lump in a Poli, Muntari, Essien, heck even Bonaventura or Monto next to him

De Jong is a great DM imo, but he's just that, a one dimensional player, and it's why it was so important for us to bring in some much needed quality to play next to him and where we failed so miserably

It's why I still insist that even though Witsel would be a great buy, we need a proper creative CM more

[milanbuf88]

I think he is a dirty player and a hothead, but I do respect him. I also think you guys overrate him massively because he's very limited and maybe a gem for squads loaded with spectacular players (Holland). But anyway, it's just my opinion, a minority one.

I know that karate kick in the WC looms large and casts a shadow on his career but can you think of a single instance when he was really a hot head or dirty while wearing our shirt? He's a rough player and a heavy tackler but I've never seen him doing anything that was out right dirty while playing for us. This is a bit off topic but I can think of a number of things that Pirlo has done, a player whose "dirtiness" is rarely aknowledged, during that same stretch of time.

[X-Offender]

We don't overrate him. Yes, his job is very limited. Just win the ball and pass it to the next guy, but he does his job excellently. Can't say the same for the rest of his teammates.

[Fillipo Simone]

Pirlo? He behaved childish and dirty, I won't ever forget his elbowing and dirty fouls on our team in the first season he left us.

Just like van Bommel, de Jong seems to be constrained here with Milan. But well, a pitbull like him, he has to be dirty from time to time.

[Danny]

Amazing the cult-esque love Pirlo gets even from the majority of Milan supporters, and none of it is merited.

He's a little sh*t tbh, thoroughly over-rated, and the fact he spent his last three years with us in such mediocre form then basically produced the best of his career at Juve (which was over rated too, stats comparing him with Xavi or Iniesta at Euro 2012 saw the Barca fellas (to name but two) miles out ahead) really annoyed me.

And f*ck sake Andrea, we made you a multimillionaire, did you want a complimentary mansion as a send off present you ungrateful sh*t?

PS: no one, and I mean NO ONE has made any comment about him badmouthing Juve since he left them.

He's an absolute w*nk and I can't stand him.

[Danny]

We don't overrate him. Yes, his job is very limited. Just win the ball and pass it to the next guy, but he does his job excellently. Can't say the same for the rest of his teammates.

Back on topic, rant over - Nigel de Jong is one of the best DMs on earth and easily the best in Serie A. I also don't think his creativity gets remotely enough credit. Ok we're not talking trequartisa level, but he really does have an eye for a pass now and then and gets forward more than many acknowledge.

He's probably one of the very few in the past few years to actually be genuine Milan class.

[han2503]

Back on topic, rant over - Nigel de Jong is one of the best DMs on earth and easily the best in Serie A. I also don't think his creativity gets remotely enough credit. Ok we're not talking trequartisa level, but he really does have an eye for a pass now and then and gets forward more than many acknowledge.

He's probably one of the very few in the past few years to actually be genuine Milan class.

I think you overrate him slightly, no doubt he's been our best player for quite some time now (Bacca will most likely put an end to that run though). But De Jong isn't even the best in the league in his position.

And this is really the only Milan forum where he is endlessly praised (me being someone who's also culpable in that). The slag he gets in other forums because he's mostly a sideways/backwards passer is endless, he's oalso constantly slagged for his positioniong.

I personally don't agree with the positioning part, but the passing bit is true, but I accept that because in essance what he is is a pure DM. He's one dimensional, he's great at recovering and making the simple pass, probably one of the best around at that. But overall as a DM, compared to other more modern DMs Nigel has limitations. It's why we should have more dynmic/smart/creative players next to him who can pick the ball up from him and make things happen, and currently we don't have that

Also, you were most likely right about the captaincy. The Monto-Miha apparent bad blood from their past days at Fiorentina will most likely mean that Monto will be on the bench for the majority of next season (we should sell him tbh, and mid-level club would be happy to have him)