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Posted by: Jack Bauer Aug 31 2012, 07:31 PM

A Change Is Gonna Come?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbO2_077ixs

Posted by: Zed.D Aug 31 2012, 07:32 PM

In a winter transfer window???

Posted by: Jack Bauer Aug 31 2012, 07:35 PM

You never know. We did bring Van Bommel in winter and he had big influence for our scudetto.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Aug 31 2012, 07:54 PM

I don't know. We're broke, the best we can do is bring back Ricky on loan.

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Sep 1 2012, 02:38 PM

According to TuttoSport, Yanga Mbiwa could join Milan in January. Milan will not offer more than 5m for him.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 1 2012, 03:25 PM

And he isn't worth more IMO.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 1 2012, 04:13 PM

SILVIO OUT.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 1 2012, 10:34 PM

Yes totally. kurt's got about 15 people following him on twitter who have the cash to invest so Milan can make Manchester City look like third world Africa.

It's too early to say who I want. Modric is a player I've always liked but that train has left the station. Would like a creative player who plays in the last one-third of the field, but at the same time is good defensively. Basically a Lampard type.

I still like Anderson from Man Utd. I've seen him in Benfica and think he could really be good for us. But that's not gonna happen.

So at the moment, I guess it will be a retry for KAka, and then perhaps depending on injuries- someone or the other.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 1 2012, 10:36 PM

I like Diamanti.

Posted by: CHU-LIP Sep 1 2012, 10:39 PM

I don't

overrated I say

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 1 2012, 11:13 PM

Overrated but okay for a club like Bologna. Serie A had few decades back tons of these talented players who can always surprise you. Doni, Nervo and Morfeo to name a few.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 1 2012, 11:22 PM

Maybe you're right. I suppose at West Ham and Bologna where the team runs through him, he gets a lot more chances to look good. At Milan where he's just part of a team and not a star he probably won't stand out in any way.

Posted by: CHU-LIP Sep 1 2012, 11:33 PM

I think so.

He often makes bad dribbles(maybe not dribbles, but I surely mean ball touches), passes, and so... he looks good compared to his teammates.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 1 2012, 11:54 PM

I hate Diamanti. One of the most egoistic players I've seen. Rarely passes, no teamwork whatsoever, only cares about personal glory. And on top of that, he's overrated too.

Posted by: KillerMax Sep 3 2012, 11:08 AM

I used to like Stefano Fiore.

Posted by: rip Sep 3 2012, 11:33 AM

let the wishful thinking begin

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 3 2012, 01:05 PM

Posted by: dst Sep 3 2012, 01:23 PM

I bet Galliani is thinking: "what would Pazzini do?"

Posted by: KillerMax Sep 3 2012, 01:37 PM

Just saying as long as we are talking about Italian creative type players. You mentioned a couple from the past, reminded me of Fiore.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 3 2012, 02:04 PM

Oh that! Sure, Fiore is yet another good example.

Posted by: Bluesummers Sep 3 2012, 11:26 PM

zenit just splashed 80m to sign hulk and witsel. Our group just got a hell of a lot tougher.

Posted by: William405 Sep 3 2012, 11:27 PM

Meh..I don't rate both of them

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 4 2012, 12:04 AM

Neither of them are worth that much. Zenit could have invested those money better.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 4 2012, 12:37 AM

Who cares, let them! It's not that their money source will drain in near future.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 4 2012, 09:05 AM

You really think a good forward and a decent DM change all that much in our group?

Hulk is good, not worth anywhere near 60m or whatever reported price they paid for him, and Witsel is a decent midfielder. We have those by the bucket load.

Posted by: arivanjj Sep 4 2012, 02:34 PM

WEIRD. i was listening to that song a couple of days ago on youtube!

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Sep 4 2012, 02:44 PM

Exactly. They could have bought Ibra and Silva from us.

Posted by: TheOgre Sep 4 2012, 02:52 PM

Talks everywhere od Ronaldo being unhappy at Madrid, maybe a berlu Christmas present??

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 4 2012, 02:55 PM

If we can offer €120 million to Madrid, cause that's the amount City are ready spend for him.

http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/mercato/mercato/articoli/88845/city-disposto-a-far-follie-per-cr7.shtml

Posted by: acid911 Sep 4 2012, 03:08 PM

Eh, how long before we see €1 billion transfer fees/clauses for players?! Quick, somebody kill me!

Posted by: dst Sep 4 2012, 03:18 PM

I don't have a problem with these price tags. I mean those guys bring that money back we cannot compare with how things were even 10 years ago.

Posted by: Zed.D Sep 4 2012, 05:00 PM

Um... that's already Ronaldo's buyout clause. yes, 1 billion.

Posted by: acid911 Sep 4 2012, 05:14 PM

Interesting. 1 billion, you say!

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 4 2012, 05:18 PM

It's funny how 10-15 years ago, the economy was stable and prices in football were low. Now that countries are on the verge of collapse, we have insane amounts governing the football world. Talk about paradox.

Posted by: Zed.D Sep 4 2012, 06:45 PM

Interesting point.

Posted by: Bluesummers Sep 5 2012, 08:14 AM

Its a stupid system and it'll cause european football to die. It'll get to the point where paying your interest payments alone won't be good enough and when the banks start recalling their loans is when these clubs will begin collapsing.

I'll say La Liga goes first with Barca and Madrid struggling.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 5 2012, 08:34 AM

Madrid struggle, lol.

They smashed the World transfer record twice in 1 transfer window. They made a profit that financial year.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 5 2012, 08:41 AM

If I pay 100 million for Cristiano Ronaldo, but agree to pay it at 10 million for the next 10 years, all my expenses are is at 10 million right??

As long as they can make the interest payments it's all fine. Banks generally don't like to recall loans, since it leaves a very bad impression on a bank's workings.

But the next few seasons will be interesting. Barca and Real had very quiet windows this season (relatively). The wage problem is going to hit them soon.

Posted by: Bluesummers Sep 5 2012, 08:57 AM

You cant keep riding the gravy train forever. It will have to stop at some point.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 5 2012, 10:30 AM

Surely the introduction of the Euro-currency did more damage than good, one can argue. It allowed countries like Greece, Spain, etc to borrow at the same low-rate that Germany (being the benchmark) would borrow at.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 5 2012, 10:34 AM

That's not what their account showed. It showed around 200m on transfer purchases (Kaka', Ronaldo + others), yet their overall numbers were still a profit. So even if they agreed to pay out the full transfer on the day, they'd make money overall.

If they did wat you said above (even if it's not shown that way in the accounts) there's even less chance FFP will have any impact on Madrid.

As for wages, they spent 200m on transfer in 1 summer and made money. Even if they spent 100m on transfers every year, their wages would have to increase 100m just to reach the crazy figure they paid to get Kaka'/Ronaldo. FFP isn't even on Madrid's radar.

Posted by: dst Sep 5 2012, 12:18 PM

That's too superficial I'd say. The problem is not the currency itself, the problem is that no side have kept their promises. Greece and Spain have problems but France have too. And it's not because they borrow at that rate. It's because Germany have kept inflation under 2%, which was the minimum agreed upon when Eurozone was founded and as a result increased their competitiveness against everybody as they increased their surplus against everyone else's deficits. But well, this is the Winter Transfers thread.

Posted by: m1ke Sep 5 2012, 02:31 PM

Interesting read I thought - http://blog.emiratesstadium.info/archives/21560

Posted by: Zed.D Sep 5 2012, 03:34 PM

^^ Good news

Posted by: KillerMax Sep 5 2012, 05:36 PM

Maybe our management is doing the sensible thing after all and looking out for the club in the long run. And before everyone comes at me with the senators and their hefty contracts argument etc etc... Look, no one predicted this economical downfall, or at least no one took it that seriously before it started to really hit big western nations left and right. Hell, some people still are not taking it seriously. So again, maybe the management is doing the sensible thing here and getting rid of Ibra and Silva will finally seem beneficial to the club as the $hit starts to hit the fan everywhere.

Posted by: Zed.D Sep 6 2012, 09:20 AM

I suppose so.

But we'll see who will have the last laugh. Galliani's and Milan's of this world or Real Madrid's/PSG's/Man City's/etc.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 6 2012, 11:10 AM

Great find m1ke



Well well

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 6 2012, 03:51 PM

I don't think the result will go in favor of only one side. PSG might win something but lose in the end. Milan on the other hand may experience seasons without winning big titles but still remain on top and "solvent".

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 6 2012, 06:10 PM

I personally think we will be a better positioned club by 2015.

Something I have been contemplating recently; Roma, Lazio, Udinese, Palermo, Napoli .. All teams who all can hold their weight against the 'experienced' Milan, wonder if that gives them an advantage against us considering our first team in the 2012/2013 season. Do they finaly have an advantage against us? Especially if you factor in the minimum aim set for Allegri, 3rd place. This will definitly be a very competitive year for Serie A, with probably only Juventus and Napoli in contention for 1st place.

But that is only normal, as through tough times you start to build a strong core to the team. Inshalla. Question is, how long will it take..

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 6 2012, 09:19 PM

I hope the CL will affect Juve's performances. In fact I believe it will. Unless of course they get kicked out early.

I don't count on Roma to challenge, but I do count on them to take points off our rivals and possibly us. I was a little irritated with Allegri coming out and saying we're only gonna get 3rd. He should just have said nothing.

My feeling is, if we can stay 'relatively' injury-free we can stick to the top till December. Probably by then we will know where to strengthen seriously.for eg...seeing Antonini's performance and De Sciglio, I don't see LB as a top priority anymore esp since we're not caring much for the CL. Instead Cassano leaving and El Sharaawy taking a bit longer to make the step up, I would think an SS/AM is important.

Comes back to that damn Brazilian choir boy again doesn't it?!

I'm hopeful Galliani will make some more shrewd moves in the winter window, just like we did the year we won the scudetto.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 10 2012, 02:24 PM

Llorente for free next summer?

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 10 2012, 02:38 PM

Doesn't make sense. Why would they let him go for free. And if they do, almost every other club can offer him better wages than we can.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 10 2012, 03:08 PM

Well they won't have much choice in the matter, he's out of contract.

Posted by: dst Sep 10 2012, 03:10 PM

We can offer him one month free of criticism on milanfan and...

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 10 2012, 03:11 PM

Nope. Sorry. That girl is sacred. She is our Vestal Virgin, our Joan of Arc.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 10 2012, 03:22 PM

Virgin like Paris Hilton?

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 10 2012, 06:02 PM

Posted by: William405 Sep 10 2012, 07:39 PM

XD

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Sep 11 2012, 01:57 AM

(x10)

Posted by: BVR Sep 13 2012, 05:43 PM

I am sure Pato took care of that by now.

Posted by: TheOgre Sep 13 2012, 07:17 PM

Good news
http://football-italia.net/24997/milan-line-strootman-bid

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 13 2012, 07:45 PM

Hmh, out of the blue. And I thought we can archive Strootman along with the others - Ganso, Eriksen, etc. Seems yet another long line of Strootman slogans forthcoming.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 13 2012, 07:51 PM

It's just a report, it could be completely true or completely false. Not really going to get my hopes up for this one to happen

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 13 2012, 07:52 PM

Naah, I never meant it's something concrete. Only that now Strootman will once again start to appear in all those "Milan reinforcement" projections, just like this summer.

Posted by: Dracoris Sep 14 2012, 01:51 AM

Why do we want him? We got "Italy's best transfer" in De Jong!!

Posted by: BVR Sep 14 2012, 02:10 PM

It seems that Ganso is on his way out of Santos finally after having coins thrown at him and called mercenary. He is probably going to either Cruzero or Sao Paulo, the release clause for domestic transfer is much lower. Who knows maybe in January we can get him if the new clause isn't insane.

Posted by: acid911 Sep 14 2012, 02:43 PM

Why do we want him? We got "Italy's best transfer" in De Jong!!

Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 14 2012, 02:45 PM

YOU JUST COPIED WHAT DRACORIS SAID!

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 14 2012, 02:48 PM

Posted by: CHU-LIP Sep 14 2012, 02:53 PM

I don't know, maybe Traoré and Flamini aint so good, and Ambrosini won't last forever.

Posted by: acid911 Sep 14 2012, 03:32 PM

Yup. I did that on purpose. Galliani has a terribly knack of over-exaggerating things. De Jong is good, and may even be the best incoming player in Serie A this year (though for me that's debatable), but my point is it's pretty much futile to expect transfers that fans want. At least for the near future.

We are, and could very well be stuck with no-name or has-been players, unless something big changes!

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 14 2012, 03:38 PM

What should change is players becoming more affordable - thats the big change to be expected

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Sep 15 2012, 07:11 PM

Dream on - Like that's going to happen!

Posted by: maldini03 Sep 19 2012, 01:34 AM

I think we need serious additions in Jan. I say make Rossi a top priority, and if Allegri is gone begin to build the team in the image of the next coach

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 19 2012, 01:44 AM

Stop it there. We don't have the money.

Posted by: maldini03 Sep 19 2012, 04:27 AM

Well one can dream right... hasn't stopped us in the past... Cough cough.. Fab, Dzeko, Kaka Cough cough...

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 19 2012, 01:20 PM

Sure, but dreams are so far from our reality right now.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 19 2012, 01:39 PM

Yup.

But we could be in the loop for that defender from France, and probably strengthen some other areas.

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 26 2012, 01:02 AM

Carlo Mazzone, Guardiola's coach during his spell at Brescia, reveals: "One day he called me and told me he'd visit me soon. I asked him 'as a tourist or as a Serie A coach'? He told me 'both'. I believe that next year he'll be training either Milan or Inter".

http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/milan/?action=read&idnet=bWlsYW5uZXdzLml0LTkxOTU4

Interesting...

Posted by: acid911 Sep 26 2012, 01:08 AM

Quite. At this point in time, I wouldn't say Inter. Guardiola seems to have that special respect for Maldini, for Milan, and well I wouldn't be surprised if there were some preliminary discussions between us and him. Anyway, wherever he goes, I suspect the management of that club will make some splash signings. They'd have to.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 26 2012, 08:06 AM

Well, I really cannot predict our signing policy. But splashing money seems rather unlike.

Posted by: acid911 Sep 26 2012, 09:12 AM

But then bringing in a big-name coach, in my opinion, is even more unlikely. It's either the start of a new project (even with young but talented names), or no famous/experienced coach worth his salt will take up the job. It'll be a waste of their talents, trying to - and probably failing - to earn gold with our current crop of players.

Talent which could be put to much better use at other clubs or weaker leagues (if the money is good).

Posted by: Babis911 Sep 26 2012, 01:51 PM

I dont think we can fill Guardiola's conditions as a club right now. And by conditions i mean salary+transfers! The guy isn't gonna come to play with Mesbah for LB and Pato 1 week in and 6 out...

Posted by: KillerMax Sep 26 2012, 02:36 PM

That's the block I see too. But many thing can change.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 26 2012, 03:07 PM

And that's why Allegri didn't get the ax. Berlu would have done it sooner if this wasn't the case.

Posted by: acid911 Sep 26 2012, 03:20 PM

Agreed. He may yet do it, but first he'd have a rope in a new animal first. A big name coach would have to be very desperate to come here (in this situation, that is), and well let's just say these are not desperate times. If Allegri does go, it'll be another low-key coach that takes his place, this much I am sure.

That is unless some things get a shake up in Milan, mostly the team and medical staff. Top coaches look for projects, new ones preferably. They very rarely look to play a hero in a stale, sinking or wrecked ship.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Sep 26 2012, 08:51 PM

I disagree. Even with the recent changes, Milan still has a competitive squad and a solid reputation. That counts for something. Arguably, the financial restructuring is the basis for a "project". May not be enough to attract a top name established coach (though Rafa already offered his services), but there are good coaches that would look at Milan as a ”step up" in their career. Think of someone like Guidolin, Montella, Gasperini, just to name a few (and yes, these guys already have jobs, but I am sure there are others I am not aware of).

I am am not normally someone that looks at the coach as the person to blame. However, the team today is in a rut and playing well below their potential (on paper we are not worse than Samp, Atalanta, or even Udinese). So something needs to change, and I believe that will not happen with Allegri (too inflexible, relationship with players is not strong enough to inspire the team).

Posted by: acid911 Sep 27 2012, 02:17 AM

Well, that are just the guys I had in mind in my post above. These aren't top guys, and well that's exactly what we may have to do with at this point in time. These or any other Serie A coaches. Which may be a good thing in the end, but really the biggest names will not touch this Milan, unless we have a truck full of $$$.


Agreed. Allegri practically lost it all after the departure of Silva and Ibra. These were the two guys he had a good relationship with, and for all intents and purposes these two were half the team. Allegri has had problems with seniors (most of which are gone), and established players (like Mexes, Pato, and more).

The only groups he seems to be at peace with are youngsters (El Shaarawy, De Sciglio) and duds.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 28 2012, 01:32 PM

We need something like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iF45GFsFKCk in our mid-field. If nothing else the music in that video is groovy.

Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2012, 01:48 PM

The problem is we were never even after someone like him. Juve were the only interested big club in Italy, which is ironic considering the options they have in midfield

Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2012, 02:49 PM

Well, he actually stated a few days ago that he had refused to sign for the Primavera Milan when he was younger because he didn't feel like moving at such a young age.




Pulp Fiction closing theme.

Posted by: Bluesummers Oct 2 2012, 10:20 AM

NEWS:

Maldini or Giuseppe Biesuz might be our new CEO as Galliani may take a job offered by the FIGC


Robinho will be sold in January to Santos. Rafael might come as part of the deal


Yarmelenko is our top target as he's a free transfer next summer.


We have pressed Guardiola's agent hard to begin negotations for next year. Guardiola has agreed to meet and discuss things in december



We are interested in Yann Sommer of Basel (GK). It looks like this will be Abbiati's last season with us.


Ferguson wants Sharaawy but Galliani has said hes' not for sale. Valuation 25m.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Oct 2 2012, 11:50 AM

I do hope Galliani does leave. He has done a splendid job thus far. A lot of criticism was (and remains) directed towards him for taking down the club, I hope that his departure does not cause a void in terms of running the club. As whoever replaces him will face a challenging task to emulate his predecessor.

Posted by: han2503 Oct 2 2012, 11:57 AM

Galliani might have done some really great things for this club, but he's also made some huge mistakes. The biggest one of all is making decisions with his heart instead of using his head

I hope that when it is time for his replacement the person coming in won't let such things cloud his judgement, that's why I think someone like Maldini wouldn't be ideal for the CEO job, there are many areas in which Maldini can be given a job, and imo, it's blasphemy that he hasn't been offered a position with the club yet.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Oct 2 2012, 12:52 PM

Well, then you too are making decisions with your heart when you refer to Maldini not appointed a job yet as blasphemous

On a serious note. Let us put this renewal of old players case to rest please ... As we all know Milan couldn't/cant afford players, especially with demand from EPL teams, the Spanish giants and the Bundesliga offering better terms to 'insert player name' in comparison to us. The renewal of old players was fueled by sentiments (I wholeheartedly agree), but there is more to that story. More in the sense that we do not know, nor foresee the club's policy. We can not go on and point fingers at the man without knowing the full story. To keep fueling assumptions based on bias against Galliani is just not right.

I say this from a moral and ethical stand point and not for my backing of the management team that has made this club the success it has achieved to date.

Posted by: han2503 Oct 2 2012, 01:04 PM

His mistakes aren't just tied to the contract renewals. I can make a 5 page list of mistakes that he's made, specifically from 2005 onwards.

Like I said, the man did some great things for Milan thanks to the backing from Silvio, but he's also made some terrible mistakes along the way, mistakes which are partly to blame for where we currently find ourselves.

The past is the past, but the future is bleak for us. Don't say it's a rebuilding project, because this is not what that is. And don't compare us to Juve because their rebuilding project came from massive funding by the Agnelli family.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 3 2012, 12:08 AM

Actually, I don't think it was his mistake, not his biggest at least. The whole big contracts thing only partially prevented the teams development.

And I think Maldini would be the right guy. We need heart as well if we're gonna be Milan again - the famous winning Milan with charm and heart. Galliani may got caught in the moment for a while, but actually I think he's a good combination of heart and reason, in a overall assesment.


Yes, we're incomparable with FIAT/Agnelli, because they're a brand holding a grunge on Italy's industry a century or so. But this is a rebuild. What should it be if not a rebuilding scheme?

But anyway, how reliable is that Galliani story?

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 3 2012, 12:17 AM

You know what I'd like? Guardiola with Baggio as his second.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 3 2012, 07:25 AM

Why Baggio? You mean because of the Brescia connection?

Posted by: han2503 Oct 3 2012, 09:21 AM

Hindering the development isn't even the biggest consequence of those contracts. The big money that was spent on them was the big mistake, I would have had no problem keeping all those players for the years they were kept, but certainly not at 4m a piece which was what most of them were earning

For me it's a clearance sale not a rebuild

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 3 2012, 02:08 PM

Yep.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 3 2012, 11:12 PM

I don't know. Even with the spared money, everything would be more-less the same. Look at us now - all we did is get rid of those big contracts, but in return - nothing?

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Oct 4 2012, 10:57 PM

Montolivo

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 9 2012, 01:19 PM

There are recurring rumors about us wanting Guardiola for next season, and we're ready to hand him a young and quality team. My "dream" would be signing Yanga-Mbwia this Winter, then sell Robinho and Boateng and with the money sign Criscito and Mkhitaryan (whom I think can become a world class player in a big club) next summer. Imagine this team:

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Oct 9 2012, 02:08 PM

Do not forget that Guardiola can be as much a stubborn *** as Allegri. It's just that he has the titles to match. In any case:

I don't think Guardiola is good enough a coach to win with the players we have. At the same time, I'm not sure he will be interested in a team-building project. Especially with the kind of pressure the Italian media puts.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Oct 9 2012, 03:30 PM

Where in England?

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Oct 9 2012, 03:37 PM

United most probably. Or Arsenal or Chelsea or any of the big four. He can't coach anywhere except Barca in Spain...and Germany would be too small a pond.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 9 2012, 04:29 PM

Well, from what I've seen, Yanga isn't worth the trouble. As for Mkhitaryan, I think we'll sign Iarmolenko.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Oct 9 2012, 04:40 PM

Yarmolenko is not an AM though, he's winger/second striker.

Posted by: maldini03 Oct 9 2012, 05:08 PM

Never heard of this Mkhitaryan fellow. Are we linked? I say make a move for Rossi, Yarmolenko, and Yanga. I also believe that De Sciglio could be something special so I'm all for letting him play out the season as our starting LB, fighting with Antoninni. So a no to Criscito for me. Has anyone been keeping tabs on Ganso, because if we decide to cash in on the Prince we may as well get a playmaker, and with Robinho linked to Santos it seems feesable.

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 9 2012, 05:11 PM

Well, I don't know much about Yanga to be honest. Just threw him in there because we've been linked with him, and I thought he was supposed to be good. Mkhitaryan, on the other hand, is just awesome. I saw Shakhtar's game against Juventus, and even though most people were drooling over their number 10 Willian, Mkhitaryan is the guy that really impressed me. He made the most difficult things look so simple. Great vision, agility, speed, good shot. IMO he'll be the new Kaká. There would be no point in us signing Yarmolenko as we already have El Shaarawy, unless we want to play a pure 4-3-3. But right now I think we need a quality trequartista than anything else.

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 9 2012, 06:21 PM

According to El Mundo Deportivo, we've offered to Guardiola a contract of €6 million per season for next year. La Repubblica today also mentions that his staff will include Baggio and Maldini.

http://www.milannews.it/?action=read&idnotizia=93237

Posted by: Zed.D Oct 9 2012, 06:32 PM

Guardiola-Maldini-Baggio

That sounds too good. some journalist just got bored, methinks.

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 9 2012, 07:03 PM

Why? I think it's very possible.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Oct 9 2012, 07:27 PM

He won't come without a promise for a certain amount from our budget for transfers. Certainly higher than we have been spending recently. Can we provide that?

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 9 2012, 07:50 PM

If we sell Robinho and Boateng, and if some investors come in - why not? And only Berlusconi knows how close Milan actually is to some investors.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Oct 9 2012, 08:02 PM

It's a big if about the investors. I'll believe it when I see it.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 9 2012, 08:39 PM

Well, the business world is a different pair of shoes. You may never even hear about it, but it still can be happening.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Oct 9 2012, 08:58 PM

A new investor would find a better ROE investing in an EPL team, heck a Championship team than in Italy.

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 9 2012, 09:06 PM

They have to invest with their heart.

Anyway, according to Tz-online.de, Bayern are ready to offer €23 million for Boateng.

http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/milan/?action=read&idnet=bWlsYW5uZXdzLml0LTkzMjQ0

If it's true, we'd be foolish not to accept. With those money we can sign a proper, quality trequartista no problem.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 9 2012, 09:25 PM

Boateng? What good could he bring to Bayern? I really don't see why they'd go for him.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Oct 9 2012, 09:25 PM

Hah, then your talking about Berlusconi

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 9 2012, 09:33 PM

Yes, Berlusconi and his big, huge, immense heart.

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Oct 9 2012, 09:44 PM

Milan President Silvio Berlusconi ready to offer Pep Guardiola 6 million per year to coach the Rossoneri.

Source: beIN Sport

Posted by: han2503 Oct 9 2012, 10:42 PM

I don't get how we could ever afford Pep, or the team he would inevitably demand from the management. Such a move would make the sale of Silva pointless.

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 10 2012, 12:15 AM

Berlusconi is literally in love Guardiola, so maybe he's willing to make that sacrifice. Anyway, we're talking about next season, cause Guardiola has confirmed he won't train for this season.

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 10 2012, 12:21 AM

Allegri, last call. The Milan coach must not lose on 20 October against Lazio, otherwise he will be sacked. Tassotti to take his place. For next year Guardiola has been contacted, but an investment of €80 million is needed.

Posted by: han2503 Oct 10 2012, 09:19 AM

Still, it's not just about bringing Guardiola but also about providing him with the players he personally requests

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Oct 10 2012, 09:24 AM

Guardiola's style will not suit Italy or Milan. Well..okay..I mean the Barcelona style. You saw how hard pressed Barca were to break down our defence last year. Yes..it was a stronger team than now...but we're talking about one of the strongest teams in Italy going against one of the strongest teams every assembled and holding fast.

So can Pep really change the way he coaches? Can he adjust to Silvio 'wanting' 4 defenders and 3 attackers?? I dunno. Pep's Barca cannot and will not be the same as Pep's Milan. If he tried to enforce that blueprint he would fail.

And 80 million?? No way. Give us a stadium instead. At least that's not FFP deductible.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 10 2012, 10:33 AM

I think Pep understands football in Italy. He played for Brescia and allover has a Italian connection. I don't think he'll do a "Luis Enrique" and pretend he's in Barcelona playing against Almeria.

As a proto-Xavi/Pirlo type of player I think he understands the concept of midfield and the team as a defending and attacking unit. This surely will present a improvement.

Posted by: han2503 Oct 10 2012, 10:41 AM

Atm, ANYTHING is an improvement over the noob that is coaching us. Even Tasso would do a better job

Posted by: acid911 Oct 10 2012, 07:03 PM

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 11 2012, 12:27 AM

According to Gazzetta's tomorrow edition (front page, main article), Berlusconi has decided to launch an assault to Guardiola. He's ordered Galliani to fly to New York (where Guardiola is currently with his family) and convince him to accept our bench. This is part of a long-term project that includes important investments in players as well.

http://www.milannews.it/?action=read&idnotizia=93341

Hm...

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Oct 11 2012, 07:11 AM

Guardiola will not transform us into Barcelona. Even if we purchased the players he needs. Barcelona's 4-3-3 is taught from grass-roots to the senior level. It was a work in progress for over a decade and it finally paid off for them. The same will not happen at Milan.

Nevertheless, he has the credentials and trophies to back a bid in taking the bench at Milan. I would consider him a prime candidate and welcome him.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 11 2012, 08:07 AM

Right

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Oct 11 2012, 08:38 AM

Exactly. I would be happy with him taking part in the grass roots program. But then that means keeping success away for another 5 years.

Why would a record breaking coach want to do that?? He can easily do just like Mourinho and constantly only switch to clubs which can challenge for trophies from the word go.

And why is Berlusconi alright with investing in players for Guardiola and not Allegri? Is it purely because of playing style?

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Oct 11 2012, 09:01 AM

Not really, it is clearly the fact Milan is under construction now (in an effort to create a fortress financial position), by the next transfer windows we will gradually see investments in the club. Allegri's problem is wrong-timing.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 11 2012, 09:03 AM

You really think? I'd say lack of competence primarily.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Oct 11 2012, 09:11 AM

Leonardo and Allegri are/were clearly scapegoats. Allegri's success of the past 24 months has given Berlusconi more time to waste.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Oct 11 2012, 09:17 AM

Well, we had to conform to a cumulative loss of 45MM over three years starting from 2012. Noting that we average 60MM loss per annum due in most part to wages consuming 90% of our Revenue. We had to reduce our wages by strictly enforcing a wage-cap. The same is the primary reason why players prefer to go to the EPL than Serie A.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Oct 15 2012, 05:56 PM

Milan are keeping an eye on Cameroon and Marseille stopper Nicolas N’Koulou, the Italian giants have confirmed.

“He is a player who we have been monitoring since he was with Monaco,” Diavolo director Ariedo Braida told La Provence.

“At the minute, we already have six players in his role and therefore he is not at the top of our list. It’s also not that easy to sign players anymore because of asking prices.

“It would be difficult to sign him during the January transfer window, but we’ll continue to watch him to understand whether he could do a good job for us in the future.”

N’Koulou, 22, signed a four-year contract with his current club after leaving Monaco in June 2011.

http://www.football-italia.net/26162/milan-admit-n%E2%80%99koulou-interest

Posted by: CHU-LIP Oct 15 2012, 06:39 PM

Yepes, Mexes, Bonera, Zapata, Acerbi and...?

Posted by: Jack Bauer Oct 15 2012, 06:57 PM

Yeah, Braida is a little senile there.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 15 2012, 07:44 PM

Maybe he's counting de Jong as well?

Posted by: Jack Bauer Oct 15 2012, 07:48 PM

Why would he? Can't see any reason for de Jong to play CB (did he play there in the past at all?) unless a really major injury crisis.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 15 2012, 07:52 PM

He's done it in the past for HSV. Milan is know for doing such "errors"; just remember how Seedorf was a striker.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Oct 15 2012, 07:53 PM

Unless he means one of the full backs can play there? I can't imagine who though.

Posted by: han2503 Oct 15 2012, 07:54 PM

Lol, exactly

When the counted Ambro as a CB and then resorted to playing him as a striker in some games, or how Urby is everything but a GK these days.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 15 2012, 07:56 PM

Hmh. That makes me think of Didac Vila.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Oct 15 2012, 07:58 PM

Maybe our Algerian diamond can.

Bonera - Acerbi - Mesbah - Antonini. I would love to see that defensive line in some coppa game for entertainment purposes.

Posted by: han2503 Oct 15 2012, 07:58 PM

Posted by: CHU-LIP Oct 15 2012, 08:33 PM

Even though he is tall (for a fullback) he has been criticized for being defensively poor, so it's kinda hard to believe it's him. I thought about De Sciglio. It was mentioned he can play in central defense too last Summer.

And about De Jong: he has played as left-central defender in a three man defense for Ajax.

And to add a name: Ambrosini has played as central defender at times for us.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 15 2012, 08:36 PM

Yeah, we're filled, not 6 but potentially 8 players

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 15 2012, 08:43 PM

Anyway, according to Mediaset G. Rossi could sing for Inter. Would really be heartbreaking for me. I've always pictured him with us here.

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 15 2012, 09:20 PM

Yeah, I always wanted G. Rossi to sing Bail Morena for us.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Oct 16 2012, 09:30 AM

GdS running a story talking of us offloading Boateng to bring in Strootman and Nani.

I don't see Strootman moving in the winter and 1 will get you 10 that if we do go for Nani, we will only do so on 'loan'.

Posted by: CHU-LIP Oct 16 2012, 12:22 PM

Strootman and Nani?

The attack is well for a nice counter.

Midfield roles I would hand out: Montolivo box-to-box/advanced playmaker; Strootman anchor; De Jong ball-winner.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 16 2012, 12:30 PM

I'd change Nocerino for de Jong.

Posted by: CHU-LIP Oct 16 2012, 12:32 PM

I don't get why.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 16 2012, 12:34 PM

Maybe because Nocerino is still the better player, even if he's entered a bad phase?

Posted by: CHU-LIP Oct 16 2012, 12:42 PM

What makes Nocerino a better player than De Jong is?

You know, I will start. De Jong is the better tackler or better in anything that has to do with defense (Nocerino's defending actions are terrible/reckless - when he decides to do something), De Jong is more composed on the ball even though I wouldn't quite say that about him usually but compared to Nocerino... from midfield position De Jong is more likely giving a good pass and less likely giving a bad pass than Nocerino. De Jong will get more involved in the game, while Nocerino rarely does (that was different when he played with Ibrahimovic). Nocerino does have the better shot, I will give him that.

Nocerino, it's like after last season, he now just hops around waiting to score a goal rather than acting like a midfielder, and at the same time when he does gets involved in midfield position he's a liability.

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 16 2012, 01:11 PM

De Jong is obviously better defensively because he's a pure DM, but saying Nocerino doesn't get involved in the game, makes bad passes etc. is plain horseshit. Surely this season he's been poor, I've been the first one to say that, but overall I agree with Fillipo that Nocerino is the better player.

Now, if we're signing those players and playing 4-3-3, then Strootman will be the DM, Nocerino the box-to-box guy and Montolivo the playmaker. Makes perfect sense. You don't need 2 DMs to play efficient football.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 16 2012, 01:13 PM

^ My point exactly

Posted by: CHU-LIP Oct 16 2012, 01:52 PM

As long as Nocerino isn't showing it one freaking time post-Ibra I can't quite agree one bit. Also, De Jong is not a pure DM. Just because that has become - yes, become - his position doesn't necessary mean he is a pure DM. Sure, he has the qualities of a pure DM, but as long as people see him this way and only this way they will always misjudge De Jong. And I didn't know that plain horseshit stood for the truth.

I would have no issue with putting Aquilani, Merkel, Clasie and so instead of De Jong, but not Nocerino. He's too much of a liability and has no place in a three man midfield. Also, Strootman is much more than just a DM too. It's so shortshined to label both as DMs and thinking that's all they offer.


Plain horseshit, really? How pathetic can one jump in a discussion...

Posted by: han2503 Oct 16 2012, 03:11 PM

Nocerino would be the better fit due to the simple reason that the position you want DJ to play in is not really something he can pull off from what I've seen from him.

You either play him as an anchor or not play him at all.

Also, why remove Prince to bring in an annoying dud like Nani? Doesn't make sense. If we sell Boateng then I'd want a proper AM to come in instead

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Oct 16 2012, 03:54 PM

Why is our formation suddenly projected like that of Barcelona? Is our midfield THAt good?

Posted by: CHU-LIP Oct 16 2012, 04:34 PM

?

you mean because it's a 4-3-3?

1,000,000 teams play 4-3-3 in the last 1,000 years

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 16 2012, 07:40 PM

De Jong has played in front of the defense at City, for Holland and now with us, and you're saying he's not an anchor? Furthermore, your accusations of Nocerino being poor other than having a good shot don't really match with the reality. Did you somehow forget the amazing season he had last year? Like I said, he's having a bad season so far, but so are Boateng, Montolivo and pretty much the rest of our team, otherwise we wouldn't have 7 points after 7 weeks.



I don't think Nani's a dud. He's 25, and could improve in his game. Not to mention that he would come cheap. Besides, I guess Allegri (and if he comes, Guardiola in the future) wants to play 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, and you need proper wingers for that to work.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Oct 16 2012, 07:42 PM

Why would Nani come cheap?

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 16 2012, 07:45 PM

Because Ferguson doesn't want him anymore and United are willing to sell him cheap to cash in. That's what I read on Sportmediaset anyway.

Posted by: CHU-LIP Oct 17 2012, 02:43 AM

?

I didn't use the word anchor.

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 17 2012, 03:58 AM

Somehow I thought you did, but still you don't consider him a pure DM, whilst he's been playing as such in the last few years.

Posted by: CHU-LIP Oct 17 2012, 05:09 AM

Figured people wouldn't get this.

Originally De Jong was an all-round player turned in a DM, and obviously he is now what you can call a true DM, but that doesn't mean he only has the abilities of a DM.

I do see De Jong more as a ball-winner DM than an anchor DM. Strootman is a more nature anchor than De Jong.

Posted by: han2503 Oct 17 2012, 07:56 AM

For me, it's either one or the other. Don't play both as that would ruin the flow of the midfield. It's a typical Allegri move to overload the midfield with such players. A coach like Guardiola wouldn't even dream of deploying 2 DMs

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 17 2012, 08:51 AM

+1 (even though I'm not so sure about Guardiola - all coaches have their fails)

Posted by: han2503 Oct 17 2012, 10:46 AM

It's not just about Guardiola though, give me a name of one other top coach that plays with 2 DMs and even sometimes 3 DMs

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 17 2012, 11:01 AM

Carlo Ancelotti

Posted by: CHU-LIP Oct 17 2012, 11:14 AM

You guys are not familair enough with Strootman and are thinking too black and white.

Nevermind.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 17 2012, 11:38 AM

I really don't think Strootman is "that" creative.

Posted by: CHU-LIP Oct 17 2012, 11:43 AM

But also not ''that little''. Montolivo would be the main playmaker but it's nice when he's not alone in this.

or to use X's three preferenced roles, you can do this:
more likely anyway, I guess
Van Gaal plays with Van der Vaart, De Jong and Strootman in his midfield (same positions as midfield I posted in this reply - except for Van der Vaart plays as Montolivo's position obviously). Labeling De Jong as a pure DM is acceptable, but doing the same with Strootman would be ignoring his other qualities.

Posted by: han2503 Oct 17 2012, 01:17 PM

You're talking about NT football though. That's entirely different to club football. And was De Jong even called up for the Netherlands in these last 2 international breaks we had?

Posted by: CHU-LIP Oct 17 2012, 01:19 PM

Yes, he has. Van Gaal usually plays with De Jong in front of the defense, and with Strootman in a more advanced position.

What difference you have in mind? Maybe you just don't know Strootman well enough, and that a statement like two DMs is not telling the whole story.

Posted by: han2503 Oct 17 2012, 04:07 PM

Maybe I don't know Strootmant as much as you do, but you're one that vouches for him a lot. And I believe you 100%. You say he's a top notch DM and I believe you.

So having said that, why would we need to add De Jong to the midfield if Strootman can do the job on his own just fine? Just because he's more technically gifted than the one dimensional DMs we're used to does not mean that he won't be able to fulfill his defensive duties.

So imo a midfield of Monto, Strootman and Boateng/Nocerino or another box-to-box type mid would be great for us

Posted by: CHU-LIP Oct 17 2012, 04:22 PM

I can write a long story, but basicly it's about how you and me have different views on Boateng and Nocerino.

It's not about me wanting two DMs, but about wanting three midfielders who all contribute as true midfielders.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 17 2012, 04:30 PM

Well, let's see if we sing Strootman first, which seems to me rather unlike.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Oct 17 2012, 04:58 PM

Well if I understand your philosophy it is something like:

(Creative CM) -( Half-DM+Half-Anchor) - (Half- DM + Half-Box2Box)


As our mid lineup?

Posted by: Bluesummers Oct 18 2012, 07:42 PM

Hachim Mastour (14)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8GljeQL0jCs



money well spent

Posted by: KillerMax Oct 18 2012, 07:59 PM

HOLY $HIT! This kid looks in a league of his own! I don't care that this is not Serie A, his relationship with the ball ON the field of play is phenomenal. The control, the poise, technique and vision of this kid is unbelievable... My eyes were wide open in amazement throughout the whole video.

WOW

Posted by: Bluesummers Oct 18 2012, 08:09 PM

Posted by: CHU-LIP Oct 18 2012, 08:26 PM

4-3-3

three forward
three midfieldes
four defenders

When you field a front three, best thing you could do is have a strong midfield; strong as in winning and holding possession, but also feeding the attack and getting involved. This is how your forwards can do their thing rather than your opponents'. All three midfielders can win and hold possession.

a possible version is De Jong will play in front of the defense as defensive midfielder, and has to give the ball to one of Montolivo and Strootman who both can spread the play. Also, both can link up with the forwards, and score goals too. Montolivo and Strootman can both act as box-to-box midfielders as well.

another version isStrootman will play in front of the defense as anchor. He can spread play from there, and Montolivo will in a more advanced position. De Jong will play as a ball-winner, and unlike with the other version, can move all over the pitch doing that while he don't have to stay in front of the defense.

Both have their pro and con. The first version will have the two attackingly strong midfielders both in an advantage position instead of just one. Second version though have a midfielder in front of the defense who's very composed with the ball, having lowering risk losing the ball in an essential position.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Oct 18 2012, 08:39 PM

Your setup would work going forward perhaps. But I'm not convinced of the balance of that formation when we're in defence. I think we would be very susceptible to a counter that uses width.

Posted by: CHU-LIP Oct 18 2012, 08:44 PM

Really?

Both Strootman and De Jong are extremely strong in defending, and also Montolivo defends well. El Shaarawy our left forward/winger tracks back a lot, and whoever plays as right forward/winger should do as well. And it's not like all three midfielders will only defend in the middle. In version one for example, Strootman can defend on the right side, same goes for De Jong in version two, and what more is possible... point is that there are many players who can and will defend.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 18 2012, 11:25 PM

Play Mastour!

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Oct 19 2012, 09:13 AM

It's not so simple. By defintion in a counter,

I'm assuming that Strootman and Monto will both be caught high up the field. Essentially we will have 4 at the back perhaps including De Jong.

It can of course be countered if as you say, our forwards pressure really hard when they lose the ball. But will they do that?

Pazzini doesn't. Pato doesn't. We know that prospective Nani doesn't. Robinho is having fitness issues. So basically we're one SeS injury away from having a non-defensive forward line.

Posted by: CHU-LIP Oct 19 2012, 09:41 AM

That's your assuming...

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Oct 19 2012, 10:59 AM

I know I'm assuming one SES injury could put us backwards, but considering the amount of games we're making the young lad play, I think it's not too much to expect. Esp. with our injury record.

Posted by: CHU-LIP Oct 19 2012, 11:05 AM

rolleyes

Robinho tracks back a lot. Alright, he may leave. Bojan tracks back a lot. Alright, he may not stick. We will see who will be the other winger, but to assume it will a lazy ***... that's simply you don't even want. You just name Pazzini and Pato, and believe in a world only existing of them. When El Shaarawy is out, you can put Emanuelson as LW. He will track back a lot there as well. You can even field De Sciglio as RW when and if options get thin. Boateng can be fielded on the wing as well, and he tracks back a lot too. Pazzini won't play on the wing anyway, and probably should be benched while Pato should play as central striker ideally.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Oct 19 2012, 12:18 PM

Yes..but to me it seems like you're sacrificing too much from our forward line in a desperate bid to stick to that mid-field line.

I'm not saying it is hopeless. But it certainly cannot be our be-all and end-all formation.

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 19 2012, 12:57 PM

Although I don't agree with the midfield CHU posted (for me, Nocerino over De Jong any day of the week), saying it is prone to counterattacks is an overstatement. A midfield consisting of De Jong, Strootman and Montolivo is very strong defensively, the two wingers shouldn't even track back that much.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Oct 19 2012, 01:29 PM

Sure if we consider a DM as your stereotypical DM in a computer simulation. In real life I have found Montolivo to be a clumsy judge of a tackle, De Jong to be oft times rash and out of position, and Strootman to get a bit overrun.

Is there a resolution for this? Nope. Obviously we don't have the quality to make a tactically bullet proof squad.

Posted by: KillerMax Oct 19 2012, 01:47 PM

It can work and it can work well if we can keep posession and play as one fluid team. And also Good defenders. Let's call Silva back from his loan to PSG. I'm sure he is ready to come back to play with the big boys now...

Posted by: CHU-LIP Oct 19 2012, 02:48 PM

That's why I would choose Strootman as anchor and not De Jong. De Jong on the other hand is a great ball-winner who don't have to stick to one certain position like the anchor does. And with two defensively strong midfielders, there's no problem with Montolivo's defensive capabilities. It would when he's the anchor, or when there's only one midfielder who's strong defensively. Montolivo can focus more on playmaking and attacking when both Strootman and De Jong plays rather than Strootman and Nocerino. The latter being defensively very weak, and also in holding possession. It will end up Montolivo acting as the 2nd most defensive midfielder.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 19 2012, 04:25 PM

We're speaking as if we know Strootman at all. Other then Chu, has anyone watched him play for PSV?

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Oct 19 2012, 04:50 PM

Do youtube clips count?

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 19 2012, 06:25 PM

Dude, I didn't even mention the word DM. I just said that a midfield consisting of De Jong, Strootman and Montolivo is strong defensively. Actually, it's too strong. You need a box-to-box mid in there who can attack the space, cover a lot of ground and help in the defensive duties. Nocerino does that job better than De Jong IMO, that's why my vote goes for him. De Jong is only good at winning balls and making simple passes.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 19 2012, 09:06 PM

Nah, I need the real thing

Posted by: Bluesummers Oct 20 2012, 11:06 AM

My friend's brother finally shows up in the game (fm 2013).

Can't wait for him to debut for the first team


PS: He's Milan's best rated youth player They gave him a better rating than cristante and maldini

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Oct 20 2012, 06:52 PM

Cool...

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Oct 21 2012, 09:15 PM

Rumor is that Milan is preparing a €7.3m bid for Ashley Cole.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 21 2012, 09:16 PM

He'd be terrific. Best LB since the days of Serginho and Maldini.

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 21 2012, 09:45 PM

But he's 31. Why not go for Criscito instead?

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 21 2012, 09:46 PM

Oh, and there are also rumors about us wanting to get Merkel back.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 21 2012, 09:51 PM

Because he's cheaper and better? I don't mind age any more.

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 21 2012, 09:54 PM

I don't know about cheaper, but yeah, Cole is better.

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Oct 22 2012, 01:07 PM

Mediaset reports that Silvio Berlusconi recently called Gattuso again to convince him to become a part of Milan's coaching staff.

Mediaset also reports that Silvio Berlusconi also called Nesta to convince him to become a part of Milan's coaching staff.

Guardiola is likely to take Milan's coaching job, but he wants to personally meet Berlusconi for discussing the goals and strategies [GdS]

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Oct 22 2012, 01:33 PM

Finally. A new philosophy. I'm afraid Allegri is not the person to build a Milan v4.

Posted by: Zed.D Oct 22 2012, 02:32 PM

A definite YES to Cole, though I can't see him coming. Turkish or Chinese teams can offer better contracts to these players than Il club piu titolato al mondo.

Posted by: Bluesummers Oct 22 2012, 06:15 PM

nowww let me tell you somethin' there son, hwwwweee aint gon get no ashleeyyy cole now son, hweee aint got there them fundsss, hwee as damnnn broke as a redneck after a custody battle over a huntin' dooggg

Posted by: Bluesummers Oct 22 2012, 06:22 PM

Noowww sonn, tell me hwwwat gave you thaaat silly ideeaaa, right thereee. Hwee can't build notin' with them there handicappps.

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 22 2012, 06:29 PM

Are you OK, Blue?

Posted by: acid911 Oct 22 2012, 06:46 PM

No alarms, X-Off, our current state of affairs sometimes does this to people. Blue is 100%, I'm sure!

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Oct 22 2012, 07:59 PM

Sport Mediaset links Marco Van Basten with the Milan bench if Allegri is sacked.

Posted by: han2503 Oct 22 2012, 08:05 PM

Cole is the best LB around right now, I think he'll renew with Chelsea, can't see him coming to Italy tbh


Cole is miles better.

I'd only take Criscito if he's cheaper


This is getting beyond ridiculous now. We shouldn't have given him to Genoa in the first place!!


Anything better than the dud we have now

Posted by: acid911 Oct 22 2012, 08:49 PM

Nothing ridiculous about it, once you get a hang of how things are done in Italy. It was all part of the plan from the very start. I wouldn't be surprised one bit if we paid good money to get him back. And then seeing Galliani (if he is here by then) say that we brought in another champion. The only question that remains is when.

Posted by: CHU-LIP Oct 22 2012, 09:00 PM

Criscito would cost double money, but is much younger. Cole being 31? He is not far away from getting worse with the days, like Zambrotta maybe. You are lucky when and if Cole will be good for three seasons, and that is pushing it. It's likely two. Even for double money, it's better spent on Criscito than on Cole. I rather go with someone who not may become mediocre in two years time.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Oct 23 2012, 01:36 AM

I can see him leaving. He seems pretty pissed off with the FA for how the dismissed everything he said about the Terry case.

Whether he'd come here is another thing, hopefully.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 23 2012, 07:48 AM

Yeah, my thoughts exactly.

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Oct 23 2012, 08:25 AM

It seams that Nesta could come back to Milan (as a player) for 3 months when they have the holidays in their leauge. Something like Beckham deal.

Posted by: KillerMax Oct 23 2012, 08:35 AM

Didn't he already deny that?

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 23 2012, 08:40 AM

Guys, I've noticed that we have become a bit laid-back in recent updates. Please do mind adding or mentioning sources to information and rumors.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Oct 23 2012, 08:40 AM

Nesta already stated that he wont come back to Milan on a 'Beckham deal'. I personally wouldn't want him back.

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Oct 23 2012, 08:58 AM

source of my last post. http://infokosova.net/sport/661-plani-berlusconi-pa-allegri-n.html

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 23 2012, 09:01 AM

Thanks

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 25 2012, 06:09 PM

Galliani: "Allegri will stay till the end of the season".

http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/calcio/championsleague/articoli/1841/galliani-avanti-con-allegri.shtml

I surrender...

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 25 2012, 06:31 PM

Anyway, the fact that we're so desperate to keep Allegri till the end of the season makes me believe that something big will happen next year. The Guardiola and Arab/Russian rumors seem even more believable at this point.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Oct 25 2012, 08:19 PM

Agreed. If we were to bring in a new coach now and then someone bought the club, they may have someone else in mind, so would result in another change.

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 25 2012, 10:00 PM

Well, I don't think we're going to sell the whole club, just part of the ownership, like 25% of the shares. I think the main reason why Allegri has not been fired yet is that we want to sign Guardiola at all cost for next season. Anyone who would come right now instead of Allegri would have to accept to leave at the end of the season, and let's be honest, there aren't many good coaches who would agree to that.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 25 2012, 10:13 PM

Yep, agreed. But anyway, I think we need a short term coach to achieve a psychological break and try saving this season. Because, I doubt Guardiola is all fired up for playing Europa League next season.

Posted by: han2503 Oct 25 2012, 11:45 PM

More like, no Europe at this point.

There are interim-coach options that we could make use of, anyone at this point is better than sticking with Allegri.

Letting him stay will just continue to plummet us into the abyss. Allegri cannot save this situation.

Posted by: Zed.D Oct 26 2012, 10:09 AM

I don't believe that, honestly.

Posted by: han2503 Oct 26 2012, 11:35 AM

You cannot believe a word Galliani says, in fact, he usually does the opposite of what he says.

If we lose the next few games it won't even be a choice for Galliani, he'll be forced into it.

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 26 2012, 03:03 PM

I think Berlusconi has left everything to Galliani for this season. He knows he's in no position to give orders after literally destroying our team this summer.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 26 2012, 04:01 PM

Maybe this is partly the a reason for the his absence?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/former-italian-prime-minister-silvio-berlusconi-sentenced-to-four-years-in-jail-for-tax-fraud-8228441.html

Posted by: han2503 Oct 26 2012, 05:44 PM

He'll weasel his way out of it like every other time

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Oct 26 2012, 05:54 PM

This is the first judiciary level. The case still has to be passed onto the 2nd and 3rd ruling. Berlusconi will appeal this and probably be forced to pay a fine for the tax evation. But no jail time IMO.

Posted by: d'Arc.LP Oct 29 2012, 03:15 PM

Sky and Gazetta are convinced that Robinho will be sold in January as Milan have received good offers for him

Posted by: han2503 Oct 29 2012, 03:29 PM

At this point we should take it if it's good and replace him with a creative player, because we are absolutely desperate for someone with some vision who can provide a great final ball

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 29 2012, 08:13 PM

And Robinho at this point has absolutely nothing to offer.

Posted by: X-Offender Oct 29 2012, 08:38 PM

I say sell both Robinho and Boateng and sign a top notch trequartista/winger, someone with vision and creativity.

Posted by: han2503 Oct 29 2012, 08:40 PM

No, I wouldn't sell Boateng. He's a great player imo who's being used incorrectly by the idiot coaching this team

Imagine a diamond midfield like this



A top class AM would really make that a top notch midfield for us

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Oct 29 2012, 08:57 PM

Top notch midfield? Ambro-Rino-Pirlo-Seedorf-Kaka was top notch, this...no way. Problem number one is a top notch AM at a reasonable prize is not so easy to find these days. Problem number two is Montolivo and DJ are in my book just a bit above the average, and would never give you the needed amount of creativity, presence (Monty), stability and work-rate (DJ). The third is Boateng - I'm not sure he's any good to be honest; he's just mentally not fit to be Milan's star.

Posted by: han2503 Oct 29 2012, 09:44 PM

Top-notch was an exxageration, I conceed that. What I meant but didn't say is; top notch compared to what we have

I look at Montolivo for Italy and he's just amazing in that midfield, every game, consistantly good, dependant and combines well with the others. And then at Milan he's not half the player (even though he's been our most consistant performer this season)

De Jong is a very good player as well, he hasn't lit up for us yet, but I think people tend to forget that he's new to the team and the league.

As for Boateng, he might not have it in him to be the star of the team. Think of it in Barcelona terms. He doesn't have it in him to be the Messi, but certainly the Iniesta of the team. (Note: I'm not comparing him to Iniesta by ANY means, just trying to compare them in terms of what they give to the team). i.e Prince is certainly not the big star name, but he can be highly important with 'flashy' and brilliant moments here and there. Under the right direction he WILL be this for us. But that won't happen under Allegri

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Oct 29 2012, 09:52 PM

Agreed. Monto, DJ, and KPB are all decent midfielders. Good, but nothing chevalier ala Pirlo or Seedorf.

Milan used to have a presence in the CL and held its weight in Serie A pretty well over those 20+ years. But not all were spectacular or dominating. In fact some were very low. Those low points were turning points for the club to get back up. As the saying goes 'what goes up, must come down'. Turning points reflect a change in our core. And as things stand a core of Montolivo, KPB and DJ are Europa league level at best. Hence patience should be a given here for all Milanisti.

Posted by: X-Offender Nov 1 2012, 02:23 PM

According to MilanNews, these are the names that might leave in January: Mesbah, Dídac, Flamini, Traoré, Strasser, Boateng, Robinho and Niang.

http://www.milannews.it/?action=read&idnotizia=95107

Posted by: han2503 Nov 1 2012, 02:26 PM

I'd only keep Boateng and maybe Strasser from those. The rest should be sold at the first offer

I really don't get why we're giving Boateng up because our inept coach is incapable of using him correctly!! It's the same thing we did with Dinho and Pirlo, and we'll once again regret it

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Nov 1 2012, 02:44 PM

Niang? Wasn't Niang a hotshot talent for whom we fought just recently?

Posted by: Jack Bauer Nov 1 2012, 03:02 PM

Yeah, why would we sell a promising 17 y.o kid? It's not like anyone expected him to play many games in his first season..

Posted by: X-Offender Nov 1 2012, 04:11 PM

Apparently he hasn't convinced, not even the Primavera's coach Dolcetti.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Nov 1 2012, 09:10 PM

so...another Grimi, but a pretty darn expensive Grimi. That would really be idiotic.

Posted by: drucurl Nov 1 2012, 09:36 PM

I think it's sad how if one youth player doesn't convince some one (i.e. their coach at the time), his entire career can get hurt. Happens all the time I guess. Pretty sure if Pato stayed healthy and we still had iBra we'd be hearing Allegri being "unconvinced" by El Shaarawry too

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Nov 2 2012, 12:26 PM

That is mitigated by sending them on co-ownership deals, which gives other teams the incentive to play them in Professional competitions instead of warming the bench at a bigger club. Thing is, no talent is wasted by coaches because there are tones of scouts out there who bring these players to the attention of many other clubs, etc.

Sole reason a talent is wasted is when the player does an Adriano.

Posted by: drucurl Nov 2 2012, 12:47 PM

I'm not sure our strategy also works.

Pierre Aubemyang was really great for us in the primevera and we loaned him continually and eventually sold him for peanuts....bow look at him go in France!
We've not gotten the best out of Kluivert, Elber, Davids, Vieria etc and none of them did an Adriano.

Posted by: Zed.D Nov 16 2012, 03:26 PM

http://www.football-italia.net/27335/milan-lose-yanga-mbiwa


If we couldn't get him when his contract was expiring, I can't see how we can do it now that he's renewed.

And some people here were sure he was ours...

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Nov 16 2012, 09:10 PM

Can't say I'm sorry. From what I've seen, not worth the trouble/expectations.

Posted by: Zed.D Nov 16 2012, 10:10 PM

Yeah who needs him when there is the diesel

Posted by: Bluesummers Nov 18 2012, 04:44 AM

So Boateng and Robinho out in Jan?

What are we looking at for potential cash, 35?

Posted by: X-Offender Nov 18 2012, 04:02 PM

Well, Robinho will be sold for €9 million max. As for Boateng, well, we'd be lucky to get anything close to the €20 million mark, but I really can't see why any team would offer so much money for a player like him.

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Nov 18 2012, 04:31 PM

I've said it before and I'll say it again: "Man I wish we sold Boa when Real came knocking with 28Mil"

EDIT: And you usually end up getting the player departures we want, but it's the replacements and reinvestments that are Milan's real problem. Here's to hoping if we loose anyone this Winter, we use the money to get QUALTIY players for the positions we NEED.

Posted by: X-Offender Nov 18 2012, 05:05 PM

If there's been one huge mistake in that regard, it was not selling Pato to PSG for €35 million last January. Maybe we might not have even sold one between Silva and Ibra if that had happened.

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Nov 18 2012, 08:13 PM

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Nov 18 2012, 11:00 PM

I still believe Pato staying will turn in our favor.

Posted by: X-Offender Nov 19 2012, 01:43 AM

That's just wishful thinking. I can't see him getting back to his old shape anymore.

Posted by: Bluesummers Nov 19 2012, 09:46 AM

President Silvio Berlusconi to the Milan Channel: “I’m very happy to get back to taking care of Milan with Galliani and Allegri. In January we’ll see about the possibility of buying some players”.

Silvio Berlusconi spoke exclusively to the Milan Channel about the team, the fans and the future:

“It’s a particular moment for me as I have no institutional responsibilities and so I have more time for Milan and I’m very happy to return and take care of the club with Galliani and Allegri. We’ve got 26 years of history behind us and we’re the team that has won the most in the world. The great players of the past had to leave due to the age question while the sale of Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to PSG will allow the club to save €160 million in three years. In such a time of economic crisis, we wouldn’t say not to such an offer. Milan will now back the younger players to get back on track. We’ll see in January if we have to sell or if there’ll be the chance to buy. The trio of El Shaarawy-Pato-Bojan is not bad at all and they’re all very young. Pato is a great player that we’ve always considered untouchable. In the last two years unfortunately he0s had some physical problems. He has to get back believing and have faith in himself because we want to see the old Pato again. I remember a few years ago a Spanish side offered €50 million for him”.

“Montolivo is the playmaker of the team and I have a lot of faith in him. He’s good at winning the ball and setting up the play. He reminds me of Pirlo in many ways and I’ll tell the coach to play him in the middle. Many people will say that it’s me who picks the team but discussing formations and players with the coach is something I’ve always done with everyone. If the President didn’t want the coach then he wouldn’t be here now. If Allegri is still here it’s because he has my trust. As a Milan fan I say to the other fans that for 26 years we’ve drank champagne and eaten caviar, now it’s a different situation and we have to look to the young players. There is a part of the fans that have caused me pain as they no longer go to the stadium. It’s in the tough moments that you see the real fans, a big team needs big support”.

“Today there’s no negotiation for the sale of the club. Before that we need to rebuild the team and get back to winning. It’s only then you can think about selling the club to someone who can guarantee the maximum commitment”.

“I have a file on each player and I know everything about all of them. At Milan all the players have to feel an attachment to the jersey and for that to happen you need the club to be close to the players and I hope to be able to give my contribution in that sense”.

“Rino Gattuso is right, you need 11 starting players as your base and that can be substituted when tired of injured. We haven’t had that so far this year. At the moment there’s no Gattuso on the pitch to pull the team along, we have to find another player like him who can give a push to the rest of the team. I hope that among these players we can find another player to be captain like him. We’ll need time though”.

Posted by: William405 Nov 20 2012, 11:44 AM

http://football-italia.net/27484/milan-looking-xhaka

What do you guys think?

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Nov 20 2012, 11:52 AM

Don't think this is gonna happen. But no to me anyway.

Posted by: Bluesummers Nov 20 2012, 12:26 PM

We gotta buy some players, hopefully we invest in a good CB and a creative mid.

But knowing Berlu he's probably gonna try and lure balotelli with boateng.

Posted by: X-Offender Nov 20 2012, 02:21 PM

Mediaset says we're after Andreas Cornelius, 19 years old striker of Copenhagen, and Vlad Chiriches, CB of Steaua Bucharest. They might both come in January.

http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/mercato//articoli/93358/il-milan-piomba-su-cornelius.shtml

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Nov 20 2012, 02:58 PM

New Niangs?

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Nov 20 2012, 03:28 PM

I think Niang is not given up on yet. Everyone concerned believes he has great skill but not the right personality. That could I imagine be tamed, except we don't have the seniors to do it. Perhaps he might be the next Gourcuff we give up on.

Posted by: X-Offender Nov 20 2012, 04:04 PM

Goal suggests that we might offer €20 million + Abate to PSG for Pastore in January.

Ah, if only that came true...

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Nov 20 2012, 04:05 PM

Hmh, Pastore is underperforming and overrated but still good. Who's PSG starter right fullback?

Posted by: X-Offender Nov 20 2012, 04:36 PM

Van der Wiel?

Posted by: Zed.D Nov 20 2012, 05:50 PM

Really? for Abate? I mean, I always say he's not good enough for Milan's XI but he's a great sub to have. why not Robinho or Prince?

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Nov 20 2012, 05:58 PM

So why would they need Abate?

Posted by: X-Offender Nov 20 2012, 06:05 PM

Beats me.

Posted by: maldini03 Nov 20 2012, 08:11 PM

I dont think giving up Abate would be a good idea. He may not be the best RB in the game, but he is a hard worker and is always learning. I would rather give up Robinho or Prince.

Also Abate >> Van der Wiel

Posted by: han2503 Nov 20 2012, 08:45 PM

Why would we give up Abate?/ Especially when PSG have a good player in that position already.

Abate is one of the few players I would say are unsellable in this team. Leo should do us a favour and hand Pastore over for the 20m alone after the bargain deal he got off us this summer.

Posted by: CHU-LIP Nov 20 2012, 10:17 PM

How does that matter (for us)?

Posted by: han2503 Nov 20 2012, 11:08 PM

It means that the rumour is most likely just that... A rumour

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Nov 21 2012, 10:04 AM

It matters because it's unlikely they'd make a move for a player who would most probably end up on the bench. It's also unlikely he'd accept such a faith - but you never know.

Posted by: han2503 Nov 21 2012, 01:37 PM

And why would we sell one of our most consistantly good performers not to mention a youth product?

DS has proven that he's no where near ready to take over as well

Posted by: Zed.D Nov 21 2012, 06:36 PM

Your bias towards Abate/against DS is astonishing.

DS has proved that he's "no where ready" to take over? believe what you want, I think he's showed that he's all but ready to do that. he will make mistake sometimes, he will have bad games sometimes, but that's what he needs to grow.

As soon as he plays a few games in a row as a starter you can see how quickly he adapts and how well he plays. that was evident against Napoli and hopefully will be evident tonight as well.

Posted by: han2503 Nov 21 2012, 06:45 PM

Lol, me preferring the more experianced and better player is suddenly turned into a bias/hate towards De Sciglio??!!!

Just too laughable at this point.

You know what I hate? Is how some people on this forum idolise players simply because they're young and from the primavera. When one of them does decently it's like he's the second coming, forget the fact that none of them have turned out any good at the end of the day. Let's not even try to list all of the De Sciglio's throughout the years shall we

As for DS and my apparent hate for him that you're pointing out. I have nothing against the kid, and think that he's a fine young player with potential to become really good in the future, and I woud like nothing more than for that to happen, but is he good enough RIGHT NOW to be a starter for us, especially when we have Abate available? Hell no!!

I've had no problem in the past admitting when I don't particularly like a certain player (Pazzini, Ambro, the list can go on) but that is certainly not the case with DS, and just because I don't think he's ready right now does not mean that I don't like him or believe that he can be a starter for us in the future, I just tell it how it is, and just because he's young and a youth product is not enough for me to say that he's the next great thing

Posted by: Zed.D Nov 21 2012, 07:03 PM

I didn't say hate, I said bias because you always make it a Abate/DS thing when we're having a discussion about DS. can't talk about one without mentioning the other!

Why couldn't DS be the first one in years? just give me one good reason.

You're the kind of person that would say the same about El Sha if Zlatan was still here and the kid didn't get so much time to find his feet at last. remember the first few games of the season and how bad he was? who could've guessed he'd turn it around like this? if pulled it off it's because he got to play regularly, he was allowed to make mistakes and learn, and he's learning fast. for me it's the same with DS, I think he should start and play plenty of games regularly. I'd hate to sell Abate because he gives us depth, but if that what it takes for DS to become our first choice rightback, so be it! I just don't see the awesomeness you do in Abate.

Posted by: X-Offender Nov 21 2012, 07:07 PM

Maybe De Sciglio will never become as good as Abate.

Posted by: amancik Nov 21 2012, 07:13 PM

I agree with Zed about De Sciglio. But I also agree with han that he may not be strong enough (as of right now) to replace Abate yet. I think han went too strong with his statement about 'no where near ready'. I mean I haven't seen a decent 19 year-old in AC Milan over the last decade (not to mention a full-back which is hard to come by these days) play a string of good performances that projects the potential of someone capable of being a very good if not great footballer, have you?

Posted by: han2503 Nov 21 2012, 07:31 PM

The reason why it's an Abate vs DS thing is because in reality that is the case. It's either ONE or the OTHER. Simple as that and who would I prefer? Pretty simple answer really. Does that mean I hate DS or that I don't believe he'll be as good or even better than Abate in the future? No. Neither you nor I could answer that but as of right now, Abate is hands down the best choice no matter how you want to play it as me being against DS playing.

As for SES, I was one of the few actually defending him when people were getting on his back at the start of the season so your argument failed right there. And don't bring Ibra into it because EVERYONE would want Ibra on the pitch instead of anyone else. It's only natural. SES is doing great but Ibra is a different type of player, he's a 30+ goal scorer, a 20+ assist man, a midfielder, a support striker a prima punta. Ibra is a super player you simply cannot make an argument out of this.

Let me tell you the awesomeness I see in Abate. He was a player I didn't particularly like just a few short years ago. Thought he was a complete dumbass who was clueless in all areas of the game. and you know why I like him so much now? Because he worked his @ss off from the point he was when we brought him back from loan to where he is now, undoubtedly the best RB in the league next to Lichsteiner. Does De Sciglio have the postential to be great? Yes I personally think he does, but I just hope he has 1/10 of the determination and work ethic that Abate has because if he doesn't then he'll go down as another one in the long line of players with potnetial who failed to live up to it.

And your argument about wanting to sell Abate so DS could take his spot is pretty ridiculous to me. We have a very good RB and you want to sell him just so that the kid could get the start? That's just terrible logic. I want what's best for the team not for DS. And what best for the team right now is Abate. And you know what's even better for the team than that, to have another good option on the bench should abate not be available, and we have that in DS. So why ruin a good thing?


I don't think it's an exxageration. DS has a lot more growing to do before he can be a first choice for Milan. Maybe if the Milan we're talking about is the current one where mid-table is acceptable it would be ok, but for a Milan that's looking te rebuild and get back on it's feet he's still not there yet

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Nov 21 2012, 07:32 PM

Maybe. But with not playing him we'll never find out. To me Abate is a prime example of sheer determination. When we first got him he had awful overall technique, no feel for position and marking, no tackling ability but pure speed. Now he's turned into a good defender and our best fullback - and only determination + faith and playing time did that. DS on the other hand has talent, something Abate is lacking.

Posted by: han2503 Nov 21 2012, 07:36 PM

DS is still getting plenty of minutes which anyone else wouldn't be getting.

He's being handled properly. Throwing him to the wolves and leaving him as the only choice wouldn't be the best way to handle him

Posted by: amancik Nov 21 2012, 07:36 PM

But don't you think this is precisely the time to integrate him? I mean I dare to say he's the second-best full-back we have right now (Constant as LB for me is still under experiment). But maybe not at the expense of Abate.