Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 1 2013, 09:34 AM

All summer transfer talk here

Posted by: acid911 Feb 1 2013, 10:03 AM

About time, I say! Visiting this thread it suddenly dawned on me that the Winter transfer window is over.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 1 2013, 12:02 PM

So, that Saponara kid will be coming. Hopefully he turns out a quality AM.

Posted by: KillerMax Feb 1 2013, 01:39 PM

In FM he is listed as a winger.

Posted by: dst Feb 1 2013, 01:54 PM

Then he is a winger.

Posted by: KillerMax Feb 1 2013, 01:57 PM

They are a bunch of soccer geeks that do this kind of a thing for a living. They are more often than not accurate with their data. It's not exactly PES or FIFA.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 1 2013, 02:38 PM

Agreed.

Posted by: dst Feb 1 2013, 03:05 PM

I wasn't joking.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 1 2013, 05:56 PM

He can play as AM and winger, but his primary position is SS.

Posted by: Lawbaba Feb 1 2013, 06:19 PM

I pray we sign a top quality CB and strenghten our attecking midfield cuz we'll be aiming for CL final next season...................... if and only if we qualify this season.

Posted by: Bluesummers Feb 1 2013, 06:24 PM

Our signings this window have to be perfect if we want to be competitive by the 3 year deadline set
By berlu.

1) keep allegri or get new coach

2) buy out bojan 10-15m or not

3) get a new gk or promote from within

4) etc..


Lots of big decisions to be made that could make or break
Our season. Let's hope Galliani makes the right ones

Posted by: han2503 Feb 1 2013, 08:08 PM

It's easy really. If we want to achieve something decent next season then the first step has to be Allegri's dismissal

Posted by: Bluesummers Feb 1 2013, 10:11 PM

But who do we get with our budget? I mean allegri only makes 1.5m a year. Thats pretty low for someone whose won serie A best coach award.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 1 2013, 11:07 PM

Any number of Italian coaches would be better.

Montella, Spaletti, Donadoni. They're not top class coaches (although Montella can be great with more experiance) but they're infinately better than this guy we have making stupid decisions week in week out

Posted by: Bluesummers Feb 1 2013, 11:14 PM

Donadoni? I'm not quite sure. Spaletti yes but we wont be able to match the salary the zenit give him. Montella I have no opinion on, haven't seen him enough.

I don't think allegri is that bad. I would switch him up only for a coach that we know is much better

Posted by: acid911 Feb 1 2013, 11:42 PM

Montella is okay enough, I guess. Not the worst choice we can make. At least he does not seem to stick with his idiotic decisions and is more dynamically adaptable.


Allegri is not bad, he's just drawn that way.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 2 2013, 12:09 AM

I want Rijkaard for next season.

Posted by: Bluesummers Feb 2 2013, 12:09 AM

IF montella is good then why not, i'm for it. I just don't want to switch him for someone like zeman, whose gonna mess up the whole place. Allegri has been here for almost 3 years now and things have been running okay.

Posted by: Bluesummers Feb 2 2013, 12:35 AM

Winter transfers in full detail:


Arrivals:

Cristian Zaccardo (31, defender, Parma, swapped)

Riccardo Saponara (21, midfielder, Empoli, €4m)

Mario Balotelli (22, forward, Manchester City €20 million)

Bartosz Salamon (21, defender, Brescia, €3.5m)


Departures:

Alexandre Pato (23, forward, Corinthians, €15m)

Djamel Mesbah (28, defender, Parma, swapped)

Rodney Strasser (22, midfielder, Parma, loan)

Mattia Valoti (19, midfielder, Albinoleffe, loan)

Francesco Acerbi (24, defender, Genoa, swapped)

Ferdinando Coppola (34, goalkeeper, Torino, undisclosed)

Urby Emanuelson (26, midfielder, Fulham, loan)

Adria Carmona (20, midfielder, Real Zaragoza, loan)

Posted by: han2503 Feb 2 2013, 10:08 AM

You don't think Allegri is "that bad"?!

Allegri is terrible in every aspect it takes to be even a half decent coach! And on top of that he's so pigheaded that I can't even stand the sight of him anymore!! Don't even try to make me list all the bad things about him because I'd write you an assey on that one.

If we want improvements for next season then Allegri simply has to go! No more chances for him to screw this team up even more than he already did in these last few years.


Another much better option then this idiot currently coaching the team


Montella is good and has a lot of potential from what I've seen during his spells at Catania and Fiorentina now. Running ok? You think handing over a Scudetto last season and the huge mess he's made this season is running okay?

Posted by: Bluesummers Feb 2 2013, 10:32 AM

It can be a lot worst, trust me lol. Lotsssssssssss of terrible coaches out there. He's not as bad as you make him out to be.

But overall i'd be open to change as long as its better than him

Posted by: milanbuf88 Feb 2 2013, 11:03 AM

Blasphemy! Allegri is the devil combined with a mentally retarded chimp! /s

Seriously, han left objectivity behind a long time ago in regards to Allegri. I think all that is left is blind hate.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 2 2013, 11:12 AM

Why should I be objective about Allegri when he clearly does not even TRY to correct his mistakes?

Always the same BS with him. We make one decent step forward and you think we're about to start improving and then proceeds to make 4 backwards. Always the same thing. Always the same bad decisions. Allegri does not deserve any objectivity at this point.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 2 2013, 11:40 AM

"Always"? In the past 10 games only Barca have picked up more points than us in the top European leagues, hardly going in the wrong direction.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 2 2013, 12:18 PM

This has been our easiest stretch in the fixture list by far. The hard games will now come rolling in one after the other. Does it really matter that we're barely scraping wins against the likes of Bologna, Atalanta, Samp (oh sorry that was a draw) when we come up against the better sides and we'll get absolutely hammered like we did against Roma?

The point has always been the performances, because they might not matter much if you manage to scrap through against the previously mentioned team, but the terrible way we've been playing will count when the fixture list won't be so forgiving.

That's my entire point regarding the steps back we always make. Because in one game where we seem to have made some sort of step forward in the way we're playing, the following game is the epitome of terrible because of some decision or other that Allegri has made. Such as the inlclusion of the clumsy Niang now on the wing. We think it's great that he's FINALLY moved Boateng back in his natural position and he does something stupid to counteract that by playing Niang there

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 2 2013, 12:24 PM

Juve lost to both Milan clubs, drew with Lazio and Fiorentina. "easy games" are where things are won. You don't get anywhere winning a few games against top clubs. Performances for the most part have been much improved lately anyway. Last weekend was a bit shaky, but it happens.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 2 2013, 12:43 PM

That's why Juve have let a large point gap slip right?

We've lost enough games against both good and bad teams this season. And if you call scraping through these games "much improved" then that is your view and I simply cannot share it with you.

Our recent run has took us to 5th place after that horrible start we made, but if we slip up in the upcoming harder fixtures then we'll easily be back in midtable due to how close the points are between the teams

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 2 2013, 08:33 PM

Their lead was still fine. It's points dropped against Samp and Genoa recently that's seen their lead slip.

Posted by: Danny Feb 2 2013, 11:52 PM

Championships are won by the gritty away and indeed home wins v the likes of Catania and Atalanta. The marquee matches are crucial too but the sheer volume of teams weaker than Milan means that it's absurd to suggest the matches against the big rivals decide the league.

They don't.

Simple maths.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 3 2013, 12:17 AM

No they don't decide a league. BUT in our case it's not a league title that has to be decided. It's the last CL spot against the likes of Inter, Roma, Fiorentina and Lazio, all of which we'll be facing in the coming weeks aside from Roma. And if you think that these won't be crucial for that CL spot then I don't know what else to tell you.

My point is kurt that we've lost too many points already against BOTH big and small clubs, enough to make these next few games count for a LOT. While Juve have blazed through the first part of the league, so losing a bit of points here and there has so far not hurt their position, whether that is lost points against big or small sides.

And one final point. If you think the big ties don't matter that much in the course of a season then all you have to look at is our Scudetto winning season versus last season.

In our Scudetto win we basically disposed of all the small sides with ease, while ALSO winning the big ties, double against Napoli, double against Inter, lost 1 won 1 against Juve, I think a draw and win against Roma and so on. Last season on the other hand we struggled in all our big ties, which in the end basically decided the Scudetto.

My point is, when things are close you simply have to win those head-to-head ties. And rght now that CL spot is VERY tight, and I can't see it changing too much in the coming months

Posted by: Bluesummers Feb 3 2013, 09:58 AM

Galliani: ""The story about Kaka is a closed chapter for me," he told Corriere dello Sport. "Real Madrid wanted €18 million - a figure that given his age and salary demands made a deal frankly unthinkable."

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 6 2013, 07:13 AM

Would be interesting to find out what really happened. My guess is that Perez was eager to get rid of an expensive bench-warmer, but selling Kaka back to Milan for a huge loss would have not gone down well with fans, hence Perez and Galliani came up with the "loan deal" (which fell apart once the tax experts looked at it). But 18M is still a huge loss, so I am not sure if my theory holds water. Also, I am not sure why we did not go for the 18M, as we paid more for Balo (perhaps the difference is that we pay Balo over a number of years - I think).

Posted by: milanbuf88 Feb 6 2013, 07:22 AM

I don't think the length of payment was the difference. Balotelli is a far better buy at 20 million than Kaka at 18. We refused to pay 18 million because he isn't worth that much. He's injury prone, not getting any younger, and not the same player he was back in 07.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 6 2013, 07:32 AM

I like Montella, but is he going to leave Fiorentina at this point?

Of the other names mentioned:
- Spalletti - I think he is good, not 100% sure if he will fit Milan, but I would not mind
- Donadoni - kind of like the guy, but I have seen him flop too many times, so no
- Rijkaard - maybe
- Zeman - no way !!!

How about:
- Carletto? (I think his days at PSG are numbered) - kind of like the guy, not sure how well it would work with a "young team" strategy, also a bit too "defensive minded" for my taste
- Di Matteo? - did better at Chelsea than Benitez or Villa-Boas, AFAIAC
- Gasperini? - flopped at Inter and Palermo, but was rated highly at some point
- Guidolin? - has shown the ability to adapt to a constantly changing team and take it close to the top

As for Allegri, I am a little less negative than I was a few months ago, but I still question his tactical choices as well as his ability to motivate the team. In other words, I would like to think that we can do better.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 6 2013, 07:39 AM

No disagreement, Balo is a much better choice for the money. And (unlike Man City, who dropped the asking price considerably) I have a feeling that RC would have not gone any lower in their demands (loss of face issue, given what they paid us only a few years ago). Still, I think Kaka could have been a positive influence on the rest of the players.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 6 2013, 07:46 AM

What really hurts is the games we lost at the beginning of the season against teams we should have beaten. OTOH, (despite my general unhappiness with Allegri) I have to admit that it would have been hard for any coach to recover after the squad was decimated during the summer.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Feb 6 2013, 07:53 AM

What milanbuf88 said ... @Forza Milan, We will never find out the details, just that Kaka was probably the 2nd choice transfer in case Balotelli never materialized. Everything that happened pre-transfer window and during the transfer window was a means to negotiate better terms for Balotelli. Everything from Silvio calling Balo a bad apple, to Galliani stating we are fine as we are to all the comments that was fed to the media by our upper management was a direct attempt to ensure Balotelli arrives at the terms and conditions suitable for Milan.

In other words, all that we heard streaming from the media was the tip of an iceberg, beneath it was a mammoth of details. Without it, we can never know what was meant, just that the intentions were to get the player at our terms. And it worked.

Posted by: KillerMax Feb 6 2013, 08:23 AM

Are these facts? Do you have any sources to back up these claims?

Posted by: Zed.D Feb 6 2013, 10:03 AM

Doesn't any need source. Milan's management are very smart people, other team's managements (especially wannabes like Man City) are plain stupid. so it all makes sense. we fooled them by declaring Balo a bad apple and they fell for it and gave him to us at terms and conditions suitable for us. I'm sorry if can't you see that!

Posted by: acid911 Feb 6 2013, 10:38 AM

I could be wrong but I think Max was in sarcastic mood in the post above. You know, how R7 always brings up the sources claim in his discussions, particularly with Han, hehe. But having said that, I must add that Milan's management are not always smart - they have had their share of duds and downright ugly decisions.

We can go on an say whatever we want (well they are better than City's management), but these are facts.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 6 2013, 10:45 AM

As was Zeddie's post.

Posted by: acid911 Feb 6 2013, 11:06 AM

He was?

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 6 2013, 11:19 AM

As far as I know Zeddie isn't a big fan of the management, so I'm assuming he was being sarcastic.

Posted by: KillerMax Feb 6 2013, 11:29 AM

But he also flip flops more than Romney...

Posted by: acid911 Feb 6 2013, 11:42 AM

That he isn't, but I did not smell any sarcasm from his comment above. He came across as genuinely defending the management. Regardless, this is something only he can explain best.


True, true. Nice!

Posted by: han2503 Feb 6 2013, 01:42 PM

I hope kurt is right and you are being sarcastic here

These are the same guys who sold Silva and Ibra this summer. Rejected 35m for Pato last winter only to give up and sell him for not even half of that not even a whole year later. Replaced Sheva by paying nearly 20m to get Oliveira. Keep bringing in players like Traore, Mesbah, etc who we then cannot get rid of because they're more than happy to sit on the Milan bench earning a decent salary. Let Pirlo go on a free transfer because of a stupid 1 year only extention for over 30 players and then sign the 31 year old Zaccardo for nearly 5 years. The list can keep goin until this entire page is filled with only my post.

For every half decent transfer they manage to accomplish, Galliani follows it up by 5 gaffs.

Let's not kid ourselves, City want to get Balo out as he was a big problem for them. The only reason we got him for 20m is because they were willing to go down to that price, and not because Galliani and Silvio ran their mouths off in the media. Clubs these ays are not as gullible as these guys seem to think they are. Had City been ok with keeping Balo then they wuld hae kept him, just like with Tevez when they wouldn't go a cent down from their initial asking price even if he was playing golf in S. America at the time

Posted by: Zed.D Feb 6 2013, 01:46 PM

Isn't my sarcasm obvious?

Posted by: han2503 Feb 6 2013, 02:00 PM

I have to say, on that one it really seemed like you were serious. Only kurt was able to tell you were being sarcastic

Posted by: acid911 Feb 6 2013, 02:08 PM

From casual reading it wasn't. Only after reading it again did it come through.


Exactly. Kurt probably cheated, and brought statistics in as he said in the post above, fan of management, and all that. But the Zed I know is usually, shall I say, calm, collected and plain simple in his posts. That is why he got us.

Posted by: William405 Feb 6 2013, 04:25 PM

Yyees so true!!

Anyway in all seriousness, look at what newcastle got this transfer window...that is what i call smart purshases..

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 6 2013, 04:26 PM

Yup, I tried to make similar points about the reason behind public statements in some of my posts. However, I believe we were serious about Kaka, at least up to the point when the "loan deal" collapsed.

There is a general negativity on this forum against Milan management that IMHO is not fully justified. Yes, they have made their share of mistakes (as other clubs have), but they are far from a bunch of cretins as they are made to be. Berlu in particular has been extremely successful in business and politics (I don't necessarily like what he has done there, but one cannot argue against success), and you don't achieve that by surrounding yourself with fools. The decisions that have led to running the team on a more solid financial basis were painful but IMHO necessary (regardless of FFP). Successful teams (like ManU and Bayern) are run that way, and the first step for Milan was to control spending (and no, this is not about draining money out of the club, as it has been said or implied). Building a team around young players seems to me like the right direction (as long as we keep some balance by having more experienced players as well). And yes, it would have been much better if we started years ago, but hindsight is always 20-20, and the financial conditions have changed in recent years (in particular, the redistribution of TV revenue has hurt us more than people realize). Berlu's selection of players is often driven by personal or political ambitions, we all know that. OTOH, it is his money, and in most cases his choices have helped the team. Finally, if I look across other Italian clubs, we are still one of the better managed teams (for example, I would not trade places with Inter or Roma - or Palermo).

Back to Balo, high level negotiations are harder than people realize, and posturing is a big part of it. With this one in particular, the general consensus on this forum was that Man City would never agree to sell Balo at lower price (for example, see below). Yet Galliani has accomplished that. I think he deserves a little credit.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 6 2013, 04:39 PM

Yup, will probably add Sissoko to my EPL fantasy team, and I am keeping an eye on Debuchy (though I am bummed about Ba, dropped him from my team the moment he was traded to Chelsea).

On a more serious note, I think we pay a penalty for being a high profile team, as our moves are scrutinized by the press, and the moment other clubs get a hint that we might be interested in a player, other teams jump and the price goes up.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Feb 6 2013, 08:42 PM

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan have reached an agreement with Verona for 50% of Jorginho.

http://www.milannews.it/?action=read&idnotizia=103373

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 6 2013, 09:12 PM

Any clue how good he actually is?

Posted by: Jack Bauer Feb 6 2013, 09:16 PM

No idea. Doubt we have anyone here who watches Serie B regularly.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 6 2013, 09:25 PM

I'm pretty sure Blue will pop out and say he'll be world-class in two years time.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Feb 6 2013, 10:16 PM

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2013/02/ac-milan-chasing-azzurri-defensive-trio/

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 6 2013, 10:57 PM

Abate can piss off to Zenit to shut up his whinging and use the money for Santon, he's awesome.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Feb 6 2013, 11:03 PM

? Don't remember him complaining.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 6 2013, 11:05 PM

I'm all for Santon. He's really great, and I'd enjoy rubbing Moratti's face once again.

Posted by: dst Feb 6 2013, 11:09 PM

Is Santon playing well then?

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 6 2013, 11:33 PM

Very well. It is not common for me to praise Newcastle players either.

Posted by: dst Feb 6 2013, 11:49 PM

I should have noticed.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 6 2013, 11:56 PM

Yeah, weird Kurt would say that.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 7 2013, 12:09 AM

I was under the impression he was annoyed the deal didn't go through.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Feb 7 2013, 12:16 AM

No, Abate didn't talk about it at all. His agent said that http://www.football-italia.net/30231/abate-ag-media-stopped-zenit-move, but he was probably sad about lost commission.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 7 2013, 12:24 AM

Yep. Abate hasn't said a single word about it. In fact, I'm 100% certain that he wants to stay with us. Who would choose Zenit over Milan?

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 7 2013, 12:26 AM

I have no idea where I got that from then. Probably misheard someone.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 7 2013, 11:15 AM

Kurt did you watch Italy vs Holland?

Abate was great throughout the game, both defensively and offensively, he should have also had an assist had Osvaldo not missed the absolute sitter Abate provided him with at the end of the game. Santon was also playing on the other side

The difference in quality was pretty obvious.

The only reason I would get Santon is if he's our LB, certainly not at the expense of Abate or a future spot for DS

Add to that, as the people above have told you. Abate never once mentioned Zenit, nor that he wanted any extensions or pay increases. He's always worked hard for this shirt and is one of the last few players that I can personally still identify with as being part of what Milan stands for, selling him off makes absolutely no sense

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Feb 7 2013, 11:42 AM

For footballing reasons no one ... But a lucrative deal would blur the vision of someone thinking along those lines

Posted by: acid911 Feb 7 2013, 12:30 PM

What do you mean? Selling him off makes absolutely perfect sense!

Posted by: han2503 Feb 7 2013, 12:54 PM

I sense sarcasm

Posted by: acid911 Feb 7 2013, 02:01 PM

You sense right, my good friend. You sense right.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 7 2013, 02:43 PM

Selling Abate makes no sense.

On a separate topic, there are a couple of interesting articles relating to FFP on the Italian edition of goal.com. Apparently the EU is asking FIFA to impose some sort of tax on transfers above a certain amount. Also, UEFA is looking at adding a rule to stop the loophole that PSG has been using to get around FFP.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 7 2013, 03:37 PM

If it means we can use th emoney to get Santon, keeping Abate makes no sense.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 7 2013, 05:14 PM

You make Santon sound like he's the Maicon of a few years ago FFS!

Abate is better than him, simple as. He hasn't even played at RB in years as well.

The only reason we should sell Abate in the future is if DS manages to get better than him and we can use the money from Abate to get a proper LB.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 7 2013, 05:18 PM

All I can say is you've obviously not seen Newcastle much over the last 18 months. Even my Newcastle fan friends both think he's about their best player after Cabaye.

Santon is better than Abate going forward, he's better defensively by a laughable distance and he has versatility which is always good.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 7 2013, 05:33 PM

I just cannot argue this with you when you so clearly underrate Abate and most Milan players for that matter.

I'd take Santon at LB GLADLY. But cerainly not at the expense of weakening the right side.

As for us selling Abate and actually re-investing that money properly. I think you should be schooled enough in the art of this management. No way they would sell Abate and re-invest the same amount to get Santon, and I'm sorry, he's just not as good as Abate, neither defensively or offensively.

I've seen Newcastle enough, maybe not as much as you do but I've watched a decent amount of games of theirs. He's a good player, I never said anything to the contrary, but he's not worth sacrificing Abate over - not even theoretically, because like I said the management would never cash in on Abate simply to spend around the same amount on someone else. Abate is on a small pay package, always works hard, a youth product, still at a very good age and most importantly is constantly improving.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 7 2013, 05:55 PM

Well I disagree competely. He's a superior now and by WC2018 he'll be the best full back in World football. Probably at Juventus if we don't get him this summer.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 7 2013, 06:03 PM

But Santon is a LB. If we sell Abate for him, that means we're stuck with only DS as RB, which is very risky not to mention pointless.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 7 2013, 06:17 PM

Well, he plays both full back positions.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 7 2013, 06:19 PM

But he's been playing as LB for years now, so it's a given that he feels much more confident and gives his best there.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 7 2013, 07:05 PM

that's true.

Posted by: KillerMax Feb 7 2013, 07:14 PM

I think the right thing to do would be to keep Abate and De Sciglio and buy Santon in the summer. Now that would be one of the best FB situations around. De Sciglio will get plenty of chances as a rotation player for both RB & LB roles.

Posted by: acid911 Feb 7 2013, 07:17 PM

That is why it will never happen.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 7 2013, 07:38 PM

I think you're exxagerating Santon's ability.

No doubt he is a good player, but in no way what you claim him to be. Best FB in world football? It's a stretch. And he's not superior now either. You think Abate is so bad that you would want DS playing ahead of him now, that's how much you severely underrate him.

If we get Santon, I'd only want him for the LB position AND while Abate is here as well.

That would be a really strong FB situation, I agree. But weakening one side to strengthen another is simply pointless, because Santon would only come in at LB, and you admit this yourself that it's basically become his preferred position.


Exactly, and as acid said, it's probably the reason why it would never happen. It's too smart and logical for our management to be able to carry out.

I wonder what Santon would cost, probably along the same lines as Abate imo. The management would never spend over 10m for a FB no matter how good or needed he is. And if Abate is sold do not expect that money to be re-invested wisely. We'd probably see the usual terrible signing and the rest going into paying off depts

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 7 2013, 10:39 PM

I did say by the 2018 WC he'll be the best full bak in world football, not now.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 7 2013, 10:41 PM

In 2018 I'll be king of the world.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Feb 8 2013, 12:55 AM

Antonio Carlos, a 19 y.o CB from Corinthians, is mentioned as possible summer target.

http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/mercato/mercato/articoli/98243/milan-occhi-su-antonio-carlos.shtml

Posted by: han2503 Feb 8 2013, 08:40 AM

I know that you were talking about the future, which is why I said "And he's not superior now either."

By 2018 he could be playing for a mid-table side in Italy with no prospect of improving, or he could be part of any big side as their starting LB

You cannot predict these things, but I certainly don't see potential for best FB in world football in him, THAT is what I said is exxagerated

Posted by: Jack Bauer Feb 8 2013, 08:42 AM

exaggerated

Posted by: han2503 Feb 8 2013, 08:48 AM

It's xx

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 8 2013, 09:04 AM

I can predict these things. I say that Santon will be widely regarded as one of the best full backs in the World by the time the 2018 World Cup comes around and playing for a top team.


This is even more likely to happen.

Posted by: Bluesummers Feb 8 2013, 09:25 AM

So we are strongly linked with Van Ginkle in the summer. Apparantly Braida has identified him as our next Trequesta

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 8 2013, 10:15 AM

How good is he?

Posted by: Jack Bauer Feb 8 2013, 05:40 PM

http://dailymilan.com/news/ac-milan-transfer-rumors-february-to-june-2013/

Posted by: KillerMax Feb 8 2013, 06:07 PM

Nice site.

Jorginho and Quintero... hmm.. Anyone know anything about them?

Posted by: dst Feb 8 2013, 06:13 PM

If you calculate the average quality of unknown Milan transfers that past few years... I'd say his quality ranges from crap to absolute crap.

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Feb 8 2013, 06:47 PM

^ Awesome Jack B!

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 8 2013, 07:15 PM

Yeah, but now we have "a plan" and we "actually care about youth".

Posted by: dst Feb 8 2013, 07:26 PM

Do the scouts know about it?

Posted by: KillerMax Feb 8 2013, 07:43 PM

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 9 2013, 01:23 AM

We'll see with Salamon and that other guy.

Posted by: Bluesummers Feb 11 2013, 07:13 AM

I'm gonna love calling you guys hypocrites when you guys put them in your sigs and avatars in a couple years from now.

Posted by: Zed.D Feb 11 2013, 08:01 AM

Ironically one of the board members who seems to change their avatars a lot is you! most haven't changed theirs for a long time.

Posted by: Bluesummers Feb 11 2013, 09:13 AM

lol don't even give me that zed, i remember how you defended pato to the bone when he joined milan.

Keep makin' fun of our youth, just bear in mind that gattuso and pirlo were once considered our youth too

Posted by: Zed.D Feb 11 2013, 09:21 AM

What's that got to do with what I said? and when did I make fun of our youth?

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 11 2013, 12:07 PM

I don't think we considered Pirlo our youth. We were skeptical back then, but then Ancelotti re-invented his old position.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 11 2013, 03:42 PM

C'mon Blue, you're being the hypocrite now. You had Pato as your avatar for the first half of the season, yet when we sold him you were actually relieved about it.

You just love over-exaggerating when it comes to youth, as if we have these amazing scouts all over the world that never fail in their judgements. Do the names Grimi, Mattioni, Viudez, Cardacio, Didác etc. ring you a bell? We're not Udinese. We've messed things more than once in the past. So don't be such an *beep* if we're skeptical about any new "talents" we sign.

Posted by: Bluesummers Feb 11 2013, 05:33 PM

Your taking what I say out of concept way too much. I've always been optimistic about youth but very few players have I said they would be absoloutly dominant.

I said that about Silva.

I said that about fossatti, still too early to judge he's doing well in serie B right now.

I said that about Niang. I never said that about Salamon or really any others.



Remember theres a difference between "what I think" and what "journalists think"

Posted by: han2503 Feb 11 2013, 06:29 PM

You're most likely to be disappointed. A) I NEVER change my avi B} I REALLY don't see Niang as being good enough to tickle the fancy of people enough to change their avitars


Silva? NOT a youth. He came here after being in Europe already and failing for various reasons, most of which were out of his control. But Silva was already a VERY highly regarded player in Brazil when we signed him and he was no 18 year old either

Fossatti? I've yet to see him make any impact anywhere so far. We'll see if he'll even manage to make it into the first team. I'm more optimistic over a Cristante tbh

Niang?

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 11 2013, 07:05 PM

I think it's all a joke really. How many people here watch Milan youth games?

Posted by: Bluesummers Feb 11 2013, 07:53 PM

Silva was 24 and I still remember people were skeptical or dissapointed we didn't get defender x.

I'm done arguing with you han your a pessimist You've always been, that hasn't changed in the last 6 years. Just like when we signed Sharaawy you were pissed we let merkel go and deemed him too expensive. Now if we sell sharaawy your going to be pissed. It's never good enough for you.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 11 2013, 08:12 PM

What???

I was never even a huge fan of Merkel's FFS! I think you've got me confused with someone else.

A pessimist because a player has so far shown nothing to support your over the top declerations in regards to his future? I love the fact that we have El Shaaway and De Sciglio in this team. Players that have shown that they do in fact have a lot of potential for the future. I want to see the best for both, which is why I wasn't happy when DS was played in hard games and got shaken up in them, and it's why I'm even more unhappy to see a talent like SES being wasted.

But I'm sorry that I don't share your vision of what is a talented player that has a lot of potential. Niang for me is simply not that and seeing him hinder us out wide is what is driving me mad, and not the player himself per se.

You always do this blue, and I think enough people above here have named enough "talented" players for you that you were also excited about that turned into huge flops of nothing!

Never good enough for me? You know what's not good enough for me? Seeing this club being reduced to what it has under this directionless idiot of a coach we have.

We have a talented bunch of young players as well as a few experianced ones that should have been able to do a lot better in the league then we have. Languishing in the relegation zone for weeks is not what I call good enough. And we'll see how long we'll stay in 5th once the big guns come rolling in. THEN you can enlighten me on what's good enough blue.

Posted by: Bluesummers Feb 11 2013, 08:50 PM

I dont have you confused you critisize no matter what happens. I recall clearly that you called the management clueless for selling merkel to genoa for sharaawy as he had a lot of potential. You also said that we overpaid for an "unproven" youth.


Your critiscm of niang is unfound, he's very highly rated don't be foolish. Its not just by me. When I told the forum we bought him and he was going to be great, he was being scouted heavily by wenger which should be an indicator if someone has talent. He even did a trial at arsenal so there you go.

The majority of players that we get have the potential to make it big, that is called talented. I don't know what your definition of talented is.


In terms of the club i've shared my views on that but that isn't going to change. We can't spend money and if we dont' invest in youth we are f*cked. There is no other way, we are f*cked. So its either become like dortmunt and arsenal or die as a club. I know which one I would prefer.

The big guns? let them come the league is won by being consistent in all games over a period of time, not just performing in big games. If that was the case carlo would have won serie a every year.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 11 2013, 09:41 PM

Please! I urge you to find one post where I said this about Merkel!!

Like I said, I was never a huge fan of his! Yes, I thought we got scalped by Genoa on SES, and in reality that is true since we payed a lot for him plus added Merkel who is worth more than just peanuts even if I never got on the hype machine sarrounding him on this forum. Will SES turn out into a good investment considering that all in all we nearly shelled out a net worth of 20m for him? Most likely yes. I believe that he has the talent to be worth more than that. I believe in him because he HAS shown me that he can be huge for us, and not just this season but last season as well in his sparodic showings.

I criticise everything you say?

Just because I absolutely hate what Allegri has turned us into and fail to see the splendor that is Niang? Very mature retort blue.

And I didn't know Wenger was the be all end all to youth in football. And by your admission then surely he wasn't good enough to tckle Wenger's fancy if he had a trail and Arsenal didn't sign him afterwards

And youth is not the answer to everything. You need a balance of both youth and experiance. Why would I want to be Arsenal? They don't win anything and when their players mature enough they sell them to the highest bidder. That is not a football club. It's a business. Dortmund are a better model to follow, but at the end of the day, they still end up selling their best players when other team come calling.

As for how a league, or in this case 3rd, is won. If we lose the hard fixtures coming up against our DIRECT opponents for third then we would see ourselves out of the running for that spot. It's that simple. The problem is that even if we had a good run in these last few months, our terrible start has backed us into a corner where we must win the games against our direct oppnents for third place. That means, winning the upcoming matches against Inter, Lazio, Fiorentina and even Napoli. Should we lose those games can you honestly tell me that you believe that we'd still be in the running for 3rd?

Posted by: Jack Bauer Feb 13 2013, 10:46 PM

http://www.football-italia.net/30722/milan-target-selcuk-inan

Posted by: han2503 Feb 13 2013, 11:06 PM

I think I've had it up to my eyeball with all the unkowns we keep being linked with.

If we want to do something noteworthy next season then we have to sign at least ONE established player, most importantly, he has to be a midfielder

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 13 2013, 11:09 PM

Agreed. But we need extra class, not just another Montolivo.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 13 2013, 11:09 PM

I thought he was gonna be another youngster, but 28 years old?

Posted by: han2503 Feb 13 2013, 11:25 PM

If we can manage someone even on the calibre of Monto I'd be happy, at least he's not another kid we won't use.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 18 2013, 05:58 AM

Not particularly fond of Allegri either, but there are times where I feel he is attacked a bit unfairly (after all, he did win us a scudetto, was recognized as "coach of the year", and has managed to get us back within sight of a CL spot - I am sure we caught a few breaks along the way, but I think he deserves some credit). In fact, I think Allegri could make a decent coach for a mid-table team. However, as Milan, we should aspire to a little more (even in our present state of affairs). IMHO Allegri has made some questionable tactical choices (it is more obvious this year when our squad is weaker, but AFAIAC it impacted us last year are well). Also (and more important) I don't think he is good at motivating and inspiring players (and this to me is the most important responsibility of a coach).

Like it or not, football is a business, has been this way for several decades and it is not likely to change (in fact, you probably have to go all the way back to the days of Pro Vercelli to find an Italian team winning consistently without solid funding). Few teams these days can afford not to sell players to fund new acquisitions, and many teams have managed to operate successfully while staying in the black. However, it takes time to build a team with this operating model, and youth has to be an important part of the project (can't be youth alone, but we need to start growing most of our stars).

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 19 2013, 01:54 PM

Berlusca: "We're interested in Verratti".

http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/calcio/calcio/articoli/99052/muntari-e-flamini-su-messi.shtml

Posted by: Zed.D Feb 19 2013, 06:09 PM

Great to hear that. I really hope selling PSG Ibra and Silva (and getting ripped off at it) has secured us some sort of privilege to sign Verratti before any other club (especially Italian) does - should he want to leave them.

Posted by: milanbuf88 Feb 19 2013, 06:30 PM

I don't have high hopes for getting Verratti but he is exactly what we need. Having only one creative midfielder on the squad is criminal at this level.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 19 2013, 06:55 PM

I doubt we'd be willing to spend the 20m or so it'd take to get him.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Feb 19 2013, 08:35 PM

If he will be available, I imagine Juve to be in this race too. He was linked to them many times in the past.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 20 2013, 01:49 AM

I do not believe he is available. According to his agent: "Marco is at the center of the PSG project, he is not moving"

(Source: <http://www.goal.com/it/news/7/calciomercato/2013/02/19/3764411/lagente-di-verratti-snobba-il-milan-marco-%C3%A8-al-centro-del>)

Posted by: dst Feb 20 2013, 04:49 AM

You think? How much do you think we should have got?

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 20 2013, 05:33 AM

Well we rejected an offer of 47m for Silva and then accepted a 60m bid for both. By that logic, we sold Ibra for 12m or less. We could've cut off one of his legs and he'd still be worth more than that.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Feb 20 2013, 05:54 AM

I think there is a lack of knowledge there ... People are not taking into account the transfer fee PLUS wages, they just look at the transfer fee. I think, and considering FFP is in full swing, we got a lot more than what any other club would have paid for the lot.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 20 2013, 06:09 AM

When we rejected the initial 47m Silva's wages weren't as high. Then we gave him higher wages and sold them BOTH for only 13m more. If we take into account wages, it just shows the management are even less intelligent than we thought, since they'd offered him a new deal just recently!

I just noticed Kaka' signed a 6-year contract at Madrid. I thought his contract may be coming to an end but he still has 2.5 years left.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Feb 20 2013, 06:32 AM

Ok Kurt, this translates into two parts, as follows:

1) The management had to raise their respective wages to the new valuation from PSG in order to keep a hold of them. Those wages were not practical for Milan, as with FFP we could not afford those players. Hence the opportunity cost of letting them leave weighed more than keeping them.

2) The transfer price was not 90MM, nor a record breaker. But you have to take into account the wage factor, as the same replenishes Milan's cashflow position and allows us to accommodate more players going forward.


In closing, the issue is not isolated to the transfer price only. And thus our savings on both players is also taken into consideration, as we could simply not afford them going forward (unless they both agree to reduce their wages to 4MM respectively).

Posted by: Zed.D Feb 20 2013, 07:45 AM

Silva was priceless.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 20 2013, 08:41 AM

So it boils down to a bad decision by the management then?

You're saying that we rejected 47m as not enough. Then Silva had to be given wages to show he was worth more than 47m - wages we couldn't realistically afford, so we sold him after giving him them? Why not save the hassle AND make more money by selling him in the first place?

I wouldn't have minded as much to be honest, 60m for the 2 is still 60m. It was the bragging about saving wages that was pretty pathetic. Well done Silvio, you raised his wages by 10m and then "saved" 10m by selling him. Jesus.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 20 2013, 09:00 AM

This should be enough said!

Any further arguments you made and will make in the future are null and void R7

Posted by: han2503 Feb 20 2013, 09:07 AM

In reality had we sold them seperately to different clubs or even seperately to PSG we would have probably gotten around 75m for the 2 of them combined at the end of the day while STILL removing their wages.

PSG wanted Silva at all costs, Ibra was always peripheral to the deal and an imposed "clause" by Galliani as his wages were by far more problematic. They saw a STUPID opportunity and jumped at it.

If we haggled Leo for Thiago like any smart business men would do who are not well past their senile examination date then PSG would have easily offered more than 50m considering their initial bid was 47m!!

Ibra would have been an attractive addition to teams like PSG/City/Chelsea/Real Madrid/Bayern. We could have easily sold him for 25m to 30m. Selling a player who can single handedly win you big trophies for 12m is not only an insult to that player but an insult to the intelligence of the fans who you're tryng to fool, but also a slap in the face to them and your coach who you promised that you'd keep his important players.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Feb 20 2013, 09:17 AM

Not really

To break it down to you as simple as possible. Silvio wanted to keep Silva, as such he offered him a new contract with terms similar to that of PSG and hence rejected PSG's initial bid.

Another offer came in for both Silva and Zlatan, the same gave Milan the opportunity to save wages on the long run on both these players and that is where it all boiled down to. Not something isolated to Silvio looking good, but the new deal being too good to turn down. As for Milan to rebuff the new offer, Zlatan's wages would have to be amended as well and as such we would never have been able to rebuild, until both contracts expired.

In the long run, and considering the wage cap set at 4MM, you have a lot more room to maneuver with rebuilding considering you don't have those Galactico wages on your books.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Feb 20 2013, 09:22 AM

I speak in finance because I have a background in finance since graduating from college in 2003 and working in both credit and investment to-date ... I think that null and voids all your arguments in that aspect

Posted by: han2503 Feb 20 2013, 09:30 AM

That is just the most egotistic and truely baseless statement I've seen from you EVER!

What does your background in finances have to do with this? Are you the accountant on staff for Milan? If no, then you basically know as much as we do. Presuming you know more about things just because you have a background in a specific sector is just...

Also, throwing the word FFP around does not automatically make your arguments correct.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Feb 20 2013, 09:44 AM

Well, you were the one who deemed my future arguments as null and void in the first place

Secondly, I am not an accountant for Milan but I do read Milan's financial statements and analyze them on this very forum for two seasons straight. I did my homework and I know more about Milan's financial state than you do. That is how my background in finance has to do with this.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 20 2013, 10:27 AM

I said that simply because no matter how much you harp on and on in defense of Silvio and Galliani, the writing's on the wall. So everyone can see how terrible the decisions made aside from you simply because you bother to read a bunch of numbers at the end of the fiscal year?

And just because you read those it does not mean you can understand what is going on behind the scenes on in their heads.

I'm not even saying we SHOULDN'T have sold them given the fact that the financials of this club have been in the sh!tter for a while now, I'm saying it should have been done in a smarter manner something that our management seem incapable of doing lately. And you defending them by throwing around FFP excuses just irks me because it's justifying all the mistakes they've made. For once just admit that they went about something in the wrong way and be done with it

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Feb 20 2013, 11:16 AM

At least I read



Tell me, since you see me defending them ... In what manner should our shitty management be doing business. Please explain to me how.

How am I to admit? How is it bad business?

Posted by: dst Feb 20 2013, 12:05 PM

Oh... I did not know about that first offer.


I love him.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 20 2013, 02:02 PM

I read your drivel, that does not make me anymore knowledgable then I was before this morning

I already explained above how the Ibra Silva situation should have been handled, but like always you only comprehend things on personal selection. Even you know what I said makes more business sense then how it was handled in reality. Choosing not to accept it and continueing to write FFP in every other sentence won't really change that

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 20 2013, 02:57 PM

This is just BS! Stop throwing lies to our faces, R7. Neither Ibra nor Silva demanded a wage increase. If Silva's agent hinted at such a thing, we would have easily concorded with the player himself that raising wages was not an option given our pre-imposed roof of €4 million, and given the brilliant man Silva was and his undying love for Milan, he would have easily agreed to such a thing. Silva was never in it for the money, and Ibra was already earning a shitload of cash with us.

The only reason we increased Silva's wages was to use it as an excuse for selling him, and then Silvio could brag about how much money we saved by selling them, since it was obvious that the fans were going to be furious with the management. That's all there is to it. You might be right about FFP and other stuff, but don't bring up the wages argument anymore!

Posted by: maldini03 Feb 20 2013, 08:02 PM

At the end of the day they are both gone, and as much as I miss watching Nesta and Silva man our back line, its time to look to the future.
I think Ogbonna would be an ideal cb choice for the future. I wish we were able to snatch Ranocchia up from Inter when he hit that patch of bad form. CB is to me our most pressing position to be filled. Its about time our primavera starts chugging out the next generation of world class defenders. All we hear about are the young attacking players and midfielders who are ready to make the jump, DS as the exception.

Posted by: drucurl Feb 20 2013, 10:44 PM

wrong thread ...sorry

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 21 2013, 05:36 AM

It is very easy to rant and rave about "management" without having a solid understanding of what goes on behind close doors. Losing Ibra and Silva was very painful (I will not deny that), but IMHO it was a necessary step towards re-building the team on a more solid financial basis, so in the long term it was a Good Thing.

Could we have gotten a better deal for them? Maybe, but we will never know for sure. My guess is that we insisted on making Ibra a part of the deal (meaning PSG was only really interested in Silva). You say we could have gotten more money for Ibra, but I am not so sure, as there aren't that many teams with (1) enough money to afford him and (2) a "project" that would have been interesting to Ibra (meaning opportunity to win championship as well as CL). Either way, we are not likely to ever find out the truth (so all we are left with are opinions, and AFAIAC your opinion is as good as mine).

At the end of the day, (like it or not) football is a business, and IMHO "management" did the right thing in this case.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 21 2013, 05:40 AM

Indeed, we should move on. I am sure we can find some other reason to complain about "management" :-).

I kind of like Ogbonna, not sure about Ranocchia.

Personally I think midfield is a bigger problem right now.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Feb 21 2013, 05:55 AM

No you don't make business sense han, I'm sorry but you just don't and that is why I can not accept your arguments.

How on earth are you to know how and what happened behind the closed doors, to judge what happened with the Zlatan and Silva issues? And how are you, a student, with no experience at managing a club let alone a top flight club with constrained financial capacity going to call out a PhD holder with over 30 years in the game as a buffoon? and look legitimate after doing so?

I love you like a brother, that I do and I respect your opinion on this forum, given the years we've been here ... But that does not mean I have to jump at every post I disagree with you on.

However, this issue in particular I have done extensive research on and stated a long while back that we could not afford a top team. And that it was the president Silvio Berlusconi that funded our stellar team.

You don't have to buy into FFP, and I am using it as a liaise with our current financial state as the ONLY rational outlet to why we have such a low quality team in comparison to pre-FFP.

Time will tell and you know fully well where we are headed, whether you disagree or not, the club is headed in a certain direction - The reason you are frustrated is because you can not comprehend this direction the club is taking

But to each his own then.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 21 2013, 05:58 AM

I have read a number of your posts, and you seem to have a solid handle on business reality :-). My background is engineering and not finance, but I have been around long enough to know that money drives most decisions, and that things from the inside look very different than from the outside. I believe this applies to football as well.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 21 2013, 06:07 AM

I am not sure FFP is the main motivation behind the decisions that have been made recently. In fact, it may just be a convenient excuse. I believe the real issue is that Berlu has decided to stop bankrolling the team (or perhaps his kids have decided for him). As a result, he is trying to operate the team on a more solid financial basis. Maybe he wants to sell (which will be a lot easier to do if the team is not leaking money). Either way, our operating model was not healthy (and probably not sustainable in the long run), so I believe we are doing the right thing.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Feb 21 2013, 07:12 AM

And the main functions of the FFP support Berlusconi in not investing any further in the club, seeing as the club accumulates losses on a very consistent basis. Something which is worrying. A sound assessment is what you made, in that Berlusconi (or his children for that matter) could very well be willing to sell off the club in full or part. Just that it needs to be profitable and healthy to attract investors and meet a more promising valuation. At the end of the day, who would buy a loosing business.

Regardless of the intentions, Milan is a healthy club today as opposed to last year for instance. This, taking into account wages are capped at 4MM each. Only downside here is the revenue stream; seeing as we don't have the influx of fans to the stadium that we used to, moreover it could also be affected by the slow-down in demand for merchandise and broadcasting rights (FYI, historically broadcasting has been the main contributor to our top-line). I am very eager to see what our results will be come April.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 21 2013, 08:29 AM

I think we are in full agreement. Revenues are a concern, as is our ability to build back a competitive team with our current operating model. Yet other teams have managed, so there is hope. For sure it will not happen overnight.

Meanwhile, let's enjoy the moment. I would have never expected to win 2-0 against Barca, certainly not this year. But we did it. Let's hope we can survive the onslaught at Camp Nou ...

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 21 2013, 10:16 AM

Eh, I didn't say anything about whether we could have gotten more money from the deal or not. My only concern with R7 regards his wages statement, which he likes to throw in every now and then. Other than that, I think most of his points are valid.

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 22 2013, 09:52 PM

Sorry, looks like I picked the wrong post for my reply :-)

Posted by: Forza Milan! Feb 22 2013, 09:52 PM

Looks like Allegri will be moving to Roma next year. (Source: goal.com.)

Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Feb 22 2013, 11:11 PM

Hasn't he only played a half season in Serie A?

Posted by: KillerMax Feb 23 2013, 12:01 AM

Ogbonna? He played 4 games in 06-07 in Serie A, 19 games in 08-09 and however many he has played this season so far.

Posted by: Bluesummers Feb 24 2013, 10:22 AM

19 m hahaha what a joke.

Posted by: Bluesummers Feb 25 2013, 08:26 PM

Milan make an offer of 8 million euros for bojan. Buyout is 15 million

Galliani: "Our plan is to be able to deliver one player from our youth sector to the first team every year."

Galliani: "Cristante will be a part of the first team next season. He deserves it."

Posted by: han2503 Feb 25 2013, 10:15 PM

I think that would be a fair sum for Bojan, certainly not worth the 15m Barca are asking at this point.

Given the glimpses he's shown for us this season when given the chance he'd be a very good addition if given the proper time

I like Cristante, but we still need to get one CM in this summer who is able to play both with Monto or as his sub

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 25 2013, 11:22 PM

Verratti.

Posted by: KillerMax Feb 26 2013, 12:33 AM

I would actually really REALLY like Pogba for Milan. Especially right now with Allegri. He would fit in SO well here and would add another dimension to our attacking play. But it's just a wish. Nothing more.

Posted by: Zed.D Feb 26 2013, 10:05 AM

Pogba? the Juve player? who they're marketing as the next big thing for them? isn't that an impossibility already? I'd rather think about Verratti.... young, talented and Italian. perfect.

Posted by: KillerMax Feb 26 2013, 12:03 PM

But it's just a wish. Nothing more.

Posted by: Zed.D Feb 26 2013, 01:12 PM

Wish something that makes sense!!!

Posted by: KillerMax Feb 26 2013, 02:33 PM

I wish you and Pogba get married and you have his kids.

Posted by: KillerMax Feb 26 2013, 02:36 PM

I wish you both a long and healthy sex life.

Posted by: KillerMax Feb 26 2013, 02:36 PM

I wish you name one of you kids Pato like your other crush.

Posted by: KillerMax Feb 26 2013, 02:38 PM

I wish you then use your powers of persuasion as the mother of his children to convince him to come to Milan.

Posted by: KillerMax Feb 26 2013, 02:38 PM

Problem solved.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 26 2013, 04:06 PM

Posted by: dst Feb 26 2013, 04:20 PM

hahahaha

Posted by: Zed.D Feb 26 2013, 04:50 PM

^^ hahahah? you should ban his *** for quintuple post!

Look who's talking. you publicly blow dst on this forum on a regular basis.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Feb 26 2013, 06:24 PM

http://www.football-italia.net/31242/milan-looking-ogbonna-lodi

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2013/02/ac-milan-fighting-for-valencia-defender/

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 26 2013, 08:39 PM

Exactly.

There is a slight chance we could get Verratti though. With Pirlo, Poga, Machisio and Vidal still with a lot left in the tank (Pirlo could easily play that role into his 40s, in my opinion) I can't see them signing yet another CM.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 26 2013, 08:46 PM

Hmm.

Both complete dreams, but as they're seemingly never playing when I watch, I'd love us to sign Robben and Sanchez as wide players.

Sanchez - El Sha - Robben
---------- Balotelli ----------

DO IT SILVIO, SPEND YOUR MONIES!

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 26 2013, 09:02 PM

El Sha behind the strikers? In what universe?

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 26 2013, 09:19 PM

When we played 2 up top that's essentially where he plays anyway. He drops very deep for a forward. Would certainly be more effective there IMO, doesn't have the pace or quick feet to be a wide player.

Posted by: dst Feb 26 2013, 09:35 PM

Yes, ha.ha.ha!!!

You enjoy watching so stop complaining.

Posted by: Zed.D Feb 26 2013, 09:47 PM

So you confirm it that Max is a she? or is that you? or are you both gay?

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 26 2013, 09:50 PM

Balotelli drops much deeper than El Sha. SES should play as close to the goal as possible, since his finishing is amazing. Not in a CF kind of way, but he shouldn't be wasted on the wing.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 26 2013, 10:37 PM

Fair enough. I wouldn't disagree with that either.

Posted by: maldini03 Feb 26 2013, 10:49 PM

I could see El Sha playing as a sort of Sheva role. He likes to start out wide, but I think we would be more dangerous if him and Balo play like Sheva and Crespo circa 2005. All we need is a traditional playmaker playing behind them, someone like a Pastore who can see that final pass but is still a dangerous shooter. Perhaps if we pick up someone like Verratti who can be the creative force in Midfield, we can afford to move Monto forward. Maybe the two could even interchange over the course of the game.

I wish we could clone a Rino and work on his passing, because his energy and marking ability is something I miss. With a midfield of Boateng Verratti and a classic destroyer maybe Noce. I think we could be an amazing team. I like the idea of Ogbonna too.

Posted by: dst Feb 27 2013, 12:42 AM

All of if is true.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 27 2013, 12:44 AM

I did not expect such comments from Zeddie!

Posted by: KillerMax Feb 27 2013, 12:48 AM

I love dst like the deserts miss the rain. And I love gay people. They make this world oh so much happier.

If we were to get Verratti for the price tag of €30m-€40m that's been stamped on his head, I reckon he can play in the midfield three with Montolivo and Nocerino:

Nocerino Verratti Montolivo

Welcome to the modern game.

Posted by: dst Feb 27 2013, 12:59 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl7miKGZ0Tk

Posted by: KillerMax Feb 27 2013, 01:04 AM

Posted by: Zed.D Feb 27 2013, 08:53 AM

30-40 million??

That midfield looks good, but no chance of it happening under Allegri or perhaps any other Italian coach. it's too un-defensive.

Posted by: KillerMax Feb 27 2013, 09:18 AM

“There is no chance of any club signing him, especially as he is now worth no less than €30m or €40m…”

-Leonardo

Posted by: KillerMax Feb 27 2013, 10:42 AM

FI

Could be exciting. 20 mill though? We'll offer 12 probably.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Feb 27 2013, 11:19 AM

No even 12MM. I mean if Balotelli came for 20MM, and Balotelli is someone proven at 22 years old.

Posted by: KillerMax Feb 27 2013, 11:29 AM

But there was good reason for his "low" price tag because he was a proven troublemaker and most teams didn't wanna touch him and he didn't want just any team either. He was weighing heavy on them in the locker room. We got Cassano for free. Doesn't mean he was worth nothing.

But in a way I agree that we probably shouldn't pay that much for him either. Unless heavy scouting and research has been done and they are sure about the player. If they are asking 20 mill though, they probably won't sell under 12 either.

Posted by: X-Offender Feb 27 2013, 03:44 PM

Agreed, Balotelli is a separate case.

If they want €12 million, I'm sure Galliani can snatch him for, say, €8 million.

Posted by: CHU-LIP Feb 27 2013, 04:52 PM

I am not sure. Is Pazzini worth over 7 mio?

Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 27 2013, 05:37 PM

I think so. His record over the past 6/7 years is very good (last season his 1 bad year) and relative performers have gone for that price/more. 7m is not much in football anymore.

Posted by: han2503 Feb 27 2013, 06:10 PM

Is Pazzini worth 7m + a player like Cassano though? Definately not, especially now for us when we have Balo.

Posted by: Bluesummers Mar 4 2013, 11:24 AM

Galliani:


"The market? Robinho will only only go to Santos. He will either go there or stay at milan. We are happy to have him."

"Saponara will play as an attacker"

"We already have our targets identified."

"Bertolacci? We'll see"

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Mar 4 2013, 03:13 PM

We have our targets identified??!! Foresight and Milan in the same sentence. Blow me down!

Posted by: William405 Mar 4 2013, 03:20 PM

Posted by: Bluesummers Mar 6 2013, 03:37 AM

News:

Yes we have identified targets

-Galliani met with pizza man preziosi (genoa preisdenteee) about juraj kucka and bertolacci. Its reported that kucka will be here next season with bertolacci right now sitting at 50%.


-Jorginho will be also arriving this summer as we have an agreement in place with verona for the talented defender.


tmw

Posted by: Jack Bauer Mar 6 2013, 04:12 AM

midfielder.

We are also linked with Ogbonna and Strootman.

Posted by: Bluesummers Mar 6 2013, 04:35 AM

yeah midfielder lol I should have read what i posted lol.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 6 2013, 09:58 AM

These are "meh" sort of rumours


Now these rumours on the other hand are very encouraging.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 6 2013, 04:23 PM

I know I slated Kucka here a few months ago, but he's actually been pretty good this season. And being good at a crappy team like Genoa isn't easy. Wouldn't hurt having him here next season if he's coming cheap.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 6 2013, 05:47 PM

Still if there's a possibility of getting Strootman, then I don't see any use for him, especially since we'd then have DJ, Kucka, Strootman and Ambro for one position.

I'd rather get Strootman (especially if there is the possibility of lowering the asking price with Urby) and a creative CM/AM

Posted by: Jack Bauer Mar 6 2013, 11:30 PM

Posted by: Bluesummers Mar 7 2013, 01:14 AM

News:

-Allegri is on the verge of getting a new deal as Galliani is currently going through the fine print of the new contract which will keep allegri at milan until 2016.


-Jorginho will be a Milan player this summer as milan has reached an agreement for his co-ownership.


-Milan are currently negotating a possible deal for Juraj Kucka of Genoa Fc. The midfielder has had a terrific season this year and could move to milan in a similar fashion as Kevin Constant and Boateng.


-Roma and Athletico Madrid have both approached Abbiati. The 36 year old goalkeeper's contract is finished June. Milan are currently looking to offer him an extention but it is unclear whether Abbiati himself wishes to finish his last years at AC Milan.


-According to the Italian media, negotations are currently underway for Angelo Ogbonna. Torino's president will sell him this summer. We are linked.


-We are linked with Pescara's Quintero as several milan scouts have given a good review of the colombian youngster. Galliani is fond of the youngster after seeing his performance this season in Serie A.



-The italian media believes that our primary goal this summer will be to bring in one quality CB and one quality CM.


-We are linked with Luiz Gustavo for 13 million.



tmw/mn/fi/goal/cm/sky

Posted by: Bluesummers Mar 7 2013, 01:16 AM

News:


Inter are currently in deep fiancial troubles as the club is suffering from a potential 60 million euro defecit come the end of the season. If Inter fail to reach a champions league position in the table, the defecit will increase to 90 million.


Milan could see profits at the end of the season if they finish in a champions league position and progress past the Round of 16.



MS

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 7 2013, 02:08 AM

If we get rid of Abbiati we'll need a new keeper. Amelia is nothing but backup material.

Posted by: Bluesummers Mar 7 2013, 02:16 AM

abbiati is pretty shocking too.

we need a new starting keeper. I hope we get that Perin kid that plays for pescara. He's good and owned by genoa.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 7 2013, 11:38 PM

I'm not sure he's the right pick. I like youngsters very much, but when it comes to keepers and big clubs, I'd rather have an experienced and tested starter.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Mar 7 2013, 11:46 PM

How about Marc-Andre ter Stegen? He's highly rated by many.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 7 2013, 11:48 PM

I heard he's been linked a lot with Barca this season. He'd come at an asking price that we couldn't match. I'd prefer picking someone who might not be as good now but is showing potential for improvement. Too bad we missed out on getting Marchetti when he was on the cheap because of bad performances.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Mar 7 2013, 11:54 PM

Don't know about his price, but if he's as a good as advertised at just 20 y.o, it will be a good idea to invest in someone who can close this position for many years.

Handonovic is the one who we missed out on. Inter payed only €11M for him. A steal for such a great and underrated keeper.

Posted by: acid911 Mar 8 2013, 12:05 AM

+∞ I was screaming my heart out here in the forums to buy him a few years back. A great and underrated keeper you say? He's the greatest in Serie A currently. What he has is not just that swagger (along with performance) that makes a stopper great, he also commands his presence in the defense.

Which is what we need with recent keepers like Dida, Abbiati, and Amelia. We need someone that screams and shouts, organizes the defenders, and controls the area instead of just routine saves and routing unsaves, for the lack of a better word. Truly agree we missed out on him, big time.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 8 2013, 05:06 PM

Chelsea are interested in Niang.

http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/mercato/mercato/articoli/11787/pillole-di-calciomercato.shtml

Posted by: han2503 Mar 8 2013, 07:13 PM

15m and we'll gift wrap him

Posted by: dst Mar 8 2013, 07:19 PM

Those Chelsea scouts in Italy are certainly not watching any games.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 8 2013, 08:28 PM

I'd even sell him for 10m.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Mar 8 2013, 10:16 PM

And buy 1,250 Merc A class

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 8 2013, 10:27 PM

Hell yeah!

Posted by: Bluesummers Mar 9 2013, 07:48 PM

He's 18 lol you guys are mad.
Wait till he's 23 and a flop like Pato then sell him

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Mar 9 2013, 08:01 PM

Ouch

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 9 2013, 09:16 PM

Meh...

Posted by: Zed.D Mar 9 2013, 10:19 PM

Posted by: William405 Mar 10 2013, 08:34 PM

I can't say he blows me out of the water, but if our scouts and managment sees something in him then maybe we should support him.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 10 2013, 08:40 PM

I think there's been one too many misses in the past to do just that.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 10 2013, 08:41 PM

Pato wasn't a flop, he's a tragic story of a player who had incredible talent and potential that was ruined because of physical problems.

I fail to see where any of this talent or potential is in Niang

Thus, if we can somehow get a ridiculous sum off of a desperate Chelsea for him because of this ridiculous hype sarrounding Niang then we should take the money and run

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 10 2013, 08:49 PM

+1

Posted by: han2503 Mar 10 2013, 08:54 PM

Or we should ask for a drect swap for Torres

Personally I think Torres could still be good in a league like Serie A where things are slightly slower and techinical ability is valued more then physical ability. He can't stay at Chelsea if he wants to save his career that's for sure.

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Mar 10 2013, 09:50 PM

As much as I love the fantacalcio, but Milan and Spanish strikers don't go well together. Case in point Jose Mari ..

I think Torres should go back to la liga and get back to the level he was at. That's the league that suits him the most.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 10 2013, 10:01 PM

Don't forget Javi Moreno as well

Posted by: han2503 Mar 10 2013, 10:42 PM

Still if we can exchange him for a dud like Niang and the sell him back for a decent amount to a Spanish side if he fails here, I think it would be a very good peace of business.

Yeah it is a bit of Fantacalcio but who knows, Chelsea seem like they'd want to get rid of him in the summer. A more likely scenario would be him + cash for Falcoa, but you never know if they get desperate...

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 10 2013, 11:19 PM

Naah, come on guys, you seriously think this is gonna happen? Fantacalcio.

I know we've turned the page, but hey, we're still not the team that buys a talent and then sells him right on the first sign of a bid. Those are just random rumors, I don't think it's anything remotely serious.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 11 2013, 03:56 PM

Chain reaction: Madrid and Mourinho will part ways at the end of the season. Mou's possible destination is a return to Chelsea. Madrid want Ancelotti to replace him, whilst PSG want Lucescu to replace Carletto. Thus, it is reported that Shakhtar will make a bid for Allegri, offering him €24 million in 4 years (€6 million per year).

http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/mercato/mercato/articoli/11787/pillole-di-calciomercato.shtml?refresh_cens

Posted by: Zed.D Mar 11 2013, 03:59 PM

And what happens to us?

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 11 2013, 04:15 PM

Posted by: Zed.D Mar 11 2013, 04:18 PM

Whoever invented that story should've thought about what would happen to us. damn irresponsible!

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Mar 11 2013, 05:57 PM

We will be fine, han can coach from next season onwards

Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 11 2013, 06:00 PM

If han does coach us next season, will I be able to insult him as a coach even if he's still a mamber of the forum?

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 11 2013, 06:03 PM

Nah, han would make a great coach, you wouldn't have reason to insult him.

Posted by: KillerMax Mar 11 2013, 06:23 PM

He actually would.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 11 2013, 06:27 PM

I'd just come here to take tips off of you nobodies while I get paid!

Posted by: Rossoneri7 Mar 11 2013, 06:48 PM

I want to see han call Muntari the names he does on the forum to his face

Edit: Scary thing of it all is I believe he actually would

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 11 2013, 06:58 PM

I believe han would show him the door right away.

Posted by: Zed.D Mar 11 2013, 07:50 PM

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 11 2013, 08:05 PM

Would Galliani hire him though

Here comes Van Basten/Donadoni

Posted by: han2503 Mar 11 2013, 10:29 PM

Well I wouldn't NEED to call him anything, I'd simply not play him. Easy as that


True story

Posted by: dst Mar 12 2013, 12:24 AM

Beniteeeezzzz!!!!!!!!

Posted by: TriniKing_CE Mar 12 2013, 04:38 AM

Ohh the horror!!!

Don't even joke about that!

Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 12 2013, 07:25 AM

After failing with Inter and Chelsea, you'd think he wouldn't land another big job for a little while, I hope.

Posted by: maldini03 Mar 14 2013, 01:49 PM

Here's hoping we get Mazzari....

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 14 2013, 02:13 PM

I don't think he's Milan material to be honest.

Posted by: han2503 Mar 14 2013, 02:27 PM

Mazzari is an equal level of mediocre as Allegri.

It would be pointless, they're both small time coaches only Allegri has at least won something significant.

No if we want to make a step up then the choice in coach is crucial, and it can't be just a random pick just to say we made a change.

Guys, I'd personally like to see in the running are

Spaletti
Van Basten
Rijkaard
Heynckes
Montella
Maybe Donadoni

Posted by: maldini03 Mar 14 2013, 02:39 PM

What have Donadoni, and Van Basten done to prove that they are better coaches then Mazzari. Mazzari brought Samp to the CL qualifiers and has turned Napoli from pretender to contender. Montella and Spaletti are the two best names off of that list, and if I'm not mistaken Heynckes will be working in the Bayern back room next year. (Heard it during the game yesterday not sure of its validity.) What has Rijkaard done since his time at Barca?

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 14 2013, 02:44 PM

Heynckes is the best of the bunch. He's a winner, he's old but knows how to play modern football with a concept. He'd be a perfect fit.

Rijkaard is second for me from that bunch. He's proven but still has a lot to show since his career went south after Barcelona.

Spaletti - as you said for Mazzari - is Allegri level. He's a born loser, a constant second. I really don't want him around.

Basten turned out to be an amateur with Holland and ever since has to prove otherwise. Montella has great potential but I fear Fiorentina wouldn't let him go as they are a rare breed of clubs with a long-term program in Serie A.

Donadoni - hmh, I'm not sure. He's good with small clubs, but can he make the jump to a big team?

After Allegri we need a coach that thinks big. Someone who's affordable but who still is a winner and doesn't have to adapt to big club expectations and mentality.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 14 2013, 02:45 PM

He rejected that offer days ago.

Posted by: acid911 Mar 14 2013, 02:46 PM

Heynckes. Him and only him.

Posted by: acid911 Mar 14 2013, 02:47 PM

Napoli still are pretenders. When it comes to landing that killer blow they are always found lacking.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 14 2013, 02:49 PM

What I fear is the man isn't that up to a change with 67 years. But as he rejected a backroom offer I still hope he's in for a new adventure.

Posted by: maldini03 Mar 14 2013, 03:06 PM

I had only heard about it yesterday and they didn't say if he had accepted or not.


I agree as they haven't won the league and have not made much of a splash in the CL but, the way he developed their triad of Lavezzi Cavani Hamsik to be one of the more dangerous attacking lines in Europe can't be a fluke.

I think Montella is the most exciting coach, possibly in Europe at the moment, but like you aid Fillipo I don't think he and Fiorentina are ready to part ways just yet. I think we should try Tassotti and bring in someone like Inzaghi as his assistant. I think the young guys can look to them for that guidance that we need. Although, if they fail miserably and are run out of town then we lose two Milan legends...

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 14 2013, 03:31 PM

I still think han would be the best choice.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Mar 14 2013, 03:54 PM

I taught han everything he knows. If han is Carlo, I'm Sacchi.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 14 2013, 04:35 PM

Totally random post, but I was thinking about who we could sign this summer, and I came up with a pretty decent starting XI which I'd really like to see.

I know, plenty of inexperienced and unproved players, but we seem to be going that way anyway.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Mar 14 2013, 05:40 PM

I'd think of your formation as our 'reserve' squad. This is the kind of strength we should be capable of bring on off the bench. Not all of it of course.

For e.g Saponara by himself being the supply for Balotelli and El-Sha might be a lot of pressure in a 'big' game.

But 2 out of your 3 transfers - it's very viable. They way I see it, a purchase for Ogbonna and Strootman will cost us roughly around 30-35 million in total ? We can plausibly let go of Robinho for a 10 million fee?

If we can get a deal for Perin the season after next, and have Abbiati stretch for one more year, it ought to be fine.

-------Abate---Mexes--Ogbonna---DeSciglio----------
-----------------Strootman/Montolivo--------------------
-------Monto/Ambro----------Montolivo/Noce------
---------------- Boateng/Sapo------------------
---------Balo/Pazzo--------------SeS/Pazzo------------

Bench: Amelia, Zapata, Constant, Salomon..and all the optional players from above.


All the vids I see, have Sapo playing on the left, and cutting in, much like SeS. So not sure if he can adapt to the right.

Posted by: Lawbaba Mar 14 2013, 05:52 PM

I really don't think Ambro should be an option next season for us................he has nothing more to offer.

Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Mar 14 2013, 07:44 PM

Why has everyone written off NDJ as CDM? Especially over a Strootman who's turned us down 2 windows in a row. What? now that he knows the market isn't there for him he settles for us? no thanks...

Posted by: han2503 Mar 14 2013, 07:49 PM

Yeah, Ambro seemingly only has 1 game each season left to give renewing would be pointless especially if we have NDJ for next season.

And if there is any hope of getting Strootman then it's even more pointless

@ x-off, isn't Saponara more of a winger?

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 14 2013, 07:57 PM

I think he can play either as winger or trequartista. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYP4O-8yPZI is a good video of him.

Posted by: Zed.D Mar 14 2013, 08:51 PM

Someone Like You on a football clip? I'm sick of that song. ARGH!

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 14 2013, 08:57 PM

Hehe

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 14 2013, 09:14 PM

Yeah, I just mute it and put some songs of my own.

Posted by: KillerMax Mar 14 2013, 09:23 PM

Had never seen anything on Saponara. Looks very promising. I'm surprised actually.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 14 2013, 09:43 PM

But your line-up has only Mexes instead of Salamon, the rest is the same.



Aye, he looks really good. Granted, it's just a YouTube clip, but you can still see that the guy has class.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 14 2013, 10:41 PM

I think next season we should buy at least one experienced player. We need that kind of players around, hell even Wenger always relied on Ljungberg, Pires and guys like them.

So my call would be - snatch Frey, not Perin for starters

Posted by: Jack Bauer Mar 14 2013, 10:49 PM

We need at least two world-class players for next season. One in defence (CB) and one in midfield.

Posted by: dst Mar 15 2013, 12:00 AM

Yeah but Saponara does not sound like the name of a good footballer! (does anyone else do that, look at footballers' names and try to predict if they're gonna be good? )

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 15 2013, 12:29 AM

It sounds a bit like 'saponetta', which means 'soap' in Italian.

Posted by: Zed.D Mar 15 2013, 01:07 AM

Sounds more like 'soap opera' than saponetta to me.

Posted by: Jack Sparrow Mar 15 2013, 05:47 AM

I put in plenty of options. What I mean is that the youngsters would sort of be back-ups to our more established players.

I like Saponara, but I don't see him finding space. I think he players in the exact same areas as SeS, and while he plays differently, space would be an issue.

Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 15 2013, 08:06 AM

People in England do and the general them seems to be if it sounds foreign then they're going to be World class.

Posted by: Zed.D Mar 15 2013, 09:18 AM

Mattia Perin looks to have great potential but it bothers me that he's name is linked with Juve as well. not to mention foreign suitors who could easily outbid us, like Arsenal.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 15 2013, 12:25 PM

I don't fear foreign suitors that much. I'd bet things in Italy haven't changed that much and young players are still reluctant to go abroad, even if millions are offered.

Posted by: Zed.D Mar 15 2013, 01:01 PM

Yeah but don't you think that trend might have changed a bit with Verratti's and Sirigu's (with the latter coming out and saying he doesn't miss Italy). out there, there's better chance of success and way more $$$.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 15 2013, 01:06 PM

Slowly and gradually. France has always been kind of a sanctuary for Italian players; Roma, Simone, Ravanelli etc. But those are still special occasions.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 15 2013, 03:54 PM

Juve already have Buffon, I don't think Perin would like to go there and warm the bench.



I didn't find that much of a difference. Besides, you have to take into account that the various Abbati, Mexes, Ambrosini, Robinho etc. might possibly leave at the end of the season. And it's not like our experienced players are world beaters that cannot be replaced.

As for Saponara, I think we'll rely a lot on him. He's already 21, so it's not the same as with SES when he arrived from Serie B at only 17. And I don't think they cover the same areas. SES is a more of a striker, whilst Saponara has more trequartista-like attributes. He can play in the hole or on the right. Him, Balo, and SES should form a nice attacking line, whilst we wait for Mastour to complete puberty.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 15 2013, 04:04 PM

You know, Buffon is 35 and quite injury prone. Abbiati, Manninger, Storari all had a fair run during his various injuries. Perin would be glad filling in for Gigi before the eventually takes his place. I think it's very acceptable.

Posted by: Zed.D Mar 15 2013, 07:11 PM

Exactly. they could sign the kid and let him stay at Genoa for a season or two, then take him to Turin and replace Buffon with him in less important/Coppa matches.

I hope our good rapport with Genoa pays off this time as well.

Posted by: X-Offender Mar 15 2013, 07:12 PM

Or we could sign him instead.

Posted by: Jack Bauer Mar 15 2013, 07:14 PM

Won't surprise me if there might be some verbal agreement bettween Galliani and Preziosi about Perin's transfer already.

Posted by: Zed.D Mar 15 2013, 07:23 PM

Would love that but remember that we have Gabriel who is not exactly a nobody himself. I wouldn't be surprised to hear Galliani say that we won't move for Perin because we have Gabriel.

Posted by: acid911 Mar 15 2013, 07:29 PM

And for once he won't be wrong. Gabriel is good, if not outright great.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 15 2013, 07:32 PM

He is, really?

Posted by: Jack Bauer Mar 15 2013, 07:33 PM

Really? Till now he only played for Brazil under 20 and 23 teams. He hasn't even made a debut for Cruzeiro.

Posted by: Fillipo Simone Mar 15 2013, 07:36 PM

Yeah, and he wasn't convincing at the Olympics either.

Posted by: acid911 Mar 15 2013, 08:12 PM

No, I've seen him in enough matches. And well, unless we make that absolute killer buy, this guy can hold its own between the posts. Thing is, with young keepers, there are only a select few gems to pluck. Even Lloris, highly rated as he was, turned out to be just okay. And I know defenders and keepers inside out, I can see it in their eyes.

One that got away (big time, big big time) was Samir Handanović. And well, Buffon when he wanted to come here wouldn't have been too crazy an idea. Same with Cesar. Inter really know their way with keepers, even Juventus do. We haven't been nearly as lucky in this department.

Heck, a guy like Marchetti should have been playing of us, no questions asked, right now. Anyway, I also vividly recall a post I made about a few years back where I wanted us to sign Handanović. Fillipo actually wasn't too thrilled with the idea, saying keepers from keepers from that part of Europe were historically not all that special.

There are exceptions to (almost) everything I suppose, and Handanović has that special something. More importantly he has that swagger, confidence and leadership that separates the good ones from the great. Far too early to say the same for Gabriel, but he possess a personality, which I hope translates to something good.

Ultimately, though, if we can land anyone better, then yes, it's more than due, I agree.