[han2503]

The names we're linked with already sound depressing to say the least. Let's see what happens

[Fillipo Simone]

Let's. I'm really not in the mood for some preemptive negativeness.

[Rossoneri7]

It seems like the takeover will not happen. Lower your expectations lads, it isn't the end of the world.

[Fillipo Simone]

Why? What happened?

[han2503]

It seems like the takeover will not happen. Lower your expectations lads, it isn't the end of the world.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[William405]

I don't think anything is happening at all..that's the main problem. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Bee keeps postponing, and his backers seem shady at best..so yeah that's it.

This post has been edited by William405: Nov 27 2015, 10:39 PM

[han2503]

Still I think Silvio must have some guarantees considering he gave Galliani a big budget to spend (waste) this summer.

[William405]

Still I think Silvio must have some guarantees considering he gave Galliani a big budget to spend (waste) this summer.

Yeah, true..that's what's mind-boggling about all this.

[X-Offender]

I read it's going to close by the end of December.

[X-Offender]

Apparently Boateng has convinced the club to sign him in January.

Source: Gazzetta

Yay. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[han2503]

Apparently Boateng has convinced the club to sign him in January.

Source: Gazzetta

Yay. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Just goes to show how stuck we are. Galliani still being allowed to basically do whatever the f@ck he wants and it's why we'll never see the light at the end of this very dark and long tunnel

[X-Offender]

And I thought Mihajlovic had a winning mentality. But accepting Kucka and Boateng over Witsel or someone better is pretty pathetic.

[William405]

Such a confusing move. We clearly have a great attacking potential, and our defence has settled.. I don't understand why not invest to fill the puzzle in midfield.

[maldini03]

Well if today's game was any indication most of the fans are not happy with the quality of the midfield. At one point, Montolivo played a ball and the entire stadium was whistling.

Realistically, we will have little to no money to spend in January, and Boateng will be played off as a savior. Sad state of affairs really. I don't know who this management intends to bring in but I doubt it'll make big enough waves to really make something of this season.

With the collapse of this deal with Mr. Bee and the ending of the new stadium, where do we lay our hope now?

[Fillipo Simone]

What do you mean by ending the new stadium? Is the project delayed or?

I'm not sure how much we'll spend. Hell, I'm not sure why we spent that much money last summer in the first place. But yes, we need new midfielders. Our current roster is pathetic.

[X-Offender]

What do you mean by ending the new stadium? Is the project delayed or?

I'm not sure how much we'll spend. Hell, I'm not sure why we spent that much money last summer in the first place. But yes, we need new midfielders. Our current roster is pathetic.

The stadium project has been cancelled, at least for the time being. Barbara confirmed it yesterday.

And we did spend a lot this summer, 90 million to be precise. When was the last time we spent that much?

[han2503]

The stadium project has been cancelled, at least for the time being. Barbara confirmed it yesterday.

And we did spend a lot this summer, 90 million to be precise. When was the last time we spent that much?

90 million on some average guys, one top striker who has no service behind him and a potentially class CB.

All that money and we're still in the same state we were in last season. I don't know if there's still any money left to be spent, but I'm worried watching it go in Galliani's hands to waste once again, just like I was worried before last summer, and I was told that I was being too negative and that Galliani will come through if he has the financial backing.

The man has simply lost it, he's a running joke in the industry these days, he gets played for a fool on a regular basis, has marred the Milan name with a good amount of clubs who don't even take any interest from us in their players seriously, the mess over the Kondogbia and Martinez deals made us look like even bigger fools than we already were. And let's face it, his decision making when it comes to picking players has gone down the crapper

[X-Offender]

[...] just like I was worried before last summer, and I was told that I was being too negative and that Galliani will come through if he has the financial backing.

Do you really have to rub that in? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[han2503]

Do you really have to rub that in? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Well we did throw away 90m this summer, so I feel like it's a justified gloat (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy.gif)

[Forza Milan!]

Balotelli dreams of Mourinho at Milan

The title of the article is misleading, and I seriously doubt Mou would ever consider coming to Milan (especially right now). However, how would y'all feel if that was to happen?

[han2503]

Balotelli dreams of Mourinho at Milan

The title of the article is misleading, and I seriously doubt Mou would ever consider coming to Milan (especially right now). However, how would y'all feel if that was to happen?

I'd take him, I'm not a fan of his although I do admire him as a coach, he's exactly the type of character we need in our dressing room not to mention he won't stand for Galliani's antics in the transfer market. He'd want to have a say and he'd want us to heavily invest

That being said, not only would he not want to come, Galliani won't want a strong personality like that to deal with, he always tends to like the ones who bow to his will like Carlo and Allegri used to do. Seedorf, the one who spoke out the most was always seen as a threat by Galliani, he didn't want him from day one and he made sure to see him out as fast as possible

[Forza Milan!]

Money matters in today's world of sports but this shows how good management matters even more. Sadly, we have neither. It makes the fact that we squandered 90M all that more depressing.

[X-Offender]

Suso on loan to Genoa for 6 months. Boateng will sign in January.

Galliani: "With Boa, Menez and Balotelli we'll be stronger"

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[Fillipo Simone]

Suso. Yet another failed expectation.

[X-Offender]

Suso. Yet another failed expectation.

Who never really got a proper chance to show his worth, though.

[han2503]

Who never really got a proper chance to show his worth, though.

True, but I don't think he'll make it in Serie A. He's so lightweight. Also very selfish on the ball, which I think is down to having so few chances making him desperate to prove himself. But when he did get the opportunities he could have done better.

So there's nothing going around in terms of transfers?

Also seeing that we might sell Lopez! Which would be stupider than stupid. So we sell a top class keeper because a 16 year old is doing decently??? I'm sorry, but again, I have not been impressed by Donnarumma at all. He's a nightmare with the ball at his feet but still tries to do ridiculous sh!t with it. Overact the easy saves but fails on more difficult ones.

With Abbiati being the only other option, I just don't understand WTF is going on inside Galliani's head and also Miha's for dropping Lopez to play an unsteady kid in that particular position

[X-Offender]

True, but I don't think he'll make it in Serie A. He's so lightweight. Also very selfish on the ball, which I think is down to having so few chances making him desperate to prove himself. But when he did get the opportunities he could have done better.

So there's nothing going around in terms of transfers?

Also seeing that we might sell Lopez! Which would be stupider than stupid. So we sell a top class keeper because a 16 year old is doing decently??? I'm sorry, but again, I have not been impressed by Donnarumma at all. He's a nightmare with the ball at his feet but still tries to do ridiculous sh!t with it. Overact the easy saves but fails on more difficult ones.

With Abbiati being the only other option, I just don't understand WTF is going on inside Galliani's head and also Miha's for dropping Lopez to play an unsteady kid in that particular position

Over-exaggeration. Donnarumma has proved himself to be a very reliable keeper, and he's pretty good with his feet. Awful? What exactly are you on?

I still think Lopez shouldn't have been dropped, but what's done is done, and now Donnarumma will be our #1 GK, which I'm more than fine with. He's the least of our worries. What we should focus on is getting a quality right winger.

Rumors I've read so far:

- Cerci will be sold. Lopez, Zapata and Nocerino might follow as well.
- Boateng has been tried as right winger. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
- Montolivo might renew.
- Monaco will not keep El Shaarawy, and he will be returned to us, but we will find another solution for him as he's not part of the club's plans.
- Names we've been linked with recently: Lavezzi, Caceres, Ben Arfa, Izzo.

[X-Offender]

Oh, and the usual Witsel rumor for good measure. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[han2503]

Over-exaggeration. Donnarumma has proved himself to be a very reliable keeper, and he's pretty good with his feet. Awful? What exactly are you on?

I still think Lopez shouldn't have been dropped, but what's done is done, and now Donnarumma will be our #1 GK, which I'm more than fine with. He's the least of our worries. What we should focus on is getting a quality right winger.

I disagree, he' hasn't made any match winning saves, sure he hasn't committed huge errors, but there's a couple in him, and he has made a couple which have cost us goals mostly due to his positioning.

His decision making when coming out for the ball is nerve wracking at best and his on the ball monkeying about is worse. There have been situations where he only managed to save himself by a hair, either by trying to dribble the ball or make a pass out to a defender which puts him in trouble.

I'm sorry, but I don't call this reliable, he's just on the brink of making one huge error which will not only cost us but him as well, and I personally do not understand why we should be taking this risk when we have a perfectly fine keeper sitting on the bench who is miles better and has tonnes more experience. We're basically creating a problem for ourselves in a position where we should be the most secure, and in Lopez we had that.

[TriniKing_CE]

In addition to what X has stated, I've been seeing rumors circulating regarding:
De Jong to Leicester City
Fellaini to Milan
Lavezzi to inter (much more than AC at this time)

nothing else which I can recall at this time.

I'm seeing that Honda didn't get Milan's permission before giving his interview with the Japanese site Kyoto News where he spoke out against the club's management style & transfer strategy basically. He may get himself in some hot water due to it. *shrugs*

[TriniKing_CE]

Several sources (including ones from Brazil) have reported that Milan are leading the race to sign Atletico Mineiro centre back Jemerson.

I have no idea of him other than from searching the net:

http://www.whoscored.com/Players/130435

http://www.transfermarkt.com/jemerson/profil/spieler/258254

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jemerson

[maldini03]

I completely disagree han, I think that despite Lopez being a better keeper with the record to back that up, Donnaruma has completely made the position his own. Keepers don't usually show this much poise and promise at this age and I think he is a special talent. Furthermore I like that he is confident with the ball at his feet. I'll give you the point that during the game it gives me a heart attack when he is toying around with the ball, but Lopez is so much the opposite its like night and day. In the beginning of the season he was making me so angry with his inability to play the ball on the ground, combine that with the lack of skill in midfield and we were giving the ball away in our own half every time we passed the ball back, which was a lot. I'm not saying Donna is the reason we have gotten better since the start of the season, but having a keeper with ability on the ball is definitely a boon, as he is always an out for the defenders. He is also quick off of his line and ridiculously tall (6'5" !!!) for a 16 year old.

I don't necessarily agree with all of the hype that he is the next Buffon, mainly due to the fact that I rate Buffon as one of the best ever, but I do believe he has a bright future and playing him hasn't sacrificed our present situation. Goalkeeper is the least of our worries. With that being said, I say let him leave if he wants to, his contract is too big for a sub, and he is too good to be a sub. Last year he was great for us but I have the feeling he is perennially angry with our lack of success, especially coming from Real Madrid.

The names we are being linked with are hardly anything to get excited over, Felliani could be a decent player in Italy but not for anywhere near the amount of money that United wants for him. They simply bought him for way more than he is worth, a common problem in England, and now they refuse to get rid of him without recouping some of the losses. Would much rather spend the same kind of money on Witsel.

De Jong hasn't played and as much as I like him as a player and a strong leader, he doesn't fit into this team. We can simply not afford to play a midfielder with no skill going forward. I like the guy and I think in the right situation he is a good player, but not unless he is playing next to a few midfielders with creative/attacking skill, ala Gattuso under Ancelotti. Leicester is a good spot for him, I hope they win the Premier League, and he could help that push, let him go.

I've never seen this defender play, but the fact that they recognize that it is a need is at least comforting. I've also read rumors linking us to Banega which could be a good pick up for the right money.

The El Shaarawy situation is infuriating me, I have read that we are trying to get rid of Cerci which is good, but El Sha is a natural replacement for the wing. I still believe that he has the ability to be a good player and instead of spending the money on another player to potentially replace Cerci, why not just hang on to him.

[Forza Milan!]

I completely disagree han, I think that despite Lopez being a better keeper with the record to back that up, Donnaruma has completely made the position his own. Keepers don't usually show this much poise and promise at this age and I think he is a special talent. Furthermore I like that he is confident with the ball at his feet. I'll give you the point that during the game it gives me a heart attack when he is toying around with the ball, but Lopez is so much the opposite its like night and day. In the beginning of the season he was making me so angry with his inability to play the ball on the ground, combine that with the lack of skill in midfield and we were giving the ball away in our own half every time we passed the ball back, which was a lot. I'm not saying Donna is the reason we have gotten better since the start of the season, but having a keeper with ability on the ball is definitely a boon, as he is always an out for the defenders. He is also quick off of his line and ridiculously tall (6'5" !!!) for a 16 year old.

I don't necessarily agree with all of the hype that he is the next Buffon, mainly due to the fact that I rate Buffon as one of the best ever, but I do believe he has a bright future and playing him hasn't sacrificed our present situation. Goalkeeper is the least of our worries. With that being said, I say let him leave if he wants to, his contract is too big for a sub, and he is too good to be a sub. Last year he was great for us but I have the feeling he is perennially angry with our lack of success, especially coming from Real Madrid.

The names we are being linked with are hardly anything to get excited over, Felliani could be a decent player in Italy but not for anywhere near the amount of money that United wants for him. They simply bought him for way more than he is worth, a common problem in England, and now they refuse to get rid of him without recouping some of the losses. Would much rather spend the same kind of money on Witsel.

De Jong hasn't played and as much as I like him as a player and a strong leader, he doesn't fit into this team. We can simply not afford to play a midfielder with no skill going forward. I like the guy and I think in the right situation he is a good player, but not unless he is playing next to a few midfielders with creative/attacking skill, ala Gattuso under Ancelotti. Leicester is a good spot for him, I hope they win the Premier League, and he could help that push, let him go.

I've never seen this defender play, but the fact that they recognize that it is a need is at least comforting. I've also read rumors linking us to Banega which could be a good pick up for the right money.

The El Shaarawy situation is infuriating me, I have read that we are trying to get rid of Cerci which is good, but El Sha is a natural replacement for the wing. I still believe that he has the ability to be a good player and instead of spending the money on another player to potentially replace Cerci, why not just hang on to him.

Well said, I agree with most of what you are saying.

Donnaruma does extremely well for his age, and it is good to see us make space for our youth players (should be doing more of it). No sense in keeping Lopez around, especially if he is generally unhappy.

We desperately need some creativity in midfield, and that means we need to "make space" by getting rid of some of the players we currently have there (especially those that are a bit too "one dimensional", and that includes De Jong). Fellani could be a good addition (though I have some reservations, don't need yet another "hot head"), but I doubt it we are going to spend that much money right now (and if we did there are probably better ways to spend it). BTW, doubt it we will get Witsel either (Zenit is not likely to sell him right now). Instead, I have a sinking feeling we will get some second-rate player from one of Galiani's favorite sources.

Mixed feelings about El Sha. Like the guy, and he could cover a hole we currently have. OTOH, I am not sure he is exactly what we need, and he seems to have "flopped" at Monaco.

[Forza Milan!]

Saponara may be heading to Juve. But I guess he was not good enough for Milan.

[Fillipo Simone]

In all honesty, I didn't see it in him. Maybe it's an Allegri fixation, don't think Juventus doesn't buy wrongly as well.

[X-Offender]

Indeed. Just because Juve are interested in him doesn't mean he is or will become a big player. That being said, I would much prefer him to what we currently have.

[han2503]

I respectfully disagree with you guys on Donnarumma, I don't think he's all that and I certainly don't think that a top keeper should be benched for him. But it's pointless to get into it

As for Saponara. he has a clear vibe about him that reminds me of the likes of Gila, Cerci, etc.

Perfectly comfortable at a team like Empoli where he can shine but shrivels into a corner at a bigger club, I really do wish Juve will throw millions at him. At least it won't be us for once who are duped (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[X-Offender]

Mediaset said Donnarumma made two vital saves tonight in the first half, and named him MVP.

[Fillipo Simone]

Nevermind Mediaset. The thing is, we still have a disorganized defense. Now, Donna maybe a great potential with sharp reflexes and great reactions. But he still has a lot to learn, and putting a rookie goalie directly into a fire without a stellar defense to give him security and strength isn't good at all. On the other hand, I can see no viable reason for Lopez getting benched.

In the end, it all come up to this: you guys believe Donnarumma is better the Lopez at the moment?

[X-Offender]

I think they're equally good.

[Fillipo Simone]

Really??

[X-Offender]

Yeah. Donnarumma hasn't made any mistakes that Lopez didn't which would make him worse, and he's made some good saves overall. Lopez was good, reliable, but he wasn't a world beater or anything.

[maldini03]

I agree that they were equal, for me Donna is a much better keeper on the ball which helps out the defense. Plus to me Lopez was on and off. It seemed one game he was the worlds best while the next he was very average. Compound this with his endless frustration for the situation, I'll take Donna.

In other news I've read a rumor about Chelsea and Man Utd looking to bring Bacca in for 30 Million Pounds which is about 40 million Euros. I would gladly take this, Bacca is a hell of a finisher but he is also 30 years old. I also feel like a good box goal scorer is a dime a dozen these days, and their success mostly hinges on the teams ability to provide.

[X-Offender]

In other news I've read a rumor about Chelsea and Man Utd looking to bring Bacca in for 30 Million Pounds which is about 40 million Euros. I would gladly take this, Bacca is a hell of a finisher but he is also 30 years old. I also feel like a good box goal scorer is a dime a dozen these days, and their success mostly hinges on the teams ability to provide.

I agree. I would keep Adriano, Niang, Balotelli and Menez (who finally started training with the team) as strikers and invest those 40 million into a world class right winger.

[Fillipo Simone]

I agree. I would keep Adriano, Niang, Balotelli and Menez (who finally started training with the team) as strikers and invest those 40 million into a world class right winger.

You would? Half of the mentioned players are crappy unreliable finishers while the other half (Menez and Balo) have more then one issue and are still listed as injured.

Also, how much did we pay Bacca? No, if we wanna move forward, selling the only man who stands out this season isn't the right move.

[X-Offender]

You would? Half of the mentioned players are crappy unreliable finishers while the other half (Menez and Balo) have more then one issue and are still listed as injured.

Also, how much did we pay Bacca? No, if we wanna move forward, selling the only man who stands out this season isn't the right move.

IMO Bona is the only player that stands out. Bacca has had his ups and downs. I don't think he's that much better than Adriano on the finishing department. If we could sign a world class right winger, with Bona and Menez back Adriano would be more than fine as CF.

PS: We paid 30 million for Bacca (Euros).

[Fillipo Simone]

Hmh. Diametrical opposite views we have, it seems.

Bonaventura, I'd say he's the one with ups and downs this season. I think he's okay, but to be a real good and competitive team we need more, we need better. You see, I think Bacca is much better then Adriano; Adriano comes in the same league with the various Pazzinis and Matris - a striker who runs around, does all sorts of things, but is unreliable and invisible. Bacca has that fine touch we've lacked for years. He's still rough on his edges and could potentially become better. But the difference is, Bacca would flourish with the right midfield composition, which we lack (creative department).

Whereas Bonaventura has the best possible cards, I don't think there's much improvement left for him. He has a very good defensive midfielder line with Monto, NdJ and even Kucka or Poli and a very potent attack. Get what I mean?

But on top of it: I've lost any faith in Milans transactions. You guys think that if we sell Bacca for just 10 million Euros then we signed him in the first place we'll actually get somewhere? Reinvest the money? Find another target? Oh come on, for Christ sake. It's not that big of a difference, 10 million in or out. While at the same time we lose a very good player.

[X-Offender]

I agree with you about Bacca being an overall better player than Adriano. I was mostly talking about their finishing. Bacca should have had a few more goals this season due to various goals he's missed. But nevertheless, I'll give it to you here.

Bona, however, I don't agree. He's vastly improved from last season, and is by far our best player. He might not reach higher levels in the future, but considering he's about the only shining star of a decrepit Milan, with a better team he would be devastating, in my opinion.

Anyway, more news:

- Adriano will be sold for €14 million to a Chinese side.
- United apparently are ready to offer €40 million for Donnarumma.

[han2503]

Now I seriously do believe that you guys are crossing the line into fantasy land when you say you think Donna and Lopez are equally good! I mean come on FFS!

They're worlds apart. Not even comparable

I agree that they were equal, for me Donna is a much better keeper on the ball which helps out the defense. Plus to me Lopez was on and off. It seemed one game he was the worlds best while the next he was very average. Compound this with his endless frustration for the situation, I'll take Donna.

Now this is the pat I have the most issue with because I think Donna is p!ss poor on the ball and his decision making in terms of when to come out and when to stay on his line or when to play out or when to just kick away are two of his biggest issues.

[X-Offender]

Think what you want.

[Forza Milan!]

- Adriano will be sold for €14 million to a Chinese side.

Good move AFAIAC.

- United apparently are ready to offer €40 million for Donnarumma.

If true, they have just told us how they feel about Donna vs. Lopez (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[X-Offender]

Rumors about the money from Adriano going to finance a big move in midfield, either Witsel or Fellaini ( (IMG:style_emoticons/default/puke.gif) ).

How about a good right winger, Fester? We are playing 4-4-2 after all, and our only options are Honda and Boateng...

PS: Galliani confirmed Cerci to Genoa. He also said SES might stay...

[X-Offender]

Remember when SES was supposed to be the next big thing? Us refusing €30 million from Anzhi etc. Now no-one wants him. Monaco sent him back, we don't wanna keep him...

[Fillipo Simone]

Well, that's how things go. Nevertheless, I'd rather we've signed a few more SES-like talents then the various Matri's and Pazzini's we had in our team.

[milanbuf88]

Now I seriously do believe that you guys are crossing the line into fantasy land when you say you think Donna and Lopez are equally good! I mean come on FFS!

They're worlds apart. Not even comparable


Now this is the pat I have the most issue with because I think Donna is p!ss poor on the ball and his decision making in terms of when to come out and when to stay on his line or when to play out or when to just kick away are two of his biggest issues.

Han, your assessment is simply way off. He's a 16 year old keeper who is 6'5", confident on the ball (though he does give me minor heart attacks from time to time), a good shot stopper, and he hasn't made any major error in 11 starts. He's even made big saves to keep us in games. He's the real deal. If you think he's piss poor with the ball how would you categorize Lopez and Abbiati? Abbiati used to make at least one major give away a game with the ball at his feet and Lopez is incapable of more than booting it up the field which often leads to a loss of possession. I agree that he needs to work on his decision making. That's not an indictment of him a player though. He's demonstrated that he's remarkably quick on his feet for his size and he's been able to recover when he makes a mistake. I'm sure the coaches have noticed the same thing and are working on it with him.

[CrazyMilanFan]

Well, that's how things go. Nevertheless, I'd rather we've signed a few more SES-like talents then the various Matri's and Pazzini's we had in our team.

agreed.. There was always some chance that one of such player could have been great or better, but the deadwood hiring policy has been shambolic

[han2503]

Good move AFAIAC.


If true, they have just told us how they feel about Donna vs. Lopez (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Don't think that should be any indication.

Donna is young, Italian and obviously talented. United have money to burn over nothing.

Still think that Lopez, right now is by far the better keeper and I'm stressing the now in this sentence.

I do admit that I have come to see that he has talent, and I had previously said that I don't really see anything special in him. He has done decently so far. With only a handful of errors which lead to goals. But aside from that, this has never been the point of my argument. Which has always been about having a keeper with a wealth of talent and experience, sitting on the bench while we're trusting a completely green and inexperienced 16 year old to play, who I do admit now, has talent but is no where near Lopez.

And at this point in time I do not understand taking this risk and not playing our best players at all times (in the league), especially when we have so many issues within the side especially in central defence and midfield

Han, your assessment is simply way off. He's a 16 year old keeper who is 6'5", confident on the ball (though he does give me minor heart attacks from time to time), a good shot stopper, and he hasn't made any major error in 11 starts. He's even made big saves to keep us in games. He's the real deal. If you think he's piss poor with the ball how would you categorize Lopez and Abbiati? Abbiati used to make at least one major give away a game with the ball at his feet and Lopez is incapable of more than booting it up the field which often leads to a loss of possession. I agree that he needs to work on his decision making. That's not an indictment of him a player though. He's demonstrated that he's remarkably quick on his feet for his size and he's been able to recover when he makes a mistake. I'm sure the coaches have noticed the same thing and are working on it with him.

Disagree about Lopes and his distribution, I personally think he's pretty good when it comes to playing it out. Abbiati I agree he's a total liability in that area.

Donna has had several moments where he's tried to overplay the ball and nearly ended up complete red faced because of this, against Roma he sent it into touch straight from a kick out about 4 or 5 times. But his distribution isn't really my issues with him, it's more about his decision making in terms of coming off or staying on his line and that's what really worried me. So far his mistakes in this area haven't really been punished, but I worry about when they do, because these are the kinds of errors that really do send his confidence at rock bottom

As I said above, this is not about his talent or potential, which I do now admit that he has, it's about not playing someone who at this point in time is the better option to be playing for this team. Simple as that really

[X-Offender]

Rumors about El Ghazi (20, right-winger, Ajax) but we have to accommodate SES and Cerci first.

[Forza Milan!]

Don't think that should be any indication.

Donna is young, Italian and obviously talented. United have money to burn over nothing.

Still think that Lopez, right now is by far the better keeper and I'm stressing the now in this sentence.

I do admit that I have come to see that he has talent, and I had previously said that I don't really see anything special in him. He has done decently so far. With only a handful of errors which lead to goals. But aside from that, this has never been the point of my argument. Which has always been about having a keeper with a wealth of talent and experience, sitting on the bench while we're trusting a completely green and inexperienced 16 year old to play, who I do admit now, has talent but is no where near Lopez.

And at this point in time I do not understand taking this risk and not playing our best players at all times (in the league), especially when we have so many issues within the side especially in central defence and midfield


Disagree about Lopes and his distribution, I personally think he's pretty good when it comes to playing it out. Abbiati I agree he's a total liability in that area.

Donna has had several moments where he's tried to overplay the ball and nearly ended up complete red faced because of this, against Roma he sent it into touch straight from a kick out about 4 or 5 times. But his distribution isn't really my issues with him, it's more about his decision making in terms of coming off or staying on his line and that's what really worried me. So far his mistakes in this area haven't really been punished, but I worry about when they do, because these are the kinds of errors that really do send his confidence at rock bottom

As I said above, this is not about his talent or potential, which I do now admit that he has, it's about not playing someone who at this point in time is the better option to be playing for this team. Simple as that really

IMHO for someone that young he is very good, and (more important) he is good enough to play for us. Keepers improve with age, I am sure the coaching staff will help him through his "rough edges".

Also it is good to see us giving space to our younger talent (if anything, we should be doing more of it).

[han2503]

IMHO for someone that young he is very good, and (more important) he is good enough to play for us. Keepers improve with age, I am sure the coaching staff will help him through his "rough edges".

Also it is good to see us giving space to our younger talent (if anything, we should be doing more of it).

The talent has always been questionable though

Do you remember the outcry to play Di Gennaro? Merkel? Cristante? And the even bigger meltdown when we sold Cristante and got actual cash for him instead of sending him on an endless cycle of loan deals? There really hasn't been a true talent to come out of the primavera in years. De Sciglio and Abate are both good players imo, and they're the only 2 to have made it as first team fixtures in over 20+ years if I'm not mistaken

[X-Offender]

Cerci to Genoa is almost a done deal. /Mediaset

[Fillipo Simone]

Loan or permanent buy?

[CrazyMilanFan]

Loan or permanent buy?

i think he is on loan to mialn?

[han2503]

Cerci to Genoa is almost a done deal. /Mediaset

Is he even our player?

I though we had him on loan for 2 seasons from Atletico... Don't understand why he's even our issue at this point, should have just sent him packing last summer

Anyway. I really do hope we find a solution for some of the players we have on our roster so we can free up space for better players

[Fillipo Simone]

Reading a lot about the Ranocchia deal. Why does Milan even need that Inter player? I don't see the point of signing him, even with Mexes departing.

On other news, Mr. Bee and Berlu having a important meeting tonight.

MN/Sky

[Forza Milan!]

Looks like the Luiz Adriano deal may be off (link)

[Fillipo Simone]

Good. He was solid, but we can use the money from his sale elsewhere.

[X-Offender]

Good. He was solid, but we can use the money from his sale elsewhere.

He means it's not going to happen. They didn't agree on the terms of contract.

[Fillipo Simone]

Yep, I misread "off" as "on". Crap...

[han2503]

Has anything other than signing Boateng again on a free happened this winter?

I don't think we've even made 1 single significant move. All this when we should be working on the midfield and looking to get a proper long term partner for Romagnoli, especially if Mexes is leaving

[CrazyMilanFan]

Has anything other than signing Boateng again on a free happened this winter?

I don't think we've even made 1 single significant move. All this when we should be working on the midfield and looking to get a proper long term partner for Romagnoli, especially if Mexes is leaving

We still appear to be concluding that Mr Bee deal, which occurred in summer (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[Forza Milan!]

Has anything other than signing Boateng again on a free happened this winter?

I don't think we've even made 1 single significant move. All this when we should be working on the midfield and looking to get a proper long term partner for Romagnoli, especially if Mexes is leaving

Apparently, we are after Taarabt. Shoot me now ...

This post has been edited by Forza Milan!: Jan 21 2016, 05:03 PM

[Forza Milan!]

AFAIAC, we are seeing a replay of the saga we have seen for a number of transfer windows now:

[Previous transfer window]

We get a number of (mostly useless) players, attracting them with ridiculously high salaries. Still unclear on the rationale behind these selections, except they seem to tick most of the following boxes:
- parametro zero
- "special deal" from a FoG (friend of Galliani), in particular Raiola or Preziosi
- used to be a (reasonably) good player a few years ago but has been sidelined (possibly for a while)
- yet another striker (to make Berlu happy)
(If there is a "grand strategy" or even something vaguely resembling "a project" someone still needs to explain it to me, 'cause I don't get it.)

[Current transfer window]

Galliani: "can't possibly buy any player unless we first sell a few"

<Time passes ... other clubs seem reluctant to take our players (wonder why), and even when they do the deal often falls through because either (1) the player is not willing to compromise on the ridiculously high salary he is getting at Milan (Luiz Adriano is the latest example) or (2) Berlu blocks the transfer for reasons that are beyond me ... we are linked to a number of names but nothing happens ... more time passes ... we are now days away from the close of the market.>

Galliani: "time for the Condor to strike again!", and off we go to get the usual last minute panic-buys, mostly fitting the criteria listed above. Occasionally we do get lucky, and all the Galliani-lovers get to sing his praises.

Sounds familiar?

There are of course side shows like:

[A few transfer windows ago] We steal Honda from Zenith
[Last transfer window] We try to steal Witsel from Zenith
[This transfer window] Hmm ... wonder why Zenith is not willing to deal with us on Witsel

Aaargh!!!

This post has been edited by Forza Milan!: Jan 21 2016, 05:30 PM

[Forza Milan!]

This article basically says that our inability to sell players is self-inflicted, and derives from (1) our selection of mediocre players, and (2) the ridiculously high salaries we pay them. Pretty much the same points I have been making for some time.

[Fillipo Simone]

So I see Leicester wants Niang and Nocerino should be off for the MLS. Something might happen after all...

[William405]

What do you think about such a sale?

I mean Nocerino, that's a really insignificant transfer. But what about Niang? He has shown signs of improvements. Honestly, it would be smart to sell him for that price, and then to reinvest in midfield. Specially, since we have plethora of strikers. The problem is we won't reinvest, there is not enough time for it anyway except if Galliani has something in works. We were mostly silent during this transfer period.

[Fillipo Simone]

I'd welcome it with both arms. Niang is a terrible player IMO. He's completely useless: a striker with terrible accuracy, no feeling for the goal and a completely wrong attitude. Maybe he's a combative winger, defensive winger, call him what you like, but I'm all against such players.

[William405]

I'd welcome it with both arms. Niang is a terrible player IMO. He's completely useless: a striker with terrible accuracy, no feeling for the goal and a completely wrong attitude. Maybe he's a combative winger, defensive winger, call him what you like, but I'm all against such players.

Yeah I agree with that. Too bad it seems that an offer never came.

[Guest_Suhail 3_*]

Milan are in talks to sell Antonio Nocerino and Nigel de Jong to MLS clubs, as LA Galaxy, Orlando City and New York City FC line up.


- http://www.football-italia.net/79159/de-jo...nd-nocerino-mls


This would make me a very happy man to be honest.

As for Niang, I would keep him, I am a big fan of him even though he needs to keep working on his shooting to be more clinical, but his pace and attitude are great. Would be a mistake to sell him, I'd much rather send Balo back to Liverpool by cancelling the loan.

[Fillipo Simone]

I don't see a point in keeping a striker who hasn't got the most important components a striker needs.

As for NdJ, I don't get this. Why is he now sidelined? When did we cross him off? I still think he's our best defensive player, over Poli, Nocerino, Kucka and Bertolacci.

[han2503]

I don't see a point in keeping a striker who hasn't got the most important components a striker needs.

As for NdJ, I don't get this. Why is he now sidelined? When did we cross him off? I still think he's our best defensive player, over Poli, Nocerino, Kucka and Bertolacci.

Yep, I find it pretty strange how 2 players who were essentially our best and most reliable performers last season (Lopez and De Jong) could suddenly just drop off like flies with no explanation and suddenly we hear rumours about how both could be sold for basically peanuts a few months later.

[maldini03]

I wouldn't sell Niang for that amount 16M in today's market is essentially peanuts and considering he had a good year last year at Genoa and has been considered to be pretty decent this season makes me think we can get more from him. That being said he has improved leaps and bounds from where he started with us and he is still young so I wouldn't mind keeping him either.

I like NDJ but for me he is a dinosaur, the game has changed to the point that defensive midfielders need to have more skills than just being able to win the ball. Heck even defenders are becoming more and more inclined as passers. For me, we can't sacrifice a midfield spot for someone with little to no ability aside from defending. Without a playmaker and a proper regista we lack creativity first and foremost, having De Jong on the field only exacerbates that problem.

But, I do like him as a player and I look forward to seeing him come here to the States. Always liked the guy and his grit has reminded me of Gattuso. I appreciate that he came here in a time of weakness for us and provided leadership and character when we were devoid of both, wish him all the best for sure.

This morning I heard on RAI that we are actively shopping Adriano as we want to get rid of him and also that Juve might come looking for Poli. Plus Nocerino is probably on his way out. Whatever he was or wasn't he did have one amazing season with us, but it is long past time for him to go.

[X-Offender]

For 16M I would sell Niang on the spot. Too bad we couldn't monetize on Adriano. With both those sales we could have financed a top midfielder.

[han2503]

De Jong has officially terminated his contract and will most likely more to LA Galaxy

Really strange, just a year ago we chould have sold him for decent money to Man U and now we terminate his contract. Only at Milan...

[William405]

De Jong has officially terminated his contract and will most likely more to LA Galaxy

Really strange, just a year ago we chould have sold him for decent money to Man U and now we terminate his contract. Only at Milan...

Really wierd that he went to LA Galaxy. He could have still made it at a top club in Europe.

Wish him all the luck! He was a warrior.

[Fillipo Simone]

Strange. They way he just, well, disappeared.

[Forza Milan!]

Probably the wrong place to post this, but Allegri seems to be doing very well at Juve (link). In light of our recent record, I have to wonder if Allegri learned from his past mistakes or if his performance at Milan was impacted by other factors (management, players, whatever). Hard to excuse his second year at Milan, though (still had a semi-decent team and should have won that scudetto).

[Fillipo Simone]

As usual, it's a combination. I've been critical regarding Allegri, but I also never underestimated the big factor presented by Galliani and our overall strategy.

Thing is, he had his share of blame. I cannot tell if he learned or not, because Juventus keeps giving a high-quality team. Yes, he managed to excel. But the disastrous start of this season is indicative as well to me.

[han2503]

Probably the wrong place to post this, but Allegri seems to be doing very well at Juve (link). In light of our recent record, I have to wonder if Allegri learned from his past mistakes or if his performance at Milan was impacted by other factors (management, players, whatever). Hard to excuse his second year at Milan, though (still had a semi-decent team and should have won that scudetto).

I personally don't see anything all that special with what he's currently doing at Juve tbh, and you said it yourself, he should have won the title his second season with us but let a far more inferior Juve side take it right out from under his nose, he still had the best team in the league that season, he just proved that he was by and far not the best tactician during that season.

I don't need to go into his following season and a half with us and the disaster that time turned out to be, the man simply had no answer to losing the player who made the entire team tick.

And as Filippo said, his start to this season is also very indicative that his biggest shortcomings are still very present now, they're just very well masked by the fact that he has a squad that can basically steamroll the rest of the league without too much effort

[milanbuf88]

I personally don't see anything all that special with what he's currently doing at Juve tbh, and you said it yourself, he should have won the title his second season with us but let a far more inferior Juve side take it right out from under his nose, he still had the best team in the league that season, he just proved that he was by and far not the best tactician during that season.

I don't need to go into his following season and a half with us and the disaster that time turned out to be, the man simply had no answer to losing the player who made the entire team tick.

And as Filippo said, his start to this season is also very indicative that his biggest shortcomings are still very present now, they're just very well masked by the fact that he has a squad that can basically steamroll the rest of the league without too much effort

Han, you always bring up the collapse at the end of Allegri's tenure as the reason that he's not a good coach but I think it's worth asking the question: Would any coach have been able to stay as competitive after losing the players we did that year? Granted we have no counter factual of a universally recognized great coach taking over after Allegri left but all of our struggles since then suggest to me that our dearth of quality players is more to blame than coaching.

[Fillipo Simone]

I think a good coach would have done considerably better. We used to whine around how Carletto was unable to adapt and achieve more, but take a look at his last years: even with loosing his best players, Ancelotti still managed to catch the CL, qualified for the CL on all occasions, etc.

[William405]

I think a good coach would have done considerably better. We used to whine around how Carletto was unable to adapt and achieve more, but take a look at his last years: even with loosing his best players, Ancelotti still managed to catch the CL, qualified for the CL on all occasions, etc.

But, surely, you have to see that still Ancelotti had a much much better squad than Allegri then! He didn't so well in the leauge, I reckon...and the CL..well he always possesed that special skill.

Again, I'm not saying Allegri is the best coach ever. I agree of his shortcomings, but the man is doing his job right. He's building a strong new Juve out of NEW quality players. I don't think it's that easy! We've seen several coaches fail to do it..namely Mourinho!

[Fillipo Simone]

Surely, it isn't easy. But you forget, Allegri embarrassed himself at Milan over and over again. At one moment he completely lost it and played average or comic players in favor of real talents, he neglected club legends, he played ridiculous formations with one or two players completely out of position.

Ancelotti's late years are a myth. People tend to forget that there was a time Milan simply couldn't have won the Scudetto because of the Calciopoli scandal. But let's forget that for a minute. Ancelotti still had to deal with a WC Inter side, while the rest of Serie A was immensely more competitive.

Was it a much much better side? Think about it. No Shevchenko, no Costa, no Billy. Surely, the midfield was intact, but Ancelotti still missed key ingredients. I don't recall anyone defending him much.

In 2011/12 Allegri squandered the Scudetto with basically the same winning side. Next season sure, he lost key players. But the downfall he produced was of epic proportions.

[X-Offender]

Ancelotti's problem was different. He didn't lose any key players bar Sheva. The problem was the unwillingness of the management to gradually refresh a team of players that were getting old and losing motivation. We've said this many times. Those expensive contract renewals after the 07 CL success was the death of us.

[Fillipo Simone]

Were they? I still think it's the unwillingness to regenerate the team step by step and failed projects with young players.

[milanbuf88]

Surely, it isn't easy. But you forget, Allegri embarrassed himself at Milan over and over again. At one moment he completely lost it and played average or comic players in favor of real talents, he neglected club legends, he played ridiculous formations with one or two players completely out of position.

Ancelotti's late years are a myth. People tend to forget that there was a time Milan simply couldn't have won the Scudetto because of the Calciopoli scandal. But let's forget that for a minute. Ancelotti still had to deal with a WC Inter side, while the rest of Serie A was immensely more competitive.

Was it a much much better side? Think about it. No Shevchenko, no Costa, no Billy. Surely, the midfield was intact, but Ancelotti still missed key ingredients. I don't recall anyone defending him much.

In 2011/12 Allegri squandered the Scudetto with basically the same winning side. Next season sure, he lost key players. But the downfall he produced was of epic proportions.

I don't buy that at all. Carlo's squads were vastly better than Allegri's post Ibra, Thiago, and van Bommel. Not to mention the loss of senators like Gattuso, Pippo, and Seedorf. Seriously, please look at the squad we had that year. It was really truly awful: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012%E2%80%93...C._Milan_season. Even with all that he managed to scrape and claw back up to 3rd that season. The difference for Allegri at Juve is that they lost less of the overall quality of the team and they did a far better job of reinforcing with quality. Galliani owns at least half of that collapse with the terrible deals he made and the anemic response to such a huge loss of veterans.

[Forza Milan!]

IMHO it comes down to the following:
- Milan was Allegri's first big team, and he joined us when the team was already in decline
- He made mistakes (which cost us a scudetto), and he struggled once we lost a number of key players
- He did manage to get us to 3rd place his 3rd year (in hindsight not a bad accomplishment), but completely fell apart the year after (though by then the team was no longer competitive and Berlu's lack of confidence did not help)
- His first year at Juve, he inherited a very good squad and managed to improve it further, taking it to the CL final (despite Conte's belief that it could never happen)
- His second year, there were some key changes in the squad, but despite a shaky start he managed to build a very competitive team (stayed in CL and is fighting for 1st place in Serie A). Not a bad accomplishment, and the shaky start is understandable given the extent of the changes.

Bottom line:
- At this stage, he has developed into a good manager for a top team
- Would not want him back at Milan right now (not sure he would do much better than Miha with our current squad)

In any case, my mistake for bringing this topic back up, let's all move on (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[X-Offender]

Were they? I still think it's the unwillingness to regenerate the team step by step and failed projects with young players.

It's pretty much what I said.

[han2503]

Reports saying the Bee deal could be off...

[William405]

Reports saying the Bee deal could be off...

Basically, looks like Berlusconi got screwed!