[Tennie]

Looking to see if there's confirmation somewhere else in the Italian press. Nothing to see as of midnight Italian time. If true, nice that it's a defender. We're going to have to learn Portuguese if they sign any more Brazilians though. I don't hate Brazil or its citizens - I just want Milan to have a strong Italian core and worry a lot that it's being lost.

Anyone know if this guy has an EU passport?

[Rossoneri7]

great news .. Not sure if its official, but its definitely great news getting a defender, considering Nesta might not return to his best.

[Tennie]

Ah. Mediaset is now reporting that it's a Brazilian source (SporTV) reporting that he's close to signing the contract. The Mediaset article indicates that he'll be left at Flu on loan til the end of June because Milan can't take another non-EU player.

[MizNelson]

Maybe I'm on crack, but I don't see David Beckham impacting much more than jersey sales while he's at Milan. He's dedicated to playing for his country and I respect him for that, but skill-wise, he doesn't bring anything more to the table than current players already have. I really don't want to see him taking the pitch for Milan - no matter what Galliani or anyone else says, I'm not in any way in favor of this move - and I for one hope he returns to lala land at the earliest possible convenience.

I must be sharing the same crack pipe because I'm in agreement that the only improvement David "Big Teams Only" Beckham will bring to the team will be cosmetic. All those cloying "I chose Milan" stories were gag-worthy.

[whoarethepatriot...]

Looking to see if there's confirmation somewhere else in the Italian press. Nothing to see as of midnight Italian time. If true, nice that it's a defender. We're going to have to learn Portuguese if they sign any more Brazilians though. I don't hate Brazil or its citizens - I just want Milan to have a strong Italian core and worry a lot that it's being lost.

Anyone know if this guy has an EU passport?

I agree, if the board had the choice to sign the next Franco Baresi, or a Brazilian player, they would go Brazilian nine times out of 10. What happened to giving Darmian or Albertazzi a shot? The board have a huge fetish with Brazilians and its getting out hand. We will get mocked endlessly for being like Inter only with Brazilians instead of Argies. He will be a good replacement for Kaladze, but is unacceptable as a Nesta or Maldini replacement

[dst]

What's the problem with the guy being a Brazilian? I too would prefer an Italian defender but since that's not the case what does it matter if he's from Brazil? And yes, our management do love them samba dancers, what's the problem with that? I don't think we've bought a Brazilian just because he is a Brazilian, all of them have been excellent players apart from Emerson, who is not good enough to play for Milan anymore but he was requested by Ancelotti.

Anyway... there's no one out there at the level of Maldini and Nesta so I doubt Silva is even if I have never seen him play. A level above you-know-who would be enough cause all that idiot's missing is a brain, he's got the skills... so I hope this Silva guy has a brain!

[vnata001]

By this time Thiago Silva, formerly a right winger who also had spells in midfield and at full-back, had been converted into a centre-back. And he was good enough to attract the attention of European clubs. But spells with Porto and Dynamo Moscow were blighted by injuries and illness, and he returned to Brazil to rebuild his career with the club he supported in his youth.

His Fluminense coach, his boyhood hero Renato Gaucho, has described Thiago Silva as one of the very best centre-backs in Brazil. Although the coach calls him "a monster" Thiago Silva is no bully, but rather known for his reading of the game, good covering and timing and more than adequate speed.

wikipedia...

This post has been edited by vnata001: Dec 11 2008, 04:07 AM

[MizNelson]

His Fluminense coach, his boyhood hero Renato Gaucho, has described Thiago Silva as one of the very best centre-backs in Brazil. Although the coach calls him "a monster" Thiago Silva is no bully, but rather known for his reading of the game, good covering and timing and more than adequate speed.

Biased material that I just removed from the article.

[Zed.D]

What's the problem with the guy being a Brazilian? I too would prefer an Italian defender but since that's not the case what does it matter if he's from Brazil? And yes, our management do love them samba dancers, what's the problem with that? I don't think we've bought a Brazilian just because he is a Brazilian, all of them have been excellent players apart from Emerson, who is not good enough to play for Milan anymore but he was requested by Ancelotti.

Anyway... there's no one out there at the level of Maldini and Nesta so I doubt Silva is even if I have never seen him play. A level above you-know-who would be enough cause all that idiot's missing is a brain, he's got the skills... so I hope this Silva guy has a brain!

Finally someone who does not have this thing for Brazilians (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
+1

Tennie, I like Brazilians but believe me, I hate Milan to have too many of them too! but I don't know how having someone like Emerson [who adds nothing particular to this team] is alright but a young and highly rated defender not (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) if there's one Brazilian we need to get rid of, it's Emerson, not Thiago (I would have added Dida to that too if it was 2007... but he's clearly improving and it's not fair to say he doesn't deserve to be in Milan anymore).
I haven't seen Thiago but from what I've heard I think he'd be an improvement over Kaladze, Senderos, Favalli and even an always-injured-Nesta [OBVIOUSLY not over a not-injured-Nesta]

Just my humble two cents! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

We will get mocked endlessly for being like Inter only with Brazilians instead of Argies.

Are you talking about the pre-Calciopoli Inter? because right now Inter have as many Brazilians as Milan (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Zed.D]

DENIAL A.C. MILAN
12/10/2008
MILAN - Concerning certain phrases supposedly said by Adriano Galliani made to Danish press and reported by several Italian agencies, the Delegate Administrator himself denies to have made these declarations.

I don't think he said anything about Thiago in that interview. so...



(WHERE ARE YOU PORTY?)

This post has been edited by zdrossoneri: Dec 11 2008, 10:25 AM

[CrazyMilanFan]

the above denials were for agger i am certain abt tht and the thing abt silva if we sign him the best thing is that inter wanted him and if we get him it is even more satisfying

[Tennie]

Er. Just checking here, this is the same guy who tanked at Porto, right?

And I'd still rather see an Italian in the position. Too many Brazilians, even the good ones.

[Habitant]

Er. Just checking here, this is the same guy who tanked at Porto, right?

And I'd still rather see an Italian in the position. Too many Brazilians, even the good ones.

i wouldnt be too worried, we're bound to sign some italians since we'll only have one more non-eu spot for the next 1 1/2 years.

right now as much as i'd lke to see us sign some italians i'm just desperate for some more young talent.

This post has been edited by Habitant: Dec 11 2008, 03:22 PM

[Jack Sparrow]

I agree, if the board had the choice to sign the next Franco Baresi, or a Brazilian player, they would go Brazilian nine times out of 10. What happened to giving Darmian or Albertazzi a shot? The board have a huge fetish with Brazilians and its getting out hand. We will get mocked endlessly for being like Inter only with Brazilians instead of Argies. He will be a good replacement for Kaladze, but is unacceptable as a Nesta or Maldini replacement

Coz the next Baresi would cost mucho Dinero compared to Thiago Silva. It's the thing with European players. Just recollect, how much we got Pato for and how much Rooney was purchased from Everton. It's not about losing identity. It's about business sense.

That being said, I still want our team to put out at least 6 italian players every time, which sadly doesn't seem to be happening.

[kurtsimonw]

That being said, I still want our team to put out at least 6 italian players every time, which sadly doesn't seem to be happening.

Agreed. I don't just want us to play 6 Italian players every game, I think it should be a rule that we have to. It would force teams to make sure they work on bringing their own players through, and I'm sure we'd see alot less of other teams just snatching promising youngsters from other clubs.

This post has been edited by kurtsimonw: Dec 11 2008, 05:57 PM