Would really like Stekelenburg here, be a great #1 to have in my opinion, great stature and presence and a good goalkeeper. Think he's still only in his late 20's so we could easily get 10 years out of him. Wouldn't be surprised if he goes to United though, because of VDS retiring and him sort of carrying on the throne. If not, go for Neuer, who is probably a little better than Stekelenburg. I just don't think Abbiati is good enough when it really comes down to it. Then again there are more important positions in our team that need filling.

This. Saved me a bit of a typing. As for Schweinsteiger, I don't think he'll come, but if he does, then as Mr. B likes to say, I'll welcome him with open hearts. It's crazy to see the guy is still in his absolute prime. 26 is nothing really for an established mid of his quality.

All we need is Xavi & Iniesta and we are good

Yeah... they're all Catalan until they're called up for Spanish NT duty...

I don't know, Schweinsteiger is like Germany's golden boy, when Becks came here he got all sort of hate because of that reason, trust me it wasn't his age, don't really get why Bastian people turn a blind eye to on that matter? He's a good player and if we got him I'd be happy but I'd probably prefer getting Kaka back over him in all honesty and I doubt, if it were to happen, that there would be too much difference in price for either.

He is playing for two years now a DM, and with his vision and stature he is probably the best DM around that can also play some killer balls and play a deep lying role the best while still defending very very very well, i think he would be the absolute best option for our DM spot, with him and Boateng and whoever we will be really a great bunch of midfielders and could really stop looking for any other midfielder but probably he is not going to join us but if he will he would be a real upgrade to our midfield! A fantastic player especially for us!

Stature? I thought he was just about 6ft if that, in reality not massive for a DM. I'm pretty sure he signed a new contract a few months ago so I'm nigh on certain this is paper talk. I thought he was more attacking in all honesty, a centre mid anyway from when I've seen him play rather than an out and out Mikel/Makelele/Diarra type defensive midfielder.

Stature as in "high level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement". At least that's what I thought he meant. Schweinsteiger commands authority, he probably would have been captain by now if it were not Lahm. And frankly I see a 1% chance of him coming, but if he does we could potentially be set for 5 or 6 years.

Oh, I thought he meant physically as he was talking in the context of a DM.

Yup, that was my impression. Schweinsteiger is a strong well built player (stuffed, and built like an oak-tree), not overly tall though. Which then again is not such a bad thing. 6 foot is ideal in most circumstances, IMO.

Yeah, I guess outfield players height is pretty needless unless it's a target man CF. Messi is 5ft 7 and he's arguably the best in the world. Ronaldo is actually only 6ft I'm sure, he's just built more. I think strength is a bigger factor than height in all honesty unless you're a GK.

True that. I think the biggest asset a player can have is a strong body, one that does not get injured week in and week out. Height also helps, but in some cases can be a hindrance - you don't want to be too tall, slow and lanky.

And to think Usain Bolt thinks he'll win a 100m title..

Yeah, Crouch & Zigic prime examples, they just know one way to play. Messi & Barca themselves are rare in their small height (Iniesta, Xavi etc) but I think if you're around the 6ft mark give or take a few inches you're fine. I mean the more central you play the bigger you are (in the main) you see lots of wingers that aren't even 5ft 9.

Cahill in the EPL is listed as 5ft 10 and he scores as many headers as anybody. Shows it's not all about height.


He's rare I don't think he's 6ft 5 as wiki lists him though, I thought he was labelled 6ft 3 in Beijing, unless he's grown really late. Most runners are no taller than 6ft. Athletes always seem to be given 2 more inches than they are anyway I find. Tevez was listed as 5ft 9 on wiki a while ago, now he's 5ft 8, though still if that's the case then I'd be like 6ft 2, and you'd be like 6ft 6

Compared to the NFL guys they are nothing. I mean Brees is talked of as really small (granted a QB) but he's 6ft that isn't small to me. If it were I'd be smaller than most. Still can't believe Welker is like 5, 9 though!

Love Milanfan, you can have an in-depth discussion on height!

Different sports, me reckon. Good height is usually never a bad thing, but in team sports, you have ten other players with varied heights. Some have lower center of gravity, better acceleration and what not. That is one reason why most teams prefer average height full-backs, and if there is an overly tall CB, they match him up with someone that is 6-foot to balance things out.

As good a player Van Buyten is, I have seen him get beat horribly. Reason? Lack of pace when covering opposing attackers. But I think 6 foot is near perfect when it comes to football, going up to 6-2 at most. Anything higher and then you have to be a very agile ninja like Ibra. Not a dead certain hard-and-fast rule, but still.

It really does depend on the individual, I'm not sure there is any rule. I'm tall and not exactly well built. Yet I was always representing my high school for 100m and stuff, whereas you would think I'd be a long distance runner which I wasn't all that good at. I think smaller players generally will be better at dribbling with the ball because of their lower centre of gravity, but that's about it.

Your 6ft 3 right? I swear I remember reading that somewhere, probably ESPN! Yeah I wouldn't expect you to be fast, but it is the most blatant form of stereotyping. You can see why with sports, I mean taller ones go to Basketball, or Tennis or something just the way it goes, still others defy it. As I mentioned Welker & Woodhead in the NEP are tiny for the NFL, even to most average guys they would be small.

We had a kid who was at our school who was small and not built at all but my god was he fast. His legs looked like they were going to snap! A lot of people I find don't know how to sprint and don't realise there is actually technique too, it's not just you're fast or you're not, you may have just nailed it.

Anyway, Stekelenburg is 6ft 6. So sign him

It looks like Ganso is going to renew his contract with Santos.



source link

Well that's about to kill a few of this kids fanboys.

So who now?!

Come on, you should know that this is just a strategy to raise his price tag.

But surely it won't if he doesn't sign it

So you expect a deal by Monday? Ain't going to happen. And then if he signs, Milan are not going to spend 50m on him. It'll be Inter or Spain and England...

He'll never cost €50 million, whether he signs or not. We have the upper hand at the moment. Galliani has made very important steps in acquiring his rights from the company that holds half of his card. Convincing the player is the easiest thing to do. We only need to reach an agreement with Santos, and that's what we're working on right now.

Milan deal for Borussia's Dedé
There are reports from Brazil that Milan have a deal for Borussia Dortmund defender Dedé to join in the summer.

The 32-year-old Brazilian has declared he will not remain in the Bundesliga beyond the end of this season.

However, he wishes to stay in Europe for another two years before returning to South America.

According to O Globo newspaper, Milan have already reached a basic agreement to sign Dedé.

He would strengthen the left side of the defence, which is currently among their weakest spots.

Football-italia.net.

Another old lad,has anyone hurd of him?

Yes, I know him for a very long time. But really, are we going to sign a 32-year-old fullback? Please, let it be a joke.

New contract or not, Ganso is leaving Santos this summer. If not to Milan then to Inter, especially if Leonardo stays there.

Would be much happier to see Hummels than Dede but that obviously wouldn't fix our full back problem but would be a great nesta replacement.

It's his agent trying to push for a deal. But, what got lost in translation (!?) is that (at least according to German journals) Inter is interested in Dede.

Dede used to be a great fullback but injuries destoryed most of his career. He's a good player and still does not lack pace, but, I don't think Milan will land him.


Anyway, a Bundesliga player I'd like to sign for Milan is KLOSE. Yes, and shabby and old Klose. I realize that Milan has more dire positions to solve and cash will be splashed for fullbacks, AM, or a strategic deep midfielder - but we also need a poacher. Klose will leave Bayern this summer, so it could be a free solution for our attack.

Well, if we keep Inzaghi, then I don't think we need Klose.

How reliable is Inzaghi?

How reliable is Klose? He's scored 4 Bundesliga goals in the past 2 seasons. He's about as prolific as Nesta.

Yeah true, unless we can bring the World Cup Klose over here I would stay well clear of that, would rather have Pippo than him anyday.

Taiwo said in an interview to Canal+ that Milan remains his first option. Our new leftback?

Dzeko seems very unsettled in man city according to milannews.it.

he would be a great poacher if he can regain the form he had in bundesliga.

he will be free and IMO he is quite decent as well. Dont see why we wouldnt go for him

Yes, or 11 goals in 57 matches; still, I think he'd be a good bench player to have.

Sell Ibra, buy Dzeko

More like give Ibra, get Dzeko? A straight swap deal could very much be on, or maybe even we can milk the City cow for a few extra millions while we give them the Swede. I don't quite see this happening in the next few months though, maybe next season.

I'm grateful to Ibrahimovic for what he's done with us so far, and I think he is a tremendous player who only needs to be rested a bit more often. But if there was the possibility to swap him for Dzeko, I'd take it on the spot. That said, I don't think it's going to happen.

In other news, Controcampo reported last night that we will go for Pizarro of Roma or Kagawa of Borussia Dortmund if Pirlo doesn't renew his contract. I don't know how good this Kagwa kid is, but Pizarro is a big NO from my part. Seriously, if Pirlo leaves, I really want us to go for M'Vila of Rennes.

None of them is even near to Pirlo and his abilities. Further more, none of them could provide us the tactical edge Pirlo gives Milan. A big no to me on Pizzaro, Kagawa isn't for sale if you belive the Borussia president and would also be very expensive. M'Vila is good, but we need someone who's proven IMO and not just another talent.

Example?

Erm .. You know Xavi would put an end to all this discussions .. Barca get Cesc and we get Xavi .. Happy days

Yep, Xavi would be perfect.

Football Italia

I'm talking about realistic possibilities. We'll never sign Xavi, unless we do so when he gets 34 or something.

Damn you Raiola, damn you to the point of no return! Prego no a Balotelli!

Balotelli is destined to wear the red and black stripes. In fact, according to a local Milanese TV, we've already signed him.

What, his behaviour persuaded us to do so? This is becoming more and more unacceptable to me. Picking up Inters pieces. What a shame that would be, to have a Ibra-Balo attacker line an Pato virtually sacrificed.

Honestly, I'd take Balotelli when he's cleared his mind and when Ibra will be 32-33 or something. Right now, bringing him in would only mean trouble. We already have way too many strikers. Let's focus on signing some fullbacks and midfielders instead.