But to get someone that has that experience we would need to shell out some money something we have been unwilling to do for a while now.

Am I the only one who thinks we're making too much of a fuss about how we should play? Given the players we have, 4-3-3 is the most obvious answer:
- Abate and De Sciglio are perfect on the wings, Rami and Mexes are the best we afford in the center.
- Get Poli and Honda in central midfield, and one between De Jong and Montolivo as anchor.
- We only lack a proper RW in attack. El Shaarawy on the left, and Balotelli (or his replacement if we sell him) as CF.



You don't need to be a master tactician to come up with that.

True, though as it turns out we are likely to have to shell money to get rid of Seedorf.

In some ways, Pippo's appointment makes sense. On the bright side, we have the following:
- Pippo is probably a reasonable "compromise" (Galliani's choice, doubt it Barbara has opposed Galliani on this one, and it probably appeals to Berlu's obsession with finding the "next Capello" / "next Pep")
- Pippo is a "known quantity", not so much in terms of coaching experience but he is an icon at Milan, has been around long enough, and has everyone's respect
- He seems to have done decently with the youth teams (and the article I quoted points out that he had to deal with a number of injuries)
- Maybe he will actually give space to some of our "youth players"
- In terms of experience, one can argue that he is better than Seedorf (when Seedorf first started), as at least he has coached a team. One could also compare him to Strama (who did well with the youth team but flopped in Serie A), but Pippo has credibility among the players, so he is more likely to be taken seriously.
- Then there is the cost factor

Still ...

One of my biggest complaints about Allegri was that he forced his own tactical choices on the team even if we did not have the right players. Seedorf was the same (arguably worse). It looks like Pippo may be more flexible in this sense, adjusting to what he has available (rather than the other way round). But we will see ...

Probably pointless to discuss formations until we know who we actually have at the end of the summer. One could argue that we should have a strategy and then plan our transfer season based on that, but based on recent history I would not assume that that will happen.

Looks like we may be after Ganso again.

Negredo for Balo? Does not make any sense to me, not overly impressed by Negredo.

What? Negredo is better than Balotelli.

I don't think so.

We've offered 12M for Ganso.

I agree.



Along with a sack of bananas.

Is Ganso any good these days?

And no way is Negredo better than Balo. Mentally more stable? Of course, who isn't? But a better footballer? No way!

He's the kind of striker we need.

Meh, I don't think he is.

Add to that he'll want a big wage considering what City are most likely paying him now.

I think the choice of striker for us is limited to someone average at best or just stiking with Balo and all his baggage. And personally I'd rather have option #2

Don't forget, we barely have over 10m to spend on this new player, not to mention the newly enfored 2.5m wage cap which means that whoever new comes in wil be earning as much a f@cking Muntari. If that isn't insulting I don't know what is!

I agree. Big strong forward with an eye for goal. I'd absolutely take him over Balo.

Ganso has had something of a renaissance in Brazil. He got forgotten about after our previous failed link to him and it seemed like he'd fallen away. But he's come back strong and while he's missed out on the WC I'd say he's a worthy addition to our team. I was jealous of Napoli for being linked to him few months ago.

As for Negredo, he's a better player to have. He works for the team, he scores goals, and while he might not produce the genius of Balo I'd rather have the 3 out of 5 matches return rate you'd get from Negredo than the borderline 1 from Balo and 4 anonymities.

Great to hear about Ganso, not that we can afford to get him anyway though

As for Negredo, I just hink Balo is an overall better player, not to mention, as I said above, he's most likely earning huge money at City, no way we can afford to give him that kind of wage

Not unless we seriously clean house and absolutely get rid of ANYONE on our roster that is earning more than they should, not to mention are complete deadweight to this team

More predictions on what may happen: Inzaghi gives wings to his Milan

It claims there was a meeting with Galliani, Inzaghi, and Inzaghi's agent, who also represents Pazzini, Matri e Paloschi (and may play a part in Inzaghi's 4-3-3). Contract has been worked out, but nothing is finalized until the situation with Seedorf is resolved.

The expectation is that we will sell Balo and use the money for either Cerci (~17-18M) or Iturbe (~25M). El Sha will have a big role, Kaka a smaller one, and Robinho will be let go (to save 10M on his salary). Likely to keep both Abate and DS, playing on opposite sides. Centrally we are talking Astori.

Unclear who SuperPippo's second in command will be (Tassoti is gone and Galli will stay with the youth program, which apparently will remain high priority - Brocchi may be the new leader, and they will train alongside the first team).

So, we'll play 4-3-3 with Pazzini, Matri and Paloschi? Someone shoot me.

Dreams do come true.

More like nightmares

And if we waste a dime on f@cking Cerci I'll pull my hair out, I swear!

I think both Pazzini and Matri have to be sold. Get Paloschi back and either keep Balo or sell and replace him with someone worthy. And obviously we need to sign a quality RW as well.

I think best thing to do would be to keep Balo, bring Palo back, sell both Pazzo and Matri for around a total of 12-14m, use that money to get a good winger or CM in depending on what formation Pippo will play

Also, one has to look at the defence.

Atm only Mexes, Rami, Zapata and Bonera are worthy of keeping, the others can all go. I think we need another CB in there to have some proper depth. Same goes with the FBs, with only Abate and DS worth keeping. Defence just needs a major spring cleaning imo.

Isn't 4 CBs enough, though? Might as well keep Zaccardo for emergency situations, or promote someone from the Primavera since Pippo knows them well.

Could be worse.

But I can't think of how right now.

Normally yes but with our injury record and the fact that one of these 4 is Bonera, I think it is best to have a 5th option. And if it comes to that I'd rather it be a primavera kid, Zaccardo is just a huge liability that is slower than a turtle

First of all, this is just someone's opinion. Also, El Sha was mentioned as having a big role, so I would assume that we would not play all three, at least not in the starting lineup.

Don't know about Pazzo, I would like to think that he can find his form. Matri for sure needs to get sold, but unfortunately he is on a high salary so there are unlikely to be takers. Paloschi may come back (for example,this suggests that something may be happening there). I don't see us having all three (two at most).

I am ready to bet that Balo is on his way out. Berlu never was too thrilled with him, his performance has been inconsistent, and he can bring in some money, particularly if he does well at the WC.

A quality RW seems like a "must have" if we are serious about playing 4-3-3.

I believe Balo should go, and he probably will. I agree we need to dump Matri, but his salary is high so there may not be anyone interested. I would like to think that Pazzo can recover his form, but I agree he should go if we cannot get rid of Matri (can't see us keeping both).

Monto injured, apparently a broken tibia. Will miss the WC.

Obviously I didn't mean all three of them together, that'd be insane. But the thought of our only strikers being Paloschi, Pazzini and Matri makes me sick. We need someone good if we're going to sell Balotelli (which seems to be the case, according to various media outlets).

Hmh. I think we are. Because it seems that Balo had a real good connection with Seedorf and him going might be the final push for an exit. I'm still undecided. I get the critique Balotelli gets here: he's not reliable, not able to appear consistently and draws many simple but very stupid negative sides with him (overall behavior and team impact, his habit of collecting stupid yellow cards, etc.).

But on the other hand, is there anyone better we could have with the money? Balotelli is still young and I haven't completely lost hope for him. IMO much will depend on how he does at the WC. If he shines like at the Euros, we could ask for more money which would give us more buying options. If not, I'd keep him unless we don't have a real plan alla the Kaka/Sheva signings.

Negredo's been mentioned, I'd take him. Or anyone with similar qualities. Immobile would have been ideal but he's going to Borussia.

According to this, a decision has been made on Balo, only question is when we sell him (before or after the WC).

We will also sell or get rid of 13-15 players, including Constant, Zaccardo, Robinho, Essien, Emanuelson, Nocerino and maybe Matri. Apparently we have three objectives, a CD (Alex, Paletta?), a fullback that can play on either side (Santon, Darmian?), and mostly a winger (Cerci, Iturbe or maybe Biabiany). In addition, Monto's injury may force us to look for a replacement.

There still are ongoing discussions for Rami and Taarabt (even if the terms of the deals have expired). And we are likely to get full ownership of Poli and Paloschi, with Petagna heading to Chievo.

We have refused to pay Valencia's asking price for Rami. We're offering no more than 4M.

so balo is being replaced with palo... the difference of only B and P

Out 4 months, according to this.

Bad news, but hopefully that will entice Pippo to play Honda in CM.

Looks like PSG is trying to unload Pastore, asking price 15M, current salary 4M + bonus (source).

they were intersted in balo i think.. i would take him for 15m

Salary may be an issue, especially with our new self-imposed 2.5M cap. Also, he has flopped at PSG.

He was great in his first season. Too much rotation since.

Honda in a CM spot would be stupid imo as he doesn't have the work rate to be able to play in that position. Monto puts in a lot of dirty work which goes unnoticed in that midfield, which Honda simply won't be able to do.

What? Have you not seen Honda play? The guy runs like a madman for 90 minutes. His work rate is unquestionable.

Neither are anything special. I'd play de Jong and Poli.

I only noticed that work rate in the last few games before he was injured. Before that he mostly stayed in his position on that right side. I'm guessing Seedorf demanded it of him, it's not something that comes naturally to him, he never really worked that hard for the team when at CSKA either, and that's the first thing I noticed about him when I watched a couple of games he played with CSKA, which I mentioned here as well

Also, my mistake there was that I only mentioned work rate. but to play in the CM role you also have to be more positionally aware as part of your role, it's not something that someone who's been playing as an attacking player all his playing career can just slip into.

And I'm sure no coach will be playing Honda in that position

If Monto is out for 4 months. And that's not even taking into account getting back his match fitness which takes a while after a player breaks his leg, we need to look into a proper CM who will be playing alongside Poli and De Jong in that midfield

Poli isn't good enough to s....f*ck it we have no Europe. He probably is good enough to start in Serie A alongside De Jong.

I like Poli a lot, not a remarkable player but a nice solid 7/10 most performances type who will work his socks off.

As for Honda, he was signed to sell shirts in Japan. And he's played like a marketing tool - even if he has admittedly been out of position a lot.

EDIT: didn't spot Han suggesting Monto. I think you and I have observed his blind spot to Monto before. I don't think Monto is good enough or interested enough to play for Milan and I'd rather he left. He was decent first season, terrible last. And before anyone gives him excuses, De Jong was far better at doing what Monto was supposed to be doing.

It's most likely a midfield 3 so we need a 3rd player in there

Fair point, we've no idea what Pippo's going to do. If 3 I'd choose Poli, De Jong, and...if he can get form back, Monto. Not exactly a brilliant midfield but it isn't exactly a brilliant Milan.

De Jong was my player of the season, Poli would be ok but like whats been said previous either formation Pippo will play with a 3 in midfield so I'd say we need 2 as there's no depth in that position at all.

Romulo maybe but it's hard to say as not sure what if any money is available especially after paying Seedorf €10m to leave

I think it's a no brainer that Monto should be in there, no this season was far from good from him, far from even decent. I'm not blind as to not see that. The captaincy obviously sheds even more bad light on his season in general imo.

Having said that, it's been estimated that he could take as much as 4 months to recover from this. And let's not forget that most players have a difficult time recovering from injuries with broken bones.

So imo we need a midfielder who is at least on par with Monto and can occupy a similar role within the side.

You guys can say all you want about how bad he was, but fact is that when we did have to play without him because of injuries or suspensions we were worse off as no one in our side can do what he does, in terms of making use of ball possession.


Don't remind me! This BS gets me more pissed off each time I think about it.

And agreed about the depth issue.

Assuming we can finally manage to get rid of the likes of Muntari, Essien, Birsa, Constant (who technically speaking is a midfielder), then we need someone in that midfield, to cover for not only De Jong and Monto but also for Poli if he's going to be a starter, since this season he was mostly used as a utility player and filled spots basically in every position on the pitch when it was needed