When I meant transparency, I actually meant Transparency International®.

Eh?

Ah, I actually meant that as financial transparency. Transparency International, as you may well know, is an organization that monitors and publicizes corporate and political corruption. A fair few of our problems stem from the very top (Berlusconi and Galliani) and the deals they make with other clubs and sponsors.

While this new direction is well and good, they are still doing things the Italian family business way.

Could you elaborate more? What this is based on?

Based on, my friend, on the general vibes one gets coming out of the management. It is improving, with the focus on youngsters, the salary cap and more. But there have been a host of decisions, questionable signings, waste of cash, even our farm club Genoa gets back to us when they can, it's a club eat club would out there. Like real life.

But as KillerMax said, it's downright futile to expect financial transparency out of Berlusconi. I am sure you, as do all others here, know it. It's a good feeling when we as a club attain something, but so much goes on behind the scenes. And not just here, other big clubs too. That's the state of the modern world.

That Henty kid shows more composure and talent in one touch then Niang has shown all season

That Henty kid shows more composure and talent in one touch then Niang has shown all season

“I chose Milan because they are the most successful club in the world,” said 18-year-old defender Jherson Vergara Amu as he flew in for a medical.

The teenage Colombian sensation will complete the transfer from Universitario Popayan on Monday and begin training with the first team.

“Being here is very important for me and for my career,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“It is a great opportunity and I hope to make the most of it. I chose Milan because they are the most successful club in the world, so I too want to be a part of the Rossoneri legends.

“My idol is Mario Alberto Yepes, while I already spoke to Cristian Zapata and he’s a good friend. My dream is to win the Scudetto and the Champions League.”

Vergara caught Milan’s attention during the Under-20 South American Cup.

If Mario Yepes is your idol, then...

"My dream is to win the Scudetto and the Champions League.”

So you picked Milan because...

Bari Hope To Sign AC Milan Youngster

Bari have announced their desire to sign AC Milan forward Simone Andrea Ganz this summer.

Bari have retained their Serie B status for next season and will hope to lure the teenager to the club to improve their chances of Serie A promotion in 2013/14.

Ganz turned down a move to Bari last summer to stay with the Rossoneri and gain more experience with the Milan outfit.

However, after being unable to break into the side this term the 19-year-old is likely to move away from the club on a loan deal to gain first team experience.

The attacker has been with Milan since 2008 and though he has made the substitutes’ bench for the club, Ganz is yet to see Serie A action. Although he has seen limited playing time in the Champions League.

Simone is the son of former Inter and AC Milan player Maurizio Ganz, who played 40 times for the Rossoneri.

The Future Of AC Milan’s Loan Legion

Following Nigeria’s 6-1 thumping of underdogs Tahiti in the Confederations Cup, some critics described the performance as wasteful.

However, despite the margin of victory, the critics were referring to the Super Eagles, as newcomers Tahiti scored in what was a dream moment for a nation ranked 138 in the world.

One of the few positives for Nigeria was the performance of Nnamdi Oduamadi, on loan at Varese from AC Milan, who finished the game with a hat-trick. The 22 year-old is one of many youngsters playing their football away from the San Siro. Here we shall evaluate the potential of some of the Rossoneri’s loaned stars.

There are a number of players, probably too numerous to mention here, who have been on loan from Milan for several years and for whom the club do not anticipate a return just now. These players are generally those who have struggled to achieve their potential over the years and by now the club’s responsibility towards them may be wearing a little thin.

A good example would be 22 year-old Gianmarco Zigoni who is currently on loan with newly promoted Serie B side Avellino. The son of the former Juventus striker Gianfranco, the boy was naturally going to have high expectations, but seems to have settled with his current side and could join them permanently next season. This is of course not what was expected, but the player could begin to find his footing with Avellino’s return to Serie B.


Attilia Filkor

There are other players that look unlikely to make the cut. Hungarian international Attila Filkor, who will turn 25 next month, is in need of solid playing time with a club that can provide it.

Simone Romagnoli looked in the right place at the right time when Pescara gained promotion to Serie A, but sadly did not feature for the Delfini and at 23 years-old may not have much time to impress his Milanese co-owners. Marcus Diniz is a serial loanee and will be 26 in August and a player Milan should definitely be looking to sell.

There are a good dozen players lost in the loan deal wilderness at the moment who should seek permanent transfers away from the club. Wilfred Osuji, Marco Gaeta, Filippo Perucchini and Matteo Chinellato are a just a few that find themselves in this position.


Michelangelo Albertazzi

Michelangelo Albertazzi, who seems to have spent an eternity on the books of Milan, has a future that looks set to be resolved. Now 22 years of age, the former youth product developed at an alarming rate for the Primavera but has failed to continue his progression. A central defender by trade, he has been seen at left-back for his current side Hellas Verona.

This lack of faith to field Albertazzi at central defence has put into question the player’s ability to play at the highest level. Fortunately for him, Verona seem keen on signing him for their upcoming season in Serie A, which would give him the chance to prove his doubters wrong.

But even for players’ whose futures haven’t quite gone to plan, there is always the possibility of a loan move. Realistically speaking, most of these players could find themselves shipped off to another club for 12 months, as Milan are known for their reluctance to part company permanently with players; legend or not.

One such player is Gianmarco Comi, who enjoyed a fruitful season on loan at Reggina alongside fellow youth player Rodrigo Ely. They were able to develop at their own rates with Ely establishing himself as a professional while Comi scored 11 times in Serie B. This kind of arrangement allows the Milan board to ascertain where each player is at with their progression.

Edmund Hottor and Simone Calvano are two more promising players that are expected to be loaned. Both midfielders earned great praise for their displays at youth level, but as yet have not featured regularly for a senior team. The goal for next season would be to grant both players the promise of first team football. While the likelihood for both Hottor and Calvano gaining such a thing at Milan is slim, it may be possible for some of Milan’s other talented youngsters.

At the start of the season, Milan had three relatively unknown youngsters listed in their senior squad. The first was Mattia De Sciglio who is now a regular for the first team, the other two were Mattia Valoti and Adria Carmona. Of course neither players made a competitive appearance and were both loaned out midway through the season.


Adria Carmona

However, both players were in fact listed as part of the first team roster which implies a degree of faith in their abilities. With this mind, what are the chances of players gaining a place in the senior side for the upcoming season?

Adria Carmona is a former Barcelona youth product currently on loan at Real Zaragoza, but despite his prestigious roots, he’s likely to spend another season on loan to improve as he is still relatively new to senior football.

Of the two, Valoti stands a better chance as he is physically prepared for Serie A, but question marks persist about his quality and what he would bring to the team. Marco Fossati, who has had a profitable season on loan at Ascoli, is a case for consideration as he’s fulfilled his role in the midfield department admirably.

The issue with this show of faith in these young players is they don’t necessarily turn heads as much others. The chances of one of Fossati or Valoti being chosen for the first team could ride on the futures of Mathieu Flamini and Antonio Nocerino.

There are co-ownership deals that need resolving between Milan and other respective clubs. Alberto Paloschi is perhaps one of the stand-out names that needed addressing and was, as Chievo renewed their half of the deal to keep the 23 year-old in Verona for another season. This agreement suits both parties as Paloschi needs playing time and is still unlikely to get it ahead of the likes of Mario Balotelli and Giampaolo Pazzini.

Andrea De Vito has joined Cittadella on a permanent basis and the futures of strikers Giacomo Beretta and David Speziale are being resolved. With Andrea Petagna expected to be promoted for the pre-season training as a stand in for the injured Pazzini, the chances of young strikers joining the current Milan side are small.

Finally, we come down to those Milan need to evaluate carefully. In recent years Milan sold Davide Astori and Alessandro Matri, only for the Rossoneri to start targeting them as possible signings. For a side trying to build itself on youth, it is imperative that they avoid this kind of embarrassment in the future.


Simone Verdi

Simone Verdi, who is co-owned between Torino and Milan and spent last season on loan at Juve Stabia, is exactly the kind of player Milan need to be watchful of. Verdi was one of Milan’s most promising players at youth level and even earned the nickname ‘Verdinho’ affectionately given on account of his style of play. While he may not have the same eye for goal that Stephan El Shaarawy has, he certainly has the speed and ingenuity to fashion goalscoring opportunities.

With Milan set to lose both Bojan Krkic and Robinho, bringing in someone like Verdi could be a well considered approach. He is a similar kind of player who is very direct when attacking and delivers excellent crosses into the box. It would also serve as a grand gesture that would, not only reinforce the club’s new youth philosophy, but also demonstrate loyalty toward those plying their trade away from the club.

At 20 years of age, Verdi is still very young and fortunately for him he has plenty of time to develop his game with the aim of returning to the San Siro.

When any player scores a hat-trick, it’s something worth noting, but the fact remains Oduamadi scored his against Tahiti and therefore the celebrations are a little muted. Having said this, the Nigerian did execute his first goal with great composure and did well to punish Tahiti’s defensive lapses.

His loan spell at Varese saw him score only twice in 16 appearances in Serie B, although it is fair concede he normally plays in a wide position. Technically not exceptional and certainly not a regular goalscorer but his explosive pace and link-up


Nnamdi Oduamadi

play make ‘Odu’ what he is. Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has reportedly given the go ahead for Oduamadi to attend Milan’s pre-season training, something that can only improve the youngster’s confidence further. Whether he’ll be an integral part of the Milan side next season is unknown, but he has certainly made himself known to the hierarchy.

Milan have a duty to honour their commitment toward their loaned players, many of whom should be rewarded for their own personal loyalty. With a new youth program being initiated, many of these players will need to step up and prove themselves worthy of the jersey. In the past, the club has been guilty of neglecting those working hard away from the club, something that has damaged the connection between the Primavera and the senior squad. Milan had become a team virtually impossible for youth players to break into, but with this change in outlook, many are hoping for a triumphant return. For players such as Marco Fossati, their efforts need rewarding, and what can be more fulfilling then a chance to play for the most successful team in world football?

In the past, the club has been guilty of neglecting those working hard away from the club, something that has damaged the connection between the Primavera and the senior squad.

Not sure I can agree fully with this. While there hasn't been many players come through in recent years that's probably more to do with the players than the way the club is being run in this area. MDS and Abate have come through and played, simply because they're good enough. Antonini was also given a chance and was hit and (mostly) miss. Who else out there is pulling up trees exactly? Matri and Paloschi are doing well, but that's 2 players in what, 8 years, that we've let go who've "succeeded".

That was an interesting read. Where is it from? I'd love to see us trim some of the fat on the roster and give players like Fossati and Verdi a chance. Strasser wasn't mentioned in that list, does anyone know his status?

I don't know if i publicise other sites, but being as how i didn't cite the article
it's forzaitalianfootball.com
Loophole?

I think it's their podcast I listen to.

with Dov' and Enzo? love those guys...

Indeed.

They both think the Allegri criticism is way over the top too, so I'm happy to listen.

Good result for Milan, no matter what.

And even better result for you, man. You also follow Dinamo, right? If so, congrats!

I'd rather Milan won it, but yes, Dinamo winning it isn't bad at all