Summer mercato 2012

[ACMILAN1983]

It is truly symbolic to me too, for all the reasons you offered. Maybe the clubs sees a long-term future in Boateng but not in Cassano or Robinho, but I like to comment that this #10 is perhaps the least stellar version in Milan history, at least for the past decades that I have followed Milan. Going backwards, Seedorf, Rui Costa, Boban, Savicevic, Ruud Gullit. As good as Boateng is, he is no way near the quality of those above mentioned names. It could as well indicate the club's lack of ambition, or at least lack of financial prowess, accompanied with a transition in the strategy of managing the club.

Of course, there can certainly be another explanation: Boateng asked for it, but Cassano and Robinho didn't. At Milan, we don't seem to assign numbers; rather, players call dibs.

Boateng, at least in terms in star name isn't as stellar as previous players, but to me that's why it's so important he is 10 and such an important act from the club. If he can produce the performances he did last season only throughout the season without injury problems all the way, then this guy will be recognised as world class and worthy of the shirt.

About assigning numbers, players can request specific numbers, but ultimately it will be the club who decides and with good reason. Today, shirt numbers are valuable marketing tools, with players synonymous with a number (just look at Beckham with 7). The number 10 is always one of the most valuable numbers as it is a number with so much history and therefore a number that will sell well. As a club, it always makes sense to give the number 10 to a player who you value highly as their shirt will sell even more.

Another thing that really bothers me about this Kaka rumor is that: We (Milan) would be doing Kaka a huge favor, not the other way around. Kaka is desperate coming back to Milan (or going elsewhere) because he does not want to miss the World Cup 2014 in Brazil. Every Brazilian player wants to be there, which alone would be a huge achievement for them. Kaka is going to miss it for sure at this rate, if he can't even get to play game at his club. Seriously, he never really played well in Real Madrid, not at all. He never wanted to come back to Milan in his first bad season, second bad season, or even during the third bad season, why all of a sudden now? I think that he is dropped from Brazil NT, that he is not in the Olympics team (like Silva or Marcelo), that he is not even in the Real Madrid's summer squad made him realize that he can no longer afford losing time. Considering that the squad is usually pretty much set six months or a year before the tournament, Kaka really only has one full season left (2012-13) to regain the trust of Brazilian coach. That's where Milan the rescuer kicks in. I am sure that he loves Milan, but Milan certainly is not his first priority. WC'14, money, religious stuff, Real Madrid, we would be happy if Milan was his fourth or fifth.

If he is this desperate, we should simply ask for him to work it out with Real Madrid for release from his contract. But no, he doesn't want to burn that bridge and ruin his "good image"; and certainly if he did that, he would also be in a bad position dealing with Milan, though I don't see Milan going harsh on him (we should.) Why 13 million transfer free? A huge mockery of Milan's prudent or even cruel (in the case of Silva&Ibrahimovic) transfer policy recently. and his salary (even though I don't know the amount), and more concerning, his injury and as a result of which, lack of pace. Bottom line, Kaka is not going to help Milan as much as Milan helping him. Part of me still likes him and appreciates what he has done for Milan, but I certainly don't want to see him back at this Milan. Maybe when Berlusconi sells the team to someone really rich, I don't mind having a 35-year old Kaka back sitting on the bench earning 20M a year, reminiscing on the good old time. But not right now, not right after we sent Silva away for "fiscal health" of the club.

We are doing Kaka a huge favour, but it's that hunger to reach the 2014 world cup that makes this deal even worth considering, as that goal means he'll be determined to be in the limelight for 2 years. It's also why I said I think he's got 2 years max in him now.

I will say I'm still not keen on this deal, my opinion hasn't changed.

http://www.football-italia.net/21588/mil...-ultimatum

How long before someone else steps in and offers what Montpellier wants?

For the moment I'm not concerned. I think if this is true, it's only an act to put pressure on Montpellier to sell him on our terms. I said before when discussing this transfer that we would be able to use his contract ending next summer to our advantage. While other clubs, Arsenal mostly and I think Newcastle too, have been looking at him, the fact that we're currently the biggest name in for him and have already agreed personal terms means we're well ahead of others.

Btw, anybody interested in Olympics football? I watched two great games tonight. Japan beat Spain 1-0 but could've scored at least three more, and Brasil - Egypt that ended 3-2.

I'm keen to watch the Olympics football, as I think there are quite a lot of good teams and it's a good indicator of where teams are heading looking towards Brazil 2014.

I would be surprised if Mbiwa wasn't valued by other than us, he's 23 and already the captain of the french league champions. He also just missed the french EC squad. I wouldn't mind us getting him.

I saw the highlights from those matches. Japan's counter attacks were lightning fast, but Spain's defence was a total catastrophy. Seems like Brazil were cruising in the first half, and then relaxed a bit too much in the second. Too bad Pato didn't start the match... They still got a decent attack with Neymar, Hulk and Damiao.

I saw the end of the Japan - Spain match and if I'm honest in that period Japan should have killed the game off, with 2-3 great chances.

Similar with Uruguay, I saw a little bit where Lodeiro scored. He looks an interesting talent.

I saw about 15 minutes of GB - Senegal, with GB looking like a team that's not really got an identity in what seemed a fairly dull match.

Instead, I did see Brazil's match fully and while the first half was impressive, their drop in concentration during the second really was a worrying sign. Juan, the Inter defender, was awful. Pato had just over 15 minutes, where his movement looked decent and he would have scored if Marcelo could pass. I'm hoping to see more of him through the tournament.