(05-24-2022, 03:44 PM)nefremo Wrote: Let me apologize in advance for the long post. I just got some time on my hands, and thought it'd be good to "forget" about the success and all the celebrations of the past few days and turn our attention towards the "plan to conquer Europe".

Sucks that we are in the middle of this takeover and i'm sure it's putting everything on hold. I just hope it doesn't cause us to lose out on these deals that seemengly we've worked on for a long time.
I think all these deals being mentioned (Origi, Botman and Sanches) are fundamental in order to set us up for a big signing at RW.

-Botman at 30M: I know there are discussions in and around this one. Not to do with his quality, but in terms of "should we be spending" this kind of money on a position that seems covered, especially when we know our transfer budget is limited and there are (more pressing) needs elsewhere. But I think it's inportant to remember that options (and different types at that) are necessary. Right now, the only 2 players that can be trusted as CBs are Tomori and Kalulu. I am not worried about the aerial deficiencies here as their pressing keeps most of the opposition attacks far away from the goal. But to have someone that brings that (Botman), will prove very handy. To go further, Kjaer's condition is unknown until he comes back, and it looks Romagnoli is as good as gone. Gabbia was progressing well, but than that injury set him back. The last couple times he played, he looked completely off the pace and way behind the quality seen from Kalulu/Tomori.
I think if we want to compete at the highest levels, we need another top CB. I am all in for Botman and it also looks like this guys is very quick for his size. So we won't ever need to change our pressing line when he is in. When we were at our best in the past, we had multiple options. We need that again. And it also doesn't cause a shock to the club when/if someone was about to leave in a year. We'll already have a ready made and integrated player to take over. I think this is the key to being near the top consistently for years. Looking ahead and always having a plan to where losing 1 player doesn't cause a downfall.

Sanches at 20M: This one is an absolute must with Kessie leaving. Not only that, but it gives us a seemless transition into a 433 if we decide to do that. We've seen the benefit of doing this with Krunic...and to be fair, Sanches is twice the player Krunic is. It also brings that "need for an ACM" that we've talked about for so long a bit further down the list. With Sanches and Adli, I'm not sure that we even need to invest into an ACM and we can focus the rest of the available funds into a RW.

Origi for "free": It seems this will be our reinforcement for the CF position. I am ok with it to be honest. He's free. He's proved to do well in tough and physical competitions. He knows how to score in big games. He can play in multiple positions. Again, it's another case where it leaves extra funds to complete the squad by buying a RW. Ibra's future is unknown, but no matter what...Origi and Giroud with Rebic + Lazetic/Colombo is ok. It's not world class, but it's serviceable. And we may actually be surprised with what we see. In the right system, all these guys (with the exception of the 2 young lads) have proven to be great.

All that brings us to additions of:
-Botman (30M)
-Sanches (20M)
-Origi (free - sign on/agent commission will probably run high though - let's say 5M)
-Adli (already paid for last year?)
-Florenzi (buyout at 4.5M)
-Pobega (return from loan and keep)

Total spent there would be about 60M. Budget for reinforcements has been discussed at 80-100. Hoping that's true. If so, hopefully it's on the higher end of that , but let's assume somewhere in the middle (90) so we shpuld have at least 30M to spend on a RW. I honestly think those signins + a RW is going to put us in the group of top teams in Europe. Of course, the assumption is that our current players keep growing...and from what they've shown so far, there is no reason to believe they won't.

In addition to all that, i'm sure we'll see some "small" adjustments elsewhere like possibly selling FBT and using that money to sign a replacement. Probably replace Mirante and/or Tata. But these are all small operations and shouldn't eat into the budget by much.

(05-24-2022, 03:44 PM)nefremo Wrote: Let me apologize in advance for the long post. I just got some time on my hands, and thought it'd be good to "forget" about the success and all the celebrations of the past few days and turn our attention towards the "plan to conquer Europe".

Sucks that we are in the middle of this takeover and i'm sure it's putting everything on hold. I just hope it doesn't cause us to lose out on these deals that seemengly we've worked on for a long time.
I think all these deals being mentioned (Origi, Botman and Sanches) are fundamental in order to set us up for a big signing at RW.

-Botman at 30M: I know there are discussions in and around this one. Not to do with his quality, but in terms of "should we be spending" this kind of money on a position that seems covered, especially when we know our transfer budget is limited and there are (more pressing) needs elsewhere. But I think it's inportant to remember that options (and different types at that) are necessary. Right now, the only 2 players that can be trusted as CBs are Tomori and Kalulu. I am not worried about the aerial deficiencies here as their pressing keeps most of the opposition attacks far away from the goal. But to have someone that brings that (Botman), will prove very handy. To go further, Kjaer's condition is unknown until he comes back, and it looks Romagnoli is as good as gone. Gabbia was progressing well, but than that injury set him back. The last couple times he played, he looked completely off the pace and way behind the quality seen from Kalulu/Tomori.
I think if we want to compete at the highest levels, we need another top CB. I am all in for Botman and it also looks like this guys is very quick for his size. So we won't ever need to change our pressing line when he is in. When we were at our best in the past, we had multiple options. We need that again. And it also doesn't cause a shock to the club when/if someone was about to leave in a year. We'll already have a ready made and integrated player to take over. I think this is the key to being near the top consistently for years. Looking ahead and always having a plan to where losing 1 player doesn't cause a downfall.

Sanches at 20M: This one is an absolute must with Kessie leaving. Not only that, but it gives us a seemless transition into a 433 if we decide to do that. We've seen the benefit of doing this with Krunic...and to be fair, Sanches is twice the player Krunic is. It also brings that "need for an ACM" that we've talked about for so long a bit further down the list. With Sanches and Adli, I'm not sure that we even need to invest into an ACM and we can focus the rest of the available funds into a RW.

Origi for "free": It seems this will be our reinforcement for the CF position. I am ok with it to be honest. He's free. He's proved to do well in tough and physical competitions. He knows how to score in big games. He can play in multiple positions. Again, it's another case where it leaves extra funds to complete the squad by buying a RW. Ibra's future is unknown, but no matter what...Origi and Giroud with Rebic + Lazetic/Colombo is ok. It's not world class, but it's serviceable. And we may actually be surprised with what we see. In the right system, all these guys (with the exception of the 2 young lads) have proven to be great.

All that brings us to additions of:
-Botman (30M)
-Sanches (20M)
-Origi (free - sign on/agent commission will probably run high though - let's say 5M)
-Adli (already paid for last year?)
-Florenzi (buyout at 4.5M)
-Pobega (return from loan and keep)

Total spent there would be about 60M. Budget for reinforcements has been discussed at 80-100. Hoping that's true. If so, hopefully it's on the higher end of that , but let's assume somewhere in the middle (90) so we shpuld have at least 30M to spend on a RW. I honestly think those signins + a RW is going to put us in the group of top teams in Europe. Of course, the assumption is that our current players keep growing...and from what they've shown so far, there is no reason to believe they won't.

In addition to all that, i'm sure we'll see some "small" adjustments elsewhere like possibly selling FBT and using that money to sign a replacement. Probably replace Mirante and/or Tata. But these are all small operations and shouldn't eat into the budget by much.

(05-24-2022, 08:11 PM)Bennacer Wrote: Your posts is fantastic nefremo. Just have to say it. Always on point, and with a positive attitude towards our beloved club. You dont get the creds you deserve to be honest. You are one of the biggest reasons to read all the posts in here. Keep up the good work !

(05-24-2022, 08:49 PM)slifersd1 Wrote: One of the hallmarks of this current management is that we like to sign good players from relegation teams. Tonali, Messias, Bennacer, and Krunic all came from sides that got relegated. Cagliari couldn't beat the drop this year and has some talent on their team, I wonder if that's a team we are going to target.

(05-24-2022, 09:31 PM)Arildonardo Wrote: "AC Milan have been impressed by the reports they have gotten on Club Brugge star Charles De Ketelaere and are considering a move".

Ibrahim Ba has been doing scouting reports on him. 18 goals and 10 assists in 49 matches this season.

Main position is AM, but can also operate as a CF or RW. Sounds good to me!

(05-24-2022, 09:49 PM)nefremo Wrote: Ba still works for us? 
Man, I don't know. Unless he's blessed by Moncada's team...i don't wanna trust Ba's report.

Speaking of Ibrahim Ba....it's been incredible how this guy has remained on Milan's books for so long. I knew he was "a scout" for a long time for us...but honestly I totally forgot and assumed he's long gone by now. It's also very weird this relationship Milan has with Ba considering he wasn't here for very long, and when he was, he was pretty atrocious. So much so that I remeber his performances being used as a joke for many years after he left.
But maybe he has an eye for talent? After all, he wouldn't be here all this time if he didn't......I guess.

(05-24-2022, 09:43 PM)nefremo Wrote: I was actually looking through the squads of those that have been relegated because like you said, we've shown a few times that we have no problem signing players from those teams. Problem is I'm struggling to find any players that have shown to be good enough in places where we are at need. 
Cagliari looks really good on paper...but clearly none of those players performed. Maybe Cragno could be an option for a back up GK, but that's about it? Nahitan Nandez was expected to do well again but he's been injured most the time and when he's played he's looked bare average. I also wouldn't say he's better than either Jr or Saele...so in that sense, what's the point?

I don't see anyone in Venezia. Busio "impressed" me (relatively speaking beacuse I wasn't expecting much from a 19 year old that joined from the MLS) in the beginning of the season, but than (as most of that team) he took a step backwards. No way would he feature for Milan, but he's an interesting profile to sign and loan out to another Serie A side for a couple years. We are not known to do that though, so doubt it.

And Genoa? I wouldn't touch any one of their players. We've seen enough of that in the past . Jokes aside, I've seen people mention Cambiasso for a backup LB...but I have never been impressed by him. As a matter of fact....he's not better than FBT imo and I think many want him and their judgement is clouded because he is a young Italian. 

Now....going to the relegated EPL teams...there are some very interesting players. Those though, relegated or not, will not come cheap. Some we have even been linked to during the past year like Sarr from Watford and Aarons from Norwich.