Summer Mercato 2011

[Jay Crisp]

I was really against Boateng really against it , my humble pie is fantastic.But no AMD for him he's a powerful hard working mid not a AMD..Actually IIRC Brasileiro was as hard maybe harder than I on Boateng.But he's strong fast hard worker comfortable on the ball even if he looks a bit rushed at times and a tad awkward.

[brasileiro]

I was really against Boateng really against it , my humble pie is fantastic.But no AMD for him he's a powerful hard working mid not a AMD..Actually IIRC Brasileiro was as hard maybe harder than I on Boateng.But he's strong fast hard worker comfortable on the ball even if he looks a bit rushed at times and a tad awkward.

You´re right, Jay...

Still remember him at EPL against the big Clubs... But the guy arrives and was much better at Serie A than in EPL. I think Serie A fits him better. But not as AMD, please!!

[Jay Crisp]

Yeah I remember aswell , thats what frightened me.But he really matured during the WC.And upped his game alot.

[WCmilan]

I can't believe there are any questions about boateng being in our starting line up!? he's been great for us and imo has been one of our top midfielders this season... And it's not impossible to reach barcelonas level.. inter beat them 3-1 forgot? and inters treble winning team wouldnt have performed better then our new and improved team for next season (let's hope). but boateng is a good midfielder i like him alot. A barca with out messi would look alot weaker then there current. im just being optomistic , but lets face it barcelonas starting line up consists of every position has one of the best players in their position in the world and they have great if not a world class bench and the best player in the world(messi) as much as i love ronaldo messi has proven the world and over hes better if not ALOT better because of age difference, every year messi gets better.. im scared to see him when he should be at his peak (27-28)

[Hasan Rossonero]

WCMilan: I think the issue is also where Boateng plays, not only if he should start.

[Jay Crisp]

Maybe Messi will be like Kaka and Dinho.Great but reach's the peak too soon.Some peak early Kaka Dinh some late like Zidane.I hope it doesnt happen but you know what I mean

[Gabriel426]

I think as long as Messi stays in Barca, I really don't see how his performance would drop. maybe he won't score 50goals a season, but he will probably challenge CL year in and year out. Even if Milan signs, Hernanes, Ganso, Luiz to replace Nesta, Essien to play as DM along with Dzeko off the bench. I still don't think Milan can beat Barcelona in a 2 legs knockout stage. It is scary to know how great this Barcelona team is.

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Just read what some of you said about Chelsea players. For starter I think the squad is getting old and grew bait tired of themselves. A lot of their signings just did not perform at their known level over the past years. Say what u want about J Cole and Ballack, but they were two reliable options off the bench or as squad rotation players, someone who They did not replace. Then there is the Terry factor. Lampard is showing his age. While Drogba is actually 33. I don't think Carlo is at fault, since as of today, they are only 3 pts off ManU for the EPL and interesting enough, they will be facing off this weekend.

[brasileiro]

WCMilan: I think the issue is also where Boateng plays, not only if he should start.

Glad someone understood

[Ca Rossonero]

I do think an overlooked aspect and a genius of Allegri is what Boateng does bring to CAM position.

I don't want Boateng at CAM but in this squad it's best. Why? Because he provides a lot of work rate and movement. It's not surprising a lineup of Boateng, Robinho and ANY forward has gotten best out of seedorf and pirlo at LCM and the team as a whole.

Why? Because the duo provides more movement than any CAM/SS duo we're had since kaka/sheva. Makes sense right? When they are making runs, finding channels to run and constantly moving (i cant tell you how excited i am to see a nonstatic Milan!) it gives Seedorf or Pirlo passing options. See people want to act like they are too old. They aren't. Have they declined physically and not able to defense same way? Sure. But a playmaker of there ilk doesn't lose there vision or passing. Infact it typically only improves with age.

Boateng may not be most technical but it gives us our most active frontline and when someone finds space Seedorf or Pirlo find them.

Secondly, not playing Seedorf at CAM but not at DM (or pirlo for that matter) gives them proper spacing! They play that CM area xavi does, not too deep or too advanced. Not high enough that DM is on them or deep enough that they have to pass it 40 yards to hit forward. It also allows seedorf to sneak up late unmarked.

Secondly on defense Boateng higher up allows us to pressure. In conjuncture with robinho it allows us to pressure defenses, it stops counters because they can't pass it out quickly w/ accuracy because boateng is good tackler and aggressive. And we've won more than a few balls in the final 3rd and scored (brescia/bologna come to mind)

All this said, i don't want Boateng as our AM next year. But I do want someone like Kaka, someone like Pastore. Someone who moves off the ball well and makes runs like Robinho does, kaka did etc.

Allegri deserves A LOT of credit for realizing this and getting best our of senator playmakers, and forward line. It wasn't an obvious answer, I never saw it, but it works well and is best solution for the squad.

This is why I'm not opposed to bringing both Pirlo and Seedorf back to rotate LCM. They bring so much class. If we can't get Hernanes, Modric, Sahin or a similar player, I don't want to lose that class. A midfield of Constant, boateng, van bommel is painful. No creativity. Just work rate.

Rather keep that duo, Gattuso, sign an heir to the DM position who is young (m'via or Fernando come to mind) and another young proper box to box dynamo (to replace flamini)

[Gabriel426]

Agree with what you said Ca.

To me, I think Milan must bring in guys like Essien, Hernanes, Hamsik, Jucelei, Sahin, Honda, Kagawa or Cesc this summer along with the 99% sign Ganso, Mexes, and Taiwo. As I really don't see how this current Milan midfield can play against ManU and Barcelona(given there are no injuries to those two sides).

I think as long as Lazio lose the 4th spot, they might sell Hernanes. Or Milan can send guys like Verdi and Merkel free on loan plus cash for the Hernanes.

Honda and Kagawa will be on the cheap this summer, as one of them is just coming back from a 6 months injury while the other is playing solid due to too many games over the last year(Mostly Int'l games for Japan).

Pirlo to me is leaving, as he is someone who can still commends his desire wage, just so happens that Milan is not willing to pay that amount.

Seedorf, to me he can stay or go, as long as there is someone capable of starting in front of him in both league and CL games and that he will only plays here and there like what Billy did in his last year.

Ambro will most likely stay as sad as it is, I don't think he has any better place to go. Unless he wants to lead a young team aka Parma.

Borriello might come back. Imagine converting him into a midfielder. He is strong with the ball, can dribble pass defenders, not the greatest passer but is a good passer, got good speed, knows how to press and got good work rate. The only thing missing is his awareness in defense during open play, but since he is Italian, that should be in his blood.