Summer Mercato 2011

[Hasan Rossonero]

Allegri: We have Mexes and Taiwo

Milan have signed Philippe Mexes and Taye Taiwo for next season, boss Massimiliano Allegri has revealed ahead of their Coppa Italia semi-final.

Speaking before Tuesday’s Italian Cup encounter against Palermo, Allegri made the revelation when asked about the club’s summer plans.

“We’ll be fine in defence as we’ve signed Mexes and Taiwo,” he noted on Monday afternoon.

Both defenders will arrive on Bosman free deals and will join from Roma and Marseille respectively.

Mexes may not be fit enough to start the campaign though as he is currently recovering from knee ligament surgery.

Turning to Tuesday’s game in Sicily, after the first leg ended 2-2, Allegri insisted his side are hungry and ready to win following Saturday’s clinching of the Scudetto.

“Does a possible Final with Inter fascinate me? I’m just fascinated by the Final,” continued the former Cagliari Coach.

“The side is mentally prepared for the game against Palermo and I’m sure we’ll play a great match.

“There was euphoria at training today after winning the title, but the squad then trained as normal.

“Mentally they are ready. We know that we are Milan and we can’t go to Palermo and play poorly.

“When you are at Milan you can’t stop when you win something because after the Scudetto there is the Coppa Italia, after the Coppa there is the Super Cup…

“You have to always look ahead, that’s a rule of life for me.”

The tactician does have his selection problems though for the Cup clash, with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic just one man who is struggling with fitness.

“We have to evaluate the condition of Ibrahimovic who we hope to recover and Kevin Prince Boateng too, as well as Gianluca Zambrotta and Alessandro Nesta.”

football-italia

[ElMago99]

Ganso's injuries are worrisome no doubt and I trust Galliani will make the right decision for Milan. He is an expert on transfers and seems to have a good chemistry with Allegri.

I am a bit nervous that if we don't land Ganso, we will go for Kaka. It seems as though Allegri wants one or the other. Kaka is past his prime, also injury prone, and IMO not a good buy for anything more than 10-12 Million. There's no upside. Lamela is too young to jump into starting Attacking Mid spot, so it gets a bit tricky. We will see what happens.

It's amazing to me people want Seedorf to stay. I say he is the FIRST of the Senatori to go. I think Pirlo is gone on the assumption we buy an ACM, however, I personally thought he was very good at LCM when I saw him there. If we have Van Bommel & Gattuso also in mid, we can afford Pirlo + ACM + 2 Strikers.

Lastly, Allegri has confirmed Taiwo & Mexes, just as we've thought all along. That's excellent, and now our defense is instantly set. Perhaps Astori for Papa, but even if we don't I still think our defense has improved greatly already.

If any of the Senatori leave, Poli would be first in mind to replace them. The biggest question mark of the mercato is and will be the ACM spot....

[russo-neri]

Agree about not wanting Montolivo - a bit too hyped up in my opinion. His reputation is too strong considering what he has actually accomplished in his career. He may yet prove to be the best Italian midfielder, but I'd rather he prove that elsewhere.

I wanted to chime in on our midfield players who are at the end of their contracts. It seems that a majority here want Seedorf back. How quickly we forget all the bad play from Seedorf the past few years. Yes, he's been very good for us recently, but he's #1 player who I think should leave. I'd rather get rid of a player a year early than a year late. I actually want all of our older mids to go, except for Gattuso who I think is too important of a locker room presence to dispose of. If some team offers a crazy amount of money for him, then cash in. But if only modest offers arise, then we are better off with him.

Keep MvB, Nesta and Pippo. Let Pirlo, Ambro and Seedorf go.

Ganso is hurt again? Then that's it - we look elsewhere for ACM. It is dumb to pay so much for a player who obviously has injury concerns. Lamela looks great. Hamsik would be incredible. There are other options.

Not thrilled about Mexes. But very happy about Taiwo.

If we can snag Hernanes and either Lamela or Hamsik, then transfer season is pretty much over. We would have everything we need to win CL next year. Maybe a cheap player or 2 for depth.

[abbeyleemania]

Rodrigo Ely is wanted by Palermo... it seems Bologna wants to loan Fossati for next season. De Sciglio, Calvano, Fossati and Ely will be tried by Allegri at least for pre-season.

im hopeful for Calvano... i have much hope for both him and Merkel...

Kaka's time at Milan is over... His salary is too much...injury prone... passed his best...Milan sold him at best time...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7HI6eeRKS4

[Pato Milan]

Watching videos from Maestr021 and found this:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Maestro21UCL...1cbXCmJiNE
minute 8:48
=0 it's just so hard to imagine a football player smoking

[xudong]

was that Oddo? I am with you. It is simply unthinkable. Smoking damages anybody's body and particularly for an athlete it should be banned.

Also, how true was that rumor that Galliani promised Oddo that if he could finish 400m within 1 minute then he would get a contract renewal? Oddo finished it in 58 seconds by the way. So... darn.

[WCmilan]

Who was that smoking oddo? I could imagine it lol i could imagine him cassano and gattuso all smoking

[theaxeofpain]

Yeah, Oddo was smoking. Hardly shocking to be honest. A lot of footballers smoke, if I remember correctly even Cruyff used to smoke.

[Jay Crisp]

Klinsman smoked like a chimney...yeah he took that lap in record pace why not that fast on the pitch.

[xudong]

wow, it is even more shocking now that you guys told me how many famous players smoke. How can they have healthy lungs! They need healthier lungs than we do! and I don't even smoke!

HOLY SMOKE!