Summer Mercato 2011

[Best-Pundit]

Bring back Kaka and Sell Ibrahimovic. I like it.
Sometimes, to go forward, one has to go little bit backwards.
We need our Kaka back in #10 jersey!

[nefremo]

With Mexes and Taiwo our defense should be set. The only thing we need to do there is offer an extension to Nesta and make sure that he stays. Get rid of Janku and 2 of Bonera,Legro,Papa. Oddo has another year on his contract that he extended at the start of this year. So I'm thinking he'll stay. Which is fine. It doesn't really matter. While we haven't seen Didac at all which tells me that he might go out on loan or just play a peripheral figure again. That gives us:

RB:Abate, Oddo, (Zambro)
LB:Taiwo, Antonini, (Zambro)
CB:Nesta,Silva,Mexes,Yepes,(1 of Bonera,Papa,Legro as 5th choice)



The midfield is obviously where changes will be made. So we'll see what happens.

*Flamini: I would sell Flamini if a good offer comes along, however that might not be easy to do. He makes 5 mil a year here and has recently said that he is happy. i don't know which team will offer him more money then that and then also tempt him to leave a Milan team that is obviously showing ambitions of getting back to the top of Europe again. At least from what B&G have been saying. So I am thinking he'll stay and that's fine in my opinion.

*Gattuso: I would love to keep him for another year. But if the rummors of the Russians are true and the figures going around are true, then I wouldn't be against it. Gattuso has talked about leaving a couple of times now. And he's always been honest about it. I have so much respect for the man. So if he goes he goes. The wages saved and the transfer fee received would come in handy. And it's definitely time for rejuvenation. However if he stays, then I'd be happy too. But I would only let go of one between him and Flamini.

*Ambro, Seedorf, Pirlo: This is where it can get tricky. Depending on what players we can bring in. In an ideal world, i would offer MVB an extension and keep Ambro. Let Seedorf and Pirlo go and bring in two midfielders, both of which should be technically strong. (Ganso and Banega , no links to Banega but he is my personal favorite so that's why he makes it in here). Also depending on Samp's status I think looking at Poli should be taken into consideration.

DM: M.V.Bommel, Ambrosini
CM: Flamini, Gattuso, Emanuelson, (technical CM- Banega/Poli*), Merkel
AM: Boateng, Ganso*

Strasser should go out on loan, and if one of Flamini/Gattuso does leave then we will need one more player in there.

-I wonder if we can step up for Giovinco this summer. He is not going back to Juve and Parma only have an option to buy 50% for only 3.5mil. He can be very useful and surely help out in the ACM position along with Ganso (if he comes). That can give us more options in the middle and we can use Boateng in a more of a CM position. What matters is that there surely seem to be options out there and Lamela is another one. It seems like that club is set on improving the squad and finally rejuvenating the aging midfield. So it'll be an exciting summer I think.

The forward line should stay the same for the most part. With Pato, Ibra, Robinho, Cassano. If Inzaghi renews then he will be very useful like always. And if not then I think Berretta should be brought up whenever there is a need and should be given more opportunities.


Sorry for the long post.....just putting ideas out there. It should be a good summer for us. Hopefully we are not being hopeful for nothing.

[Gabriel426]

Honda can defend but don't expect him to be a Gattuso.
I think both Honda and Hernaes can play in the starting lineup together. Honda is basically a more skill version of Boateng and bait less physical, but his work rate is second to none. Hernanes to me is a complete CM, but what I like him most is the fact that he elevates those around him.
Both should be sign, if they are available.

[WCmilan]

I say honda cant defend because its to a certain extent - He's small on a physical aspect , he won't add defensive depth to the midfield in any way shape or form, many midfielders can offer his defensive abilities, so what i really was trying to proove is if its a decision between Hernanes or Honda by no means would I choose honda, hernanes all the way. Hernanes at CM would be amaaazing for us and I can't imagine honda playing at a left or right midfield position, if anything his best suited position is in the centre because his range of passing, he wouldn't be the best option though for RCM/LCM however I wouldn't really mind getting Honda anyways as long as he works hard, he'll bring in $$$ from jap. supporters and he'll still do a good job im sure it's not like were dealing with a crap player, were dealing with to world class midfielders one more world class then the other is all.

What im really worried about is if binho leaves with these new players coming in wouldn't you think one of him or cassano would leave? II wouldn't really mind letting cassano go however i feel if he gets back in shape even at 30-31 years old he can still offer alot i cant believe how half a season without playing made him so out of form!

[Gabriel426]

The thing is that MIlan want to really win it all next year and I doubt the team on paper will be weaker than the one this year.
Cutting loose guys like Slowdorf and Pirlo and replacing them with Honda and Hernanes will be a huge upgrade.

What they done already with getting Mexes and Taiwo are already a huge improvement over the likes of Bonera, Legro, Janku, Oddo, Dilac and Antonini.

As long as Galli sticks to the plan, then Milan will be a better team than this past year.

[Ca Rossonero]

Honda's not small or weak. Yeah he shouldn't play DM but you can't tell me a midfield where he is LCM is bad defensively.

----------CAM-------
Honda--MVB--Boateng

That looks fine defensively to mean. We used pirlo and seedorf in that role and were fine.

If I had my way we'd sign hernanes, honda and lamela.

Hernanes would solidify our CM combo w/ Boateng and MVB/Ambrosini/Gattuso (whoever is pure DM). Hernanes would be like what pirlo was to us in his prime, but with better defense. He's one of few players able to control a game thru possession in CM in the world.

Lamela I love his potential. Honda would give us an immediate option to play CAM now (and leave Lamela to grow slowly, play smaller games, sub etc.) and would be able to sub hernanes role as possession player/midfield maestro.

I simply don't like idea of having a CM where boateng is our best passer. He's not a very good passer, but he does a lot of other things well which are vital.

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http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,1...03,00.html
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It's rumored on serbian tv (off another forum) he signed a pre-contract with Milan, potentially staying in serbia for another year. Apparently a big defensive talent

[WCmilan]

I agree Boateng isnt a very good passer thats for sure, I haven't watched much of Honda so maybe thats why but I haven't seen him play very defensive football, it's not like im against the idea of getting him id be overjoyed with him or hernanes to be honest, but I would rather Honda as CAM for Lamela to develop , hes a not so expensive option while Lamela's going through development, but for CM I'd prefer Hernanes. I have to admit I'm starting to get convinced by the possibility of Honda how you guys explain him, i just watched a lot of him in the world cup and a few youtube vids so im noone to judge especially since he was deployed in an attacking role for japan, I can't wait for this mercato to be over and i feel that it would be better to isolate the left and right side of our midfield with defensive minded midfielders who can give a quality pass, like MVB especially in CL many teams are lethal going down the wings, let's not forget our tottenham experience plus many other teams that play like this
Manu - Nani,Valencia
Tottenham-Lennon,Bale
Bayern-Ribery Robben

Bottom line some of the most deadliest players will be found playing on the wing, and in CL it seems to have worked but in the end barcas masterclass of posession always usually wins, but if we can have a left and right midfielder with defensive quality we would need a CM who's one of the best in the business, with pace too to make up for it thats why i just think Hernanes would be a better fit then Honda. For the CAM position thats a different story as i'd love to see Honda and Lamela come in, be great to have Honda while we have a super star in the making in Lamela

Is that defender serbian? Hopefully he can be better then the over rated vidic. I'm sorry Vidic is a good defender but just because he plays for manu in epl he is hyped SOOOO MUCH thiago is alot better then him, my proof is how Kaka completely destroyed him in 2007, i dont think vidic could get one challenge right on him.. Plus he was also a bit to blame for our 2nd goal with a weak tackle that saw the ball deflect in the air to seedorf for the 2-0, but anyways I'm not saying its easy to stop a kaka in his prime, but I'm positive silva would have done a lot better job then he did, especially in a semi-final i actually think silva would isolate him no disrespect to kaka<3

[Gabriel426]

For starter, Honda played as a lone striker in WC. SO you really can't judge his defense on that. As I said, he is not a beast like Gattuso defensively, but do look at him as a more skillful Boateng. He is not as physical as Boateng but he is no push over either. Hernanes as I said before is the most complete CM in the world.

I am with Ca in that, if I have my way, I would sign Honda, Hernanes and Lamela all in one go this summer. As they will provide more than enough options in midfield and attack for Milan to challenge on all fonts.

[tim_milan]

Honda could be used anywhere in the midfield but he is most suited as a CAM. So if we cannot get Ganso/Pastore (if we r even thinking of getting him) for various reasons, Honda for 15 mil. could be a decent buy for a player who has played in Europe n plus buy Lamela to develop in the mean time. I think Honda is non EU which might be a problem. I read someone mention Banega. He s a more than decent CM as well. But if we can somehow get Hernanes it would be perfect then we would have a pretty solid first team which looks like this

--------Abbiatti--------
Abate----Nesta---Silva-----Taiwo
Boaetang-MVB-Hernanes/Banega
Ganso/Patore/Honda/Lamela
Pato-Ibra

[Gio-mania]

Honda isn't that small. Wikipedia the All-Knowing lists him as 180 cm. That's taller than our defensive midfielders Flamini and Gattuso (and just 2-3 cm less than Ambrosini). He isn't that skinny either, so he should perform well even in physical games.

Now I haven't seen him much, so I cannot vouch for his defensive qualities. Nonetheless, his work rate is so high it can almost compensate. And he is young and seems quite clever, so I'd say Allegri can improve him considering what he has done with Abate who doesn't seem to be the smartest bloke around. With two runners like Honda and Boateng, we can afford to play only one true mediano (Bommel) since they can both compensate for lack of pure defensive skill with running. The midfield Ca Rossonero suggested could very well work:

------------CAM--------------
Honda--V.Bommel--Boateng

The question remains who we should get as CAM. The names right now are Ganso, Hernanes, Lamela and Pastore.

Now consider that depending on the game at hand, we would still have some valid mediani on the bench. Flamini will most certainly stay (see nefremo's post) and so might one of Ambrosini and Gattuso (given the offer at hand I'd probably let him go). If we want to opt for a more defensive midfield we could push up one of Honda or Boateng to the CAM position and place a mediano in the midfield trio. Actually maybe even two of them, even if that would probably not solve any problems. Anyway, the point is we have valid options.

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I still want to stress the importance of Galliani's statement that we have too many players at the moment. We have 31 players and we want to reduce it to 25-26. This is the situation accounting for Mexes, Taiwo and the 2 midfielders:

GK (3): Abbiati, Amelia, Roma
DF, C (7): Nesta, Silva, Yepes, Bonera, Papastathopoulos, Legrottaglie, Mexes
DF, R/L (7): Abate, Zambrotta, Antonini, Oddo, Jankulovski, Didac Vila, Taiwo
MF (12): Ambrosini, Gattuso, Seedorf, Pirlo, Flamini, Van Bommel, Boateng, Emanuelson, Merkel, Strasser, CAM/Trequartista, Creative Midfielder
FW (6): Inzaghi, Zlatan, Pato, Robinho, Cassano, Oduamadi

The grand total is 35 players. And yes, players like Strasser and Oduamadi count on the list.

We therefore have to lose 9-10 players. And for every other player we want in, one has to leave (I'm expecting just 2 big signings though).

The obvious deadweights are Jankulovksi, Legrottaglie and Sokratis. These guys should almost certainly be sold, even for peanuts. Maybe Sokratis loaned. Vila should also be loaned, unless management/Allegri have high hopes for him (which I doubt ). Then there is Bonera. Is having 4 dedicated/pure CB's enough? In any case it might be nice to have someone versatile like Daniele, albeit awful at times.

So from that block of players we can/should realistically free up 4-5 players through sales or loans. We probably wont earn much, although Janku's wages are quite high.

Then we have some youngsters. Merkel, Strasser and Oduamadi. I would loan out the last two. Merkel seems ready to play some more games for the first team. So here we lose another 2 players.

Now the tricky question; i Senatori. To me Nesta is an obvious keep. Inzaghi too. THe question revolves around the mediani Gattuso, Ambrosini, Seedorf, Pirlo and Van Bommel (isn't really a true senator, but still falls into that category). Considering we freed up 6-7 spots with the previous categories, we should be okay with letting 2-3 of these guys go, assuming we just reinforce the midfield with two men. It's really up to the management who to let go and it also depends on who we end up signing.

Gattuso and Pirlo, though, are my most instinctive players to let go. They are also the ones we really earn money on and the most realistic ones as things stand right now.

Seedorf is a tricky question. When he is motivated he is one of the best midfielders in around. When he is less inspired, he gets boos from his own fans. Will he be motivated all year long? Hard to say. We should add that he nonetheless requires two mediani to function properly; we've all seen him and Pirlo play together this year. It would be good to let him go when he is on top. As much as it hurts, it's better to part with such a good memory of him than seeing him walk his way around the field for 90 minutes. The problem with letting both him and Pirlo go, however, is that we will lose two very unique, creative and technical players hard to find.

Van Bommel I would keep. He has always done well, despite his aggressive tendencies. An incredibly smart player. Then we have Ambrosini. I feel like he's sometimes underrated by the fans. He still does his job and he is the captain after all. Add the fact that he earns less than the other Senators ("just" 3 mln) and that we can probably half than with his new contract, and I don't see why we should drop him.

I trust the management will do the right job, considering they said they want to invest and take us to the top of Europe. The key is getting rid of the deadweight, loaning some youngsters and finally making the right choices with the Senators.

P.S: Wow, sorry.... that post turned out longer than expected