Summer Mercato 2011

[russo-neri]

Sorry, completely off topic. but anyone ever see Ekdal's wikipedia page?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albin_Ekdal

His picture is hilarious to me. It just looks ridiculoous. It's like he's trying to be a cross between a model and darth vader's boss.

[abbeyleemania]

Honda is good player but even 20 m euros is too much for him. Milan didnt sign him when his price was 13-15 m euros, now they are talking about a fee which is 25-30 m euros. Hamsik proved himself at Serie A, since years. Honda had good CL 2 years ago. Good WC so far. His price was around 15 m euros, after good WC and CL campaign. What did Honda do this year for doubling his price? Did he win golden ball or something?

[sylrus]

yes 20 is to much for him
the highest fee for him should be 15
nothing more than that

[Jay Crisp]

Gabriel I have seen Hnda play good player.I have seen Ganso play great player in the making , IMO he is a better player than Honda.

[Gabriel426]

Have you seen Honda played? As he is not an unknown from Japan as he played in CL, ANd WC already. I am pretty sure he will do well in Milan and Serie A or any team he ends up at. At this point I think Honda is a better player but As I said earlier if I have to choose between the two, Ganso is the one as his upside is huge and he is not a bad player currently either.

Honda might not be a guarantee gateway for Milan to the Asian market but it certainly won't hurt. As mentioned, he is not a bad player actually he is a very good player and if he signs by Milan today, he will be in the starting 11 and is the most complete midfielder Milan have.

Another thing if Montolivo, and Marchiso is going for around 20 mil, than Honda is a bargain at 25. Since I don't think there are any Italian
midfielders between the age of 23-29 who are better than him.

Honda is inconsistent. He was often even benched in CSKA. That's what makes his price down. I think 20M are max for him, he should be no more expensive than Hamsik. Marchisio is expensive because he's Juve's youth product, one of the best they currently still have. Montolivo are nowhere near 20M even though he's captain, because his contract will expire in 1 year.

But I agree he is versatile, strong, has good technique, a lot of
willpower... a better version of Boateng, I would say.

He was on the bench last year mainly due to injuries and played too many international games. Since the Asian Cup was last year.

[Siregar]

Does anyone actually watch Honda regularly, not only from national team and European championship games?

[honsano]

Another interesting articles regarding the implications of a possible guilty Inter finding: http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editori...is-now-the

[ElMago99]

"Meanwhile, Catalan newspaper Sport has claimed Fabregas will not train alongside his team-mates or play in any of Arsenal's pre-season games as he looks to seal his dream move to Barcelona.

Sport also claim Barca coach Pep Guardiola will adopt a 3-4-3 formation to accommodate Fabregas in a midfield diamond.

Back at Arsenal, Wenger is said to be meeting Samir Nasri on Monday in a last-ditch effort to try and convince him to stay at the club"

Seems like Barcelona will soon not play with defenders

[Kastriot]

[b]
Sport also claim Barca coach Pep Guardiola will adopt a 3-4-3 formation to accommodate Fabregas in a midfield diamond.

That has to be the most stupid thing I have heard in recent years, and believe me I listen to everyhting Andy gray has to say

[ACMILAN1983]

Honda's a good player, but I honestly am not sure he should be bought. He fits the description as to essentially what we're looking for in our mezzala, but I don't see him really raising the level of our side the way Sweinsteiger or Fabregas would, or even how much Hamsik would if I'm honest even though I always like watching Honda play. Whether he raises our profile in Asia is in my view unimportant, as I'm interested in Milan winning, not from a commercial perspective (we're not Real who buy players to sell shirts).

Talk about Honda or Ganso isn't an issue either as I highly doubt they'll be competing for the same position. Ganso, if he joins seems certain to be used as a trequartista, while Honda is a mezzala.

Personally, I'm pretty excited at the Sweinsteiger rumours, as for me he seems the most realistic high profile target and one who could definitely raise our game.