Summer mercato 2012

[ACM2023]

I read an article on goal.com, and although being goal.com (most their articles I tend not to believe) that Cassano is likely to go to Genoa as they look to replace Palacio.. that would sound good, seeing as kaka is likely to come back to us.. but, this is a deal where I don't know who Genoa would give us in return.. I'd be happy with them signing destros other half then a direct swap but apparently Destro is practically a Roma player...

And La Gazetta reports Cassano "is flirting" with Inter ... While Kaka will come back "at home".

If Cassano leaves, we need a striker.

But Cassano to Genoa is something I don't see happening, because it seems he would like to come back to Samp, so why going to the rival ? Well, some might reply me why there are rumours he could go to Inter if he is in Milan, and you would be right !! But the guy never says he loves Milan, he's just one player moving quite regularly actually.

Cassano flirting with Milan? Interesting. Let's swap him with Ranocchia then.

LOL at the journalists for linking Cassano with Inter while he is a Milan player; and for linking Cassano with Genoa when he said that he wants to go back to Sampdoria.

I guess there is not enough controversies in the hot summer of Italy.

How can I be wrong, if those players played in other teams instead of Milan.

There is still Demetrio Albertini that fits your bill.

Finally, and imo the most symbolic, is Boateng's the new number 10. This to me is a massive thing, as number 10 is traditionally one of the most significant numbers a player can have. You're talking about Pele, Maradona, Baggio, Platini and at Milan Rui Costa, Seedorf, Rivera and Gullit. For Boateng to be given this number means a few things to me. First and most important, it's the biggest show of faith I think the club has shown in Boateng, as they wouldn't just give it to anyone. Secondly, it shows that Boateng's role in this squad and size is more important than ever, as now, I think he's valued as a leader on the pitch. Finally, it could also maybe mean he stays in an advanced role and won't return to midfield. Truth is, this number could have been given to Cassano, Robinho or some big new signing and it would have been fairly normal, but I think in this choice the club have made a big statement.

It is truly symbolic to me too, for all the reasons you offered. Maybe the clubs sees a long-term future in Boateng but not in Cassano or Robinho, but I like to comment that this #10 is perhaps the least stellar version in Milan history, at least for the past decades that I have followed Milan. Going backwards, Seedorf, Rui Costa, Boban, Savicevic, Ruud Gullit. As good as Boateng is, he is no way near the quality of those above mentioned names. It could as well indicate the club's lack of ambition, or at least lack of financial prowess, accompanied with a transition in the strategy of managing the club.

Of course, there can certainly be another explanation: Boateng asked for it, but Cassano and Robinho didn't. At Milan, we don't seem to assign numbers; rather, players call dibs.