Vercoe
11 years ago
3 years ago
1,510
I remember reading in one of The Secret Footballer's books that when they were bored during the transfer window, him and a group of mates would make up shit rumours about each other and try and get Sky Sports to run with it, often using each other as their "source" so that when Sky rung to verify it was true, they could say yes.
BR.
17 years ago
2 years ago
1,896
Interesting goings on in Milan this summer.

Bacca, Luiz Adriano and Bertolacci already in at Milan and Montoya, Kondogbia and Miranda at Inter.

Not quite the household names that both clubs have had in yesteryear but a major shift in transfer policy from them both and big steps forward - they should be a lot better next season.
bluemoon.
17 years ago
2 months ago
2,411
Premium
I really can't understand why Bacca has gone to Milan.
Based Jorge
10 years ago
3 years ago
1,399
Milan is still an absolutely massive club even though they're wank
bmg033
10 years ago
4 months ago
2,268
Apparently QPR rejected a £12m bid for Austin by Leicester.
bluemoon.
17 years ago
2 months ago
2,411
Premium
Milan is still an absolutely massive club even though they're wank

He's moving to an average team in an inferior league and giving up Champions League football in the process. I realise they're still a big club but that still strikes me as odd. I hope he's being paid a lot because that would explain it but Milan haven't exactly splashed out the cash over the last few years.

I'm pretty surprised nobody else has tried to sign him either.
Franck
17 years ago
3 days ago
4,255
Milan have a new co-owner who has been investing money.

And Milan are a much bigger club than Sevilla, CL or not.
Based Jorge
10 years ago
3 years ago
1,399
Yeah he's going to be getting shitloads too with their new co-owner. Him & Luiz Adriano are good signings for Milan, they're probably going to be getting CL football whilst Bacca is there regardless if they carry on spending.
bluemoon.
17 years ago
2 months ago
2,411
Premium
Milan have a new co-owner who has been investing money.

And Milan are a much bigger club than Sevilla, CL or not.

And? Since when is that the deciding factor in what club a player joins? They tend to be more interested in wages and the potential for success.

It does makes sense if they're actually spending money, I've got so used to Silvio being stingy I hadn't really considered that as a possibility.

Yeah he's going to be getting shitloads too with their new co-owner. Him & Luiz Adriano are good signings for Milan, they're probably going to be getting CL football whilst Bacca is there regardless if they carry on spending.

Going from 10th to 2nd/3rd would be pretty impressive tbh. It'll be interesting to see who else they bring in, maybe they'll finally get rid of Philippe Mexès and bring in an actual good centre-back.
Franck
17 years ago
3 days ago
4,255
And? Since when is that the deciding factor in what club a player joins? They tend to be more interested in wages and the potential for success.

There's a much greater potential for long-term success at Milan than there is at Sevilla. Milan is a club that has potential to win the CL, Sevilla will never even win the league.

Bacca turns 29 in two months, so this was probably his last opportunity to sign for a big club. Milan makes as much sense as the other clubs he was liked with.
Based Jorge
10 years ago
3 years ago
1,399
Inter are also going through a major overhaul with Miranda, Jeison Murillo & Montoya been brought in already
bluemoon.
17 years ago
2 months ago
2,411
Premium
There's a much greater potential for long-term success at Milan than there is at Sevilla. Milan is a club that has potential to win the CL, Sevilla will never even win the league.

Bacca turns 29 in two months, so this was probably his last opportunity to sign for a big club. Milan makes as much sense as the other clubs he was liked with.

It's not a team that has the potential to win the CL though, certainly not within the time he'll be there given that he is, as you say, almost 29. He's not exactly a long-term signing and as it's probably his last big contract, it's a slightly odd choice unless he's being given a bid wedge of cash (in which case it's entirely understandable).
Franck
17 years ago
3 days ago
4,255
It's not a team that has the potential to win the CL though, certainly not within the time he'll be there given that he is, as you say, almost 29. He's not exactly a long-term signing and as it's probably his last big contract, it's a slightly odd choice unless he's being given a bid wedge of cash (in which case it's entirely understandable).

If the transfer speculation was anything to go by, his options were Milan, Inter, Roma and Liverpool. Milan is as good an option as any of those.

And I think Milan could be a CL contender within 3 seasons with some investment and the right man on the bench.
bmg033
10 years ago
4 months ago
2,268
Inter are also going through a major overhaul with Miranda, Jeison Murillo & Montoya been brought in already

They've also got Kondogbia coming in too.
Franck
17 years ago
3 days ago
4,255
It's definitely been an interesting window in Italy so far. Both Milan clubs making some strong additions while Roma haven't really done anything major. No big moves from Napoli yet either.
BR.
17 years ago
2 years ago
1,896
Juventus came 7th in both 09/10 and 10/11, but have won four straight Scudetti since and got to the CL final. Milan won't do as well as that but it shows how you can get back up to the top quickly - and Roma and Lazio (2nd and 3rd last season) can easily (and unfortunately, in Roma's case) be overtaken IMO by the Milan clubs.
.verse
12 years ago
3 months ago
871
Juventus came 7th in both 09/10 and 10/11, but have won four straight Scudetti since and got to the CL final. Milan won't do as well as that but it shows how you can get back up to the top quickly - and Roma and Lazio (2nd and 3rd last season) can easily (and unfortunately, in Roma's case) be overtaken IMO by the Milan clubs.

Not without their own turmoil though. They did well to appoint Ranieri upon promotion, given he was a proven manner that was able to get the club back towards the top. Even though he didn't last his second season, his appointment was important. Then there was a bit of chopping and changing with managers in Ciro Ferrara, Zaccheroni and Delneri, before some big changes were had in the back room, which allowed Conte to come in. Once he joined and Juve relocated stadiums, things clicked.

Milan just haven't learnt. They've held onto a lot of players who've not been good enough. They've purchased poorly and appointed managers that simply haven't fit the mould of what has been required. Honestly, all the clubs such as Inter, Roma and AC Milan should have all been in better positions after Juve were demoted but none have really grasped the chance they had fully.
Franck
17 years ago
3 days ago
4,255
I think the most important thing Milan have done this summer is clear out all the old, over-paid players like Essien and Muntari. Mexes is still there but he's on much less than he used to be.

One would think Alex will be gone before the summer is over as well.

I don't think Mihajlović has what it takes to be a manager at a big club though. That's my big concern with Milan this season.
bluemoon.
17 years ago
2 months ago
2,411
Premium
If the transfer speculation was anything to go by, his options were Milan, Inter, Roma and Liverpool. Milan is as good an option as any of those.

And I think Milan could be a CL contender within 3 seasons with some investment and the right man on the bench.

Yeah, the other options aren't great.

There's no way in hell they will be a 'contender' for the CL within 3 seasons.
Franck
17 years ago
3 days ago
4,255
Yeah, the other options aren't great.

There's no way in hell they will be a 'contender' for the CL within 3 seasons.

You would have said the same about Dortmund in 2010 or Atletico in 2012.

Things can change quickly in football, especially given how weak the competition behind Juventus is right now.
Number 1
16 years ago
10 months ago
3,650
Report that van Persie had agreed terms on a move to Fenerbache. Would be an interesting move.
Sam
17 years ago
1 year ago
5,092
Such a shame to see him go, great guy. But it's definitely good for him to move on.
Franck
17 years ago
3 days ago
4,255
Looks like Fernando from Shakhtar will be joining Sampdoria. They are really losing all the Brazilian players this window, aren't they?
Based Jorge
10 years ago
3 years ago
1,399
Report that van Persie had agreed terms on a move to Fenerbache. Would be an interesting move.


In 15 years time, no-one apart from United fans will (barely) remember him. Weird.
Jonas
17 years ago
4 years ago
1,380
Premium
Looks like Fernando from Shakhtar will be joining Sampdoria. They are really losing all the Brazilian players this window, aren't they?

Can't blame them for leaving though. I would too.

In 15 years time, no-one apart from United fans will (barely) remember him. Weird.

A bit like van Nistelrooy then. Is it just me or does it feel like he's among those forgotten ones at times?
Sam
17 years ago
1 year ago
5,092
In 15 years time, no-one apart from United fans will (barely) remember him. Weird.


Don't worry, I'll be there to remind you he left Arsenal to win the title with us.
Sam
17 years ago
1 year ago
5,092
Duncan Castles has become a parody of himself and it's not even funny anymore.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
Don't worry, I'll be there to remind you he left Arsenal to win the title with us.

At least we can reminisce that Moyes happened as well.
Based Jorge
10 years ago
3 years ago
1,399
Handanovic
Montoya - Miranda - Juan Jesus - Santon
Kondogbia - Medel
Kovacic - Hernanes - Guarin
Icardi


Don't know any wide players so shoved Guarin in. That's not a bad team whatsoever.
Franck
17 years ago
3 days ago
4,255
Medel and Guarin are probably leaving and I believe Mancini wants to play 4-3-3. But yeah, Inter look good.

You'll need to Login to comment