Forgive the double threading today, I had to get these issues off my chest.

I've been a serious Milan fan for around a decade, and I had big leanings towards the club before then. And I can safely say this is the most threadbare and feeble squad I can ever recall. In my lifetime tbh.

We've sold off the family jewels in Silva and Ibra, two players who elevated us, if not to Europe's absolute elite, then to a decent top 15 European club.

We've also lost one of the greatest defenders the game's seen in Nesta, so instead of a frankly incredible central defence in those two the best we have now are Yepes and Mexes. While not rubbish players they're hardly the kind of defenders Milan should have as first choice CBs.

Then on the flanks we have Antonini (let's face it, we ain't getting Kolarov) and Abate.

Midfield sees the fairly decent Montolivo and the industrious Nocerino, while Ambro, Muntari, Flamini, Constant, Urby, and Traore vie for the remaining slot. But none of these are players to inspire confidence in elevating the side above the norm.

The one marquee player is Boateng, but that he's behind the constantly below par or injured Pato, the talented but inconsistent Cassano, the relatively unknown Shaarawy and the reasonable Robinho rather undermines what he can give to the team.

The squad has been stripped, carved open, and its entrails lie all over the place - it is staggering to consider how weak this set of players is by Milan's standards.

We lost a hell of a lot of players this summer, but that Traore and Constant are about all we're seemingly bringing in is quite hellish.

Anyone else concerned that this squad may struggle to finish in the top 6?

It may be our weakest squad in a long time on paper but as for me it's refreshing to see new players, it could be start of a new era for Milan. I'm concerned that we might not win Scudetto but I believe this squad can at least challenge for top 3.

+1

Especially if we make a couple of last minute signings.

As for the weakest Milan side I've witnessed, it's got to be the 2000-2001 team.

Amen.


Yes.

I think if we don't make top 6 the fault will be squarely on the squad and coach not performing. Realistically, Juve, Inter, Napoli, Roma, Udinese are the only teams which you can claim are as good as us or more of a team. Still leaves us with 6th spot. Even if we SUCK.

The reason why I don't buy into this FFP cr@p is because with the squad we have we'll essentially be banning ourselves from the CL.

This squad is just not good enough right now. And with only 3 spots available it's looking more likely that CL won't even be a concern for us anymore

I think you meant to say "Still leaves us in trouble". 6th spot this year and/or next be pretty bad for us.

Well..his question was if we would struggle for top 6. I mean we're up **** creek, but we're not sinking so-to-speak!

Makes sense. Be interesting to see how we finish this upcoming season, nevertheless!

Mexes, Zapata, Abate, Montolivo, Nocerino, Boateng, Pato, Cassano, Robinho.

They're the only good players we have left. The rest are mediocre to downright pathetic players. The thing is that with a couple more purchases we could easily field a decent enough starting eleven. That's why I'm hoping for an injury-free season, so we can at least play our best men and not be forced to rely on our subs like it happened last season, when we had Thiago and Ibra saving our sorry asses match in and match out.

Didn't know we'd signed Zapata.

Abbiati? I dislike the guy, but he should be really mentioned here.

Well, he's a goalie, that's why I didn't mention him.

So, you're discriminating goalies nowadays

Well, a team can be great even without a quality GK. Case in point, Barcelona.

That's true.

Yup, very true. Quite a few national teams over the years have done wonders with average GKs for extended periods of time, even winning World Cups (Brazil 2002, Marcos). Club football is different, but Barcelona are an exceptional case in the sense that very rarely have I seen their current goalkeeper be the difference maker.

During a match he spends half the time thinking deep thoughts, and the other half being a class-A preck.

And despite being possibly the most average goalie in La Liga, he was in Spain's Euro 2012 squad.

Yes, he's always been lucky this way. His inclusion has mostly got to do with his Barcelona connection, and fortunately Spain has not had the need to call upon his services in a crucial match, just because Casillas is always on form and fitness. So he pretty much enjoys the ride, and free World Cups and Euros.

Valdez is practically the captain of the Catalonia National Team - played 12 matches for them up till now.

I've read somewhere that Catalans dislike Valdes because he refuses to speak Catalan and is pro-Spain. It was ages ago when I read about it, so I cannot cite the source or verify anything.

Oh. Catalans are a funny group. I know their history and all, the wars and battles they had with the main Spanish armies over the ages, but really a symbolic Catalan NT that plays so few matches is just kind of weird to me. In fact, not many other international teams play with them because of FIFA issues, I reckon.

@ Danny

Big players want high wages, Zlatan, Silva, Ronaldinho, and the lot would rather play in Russia than lower their wages. Kaka will only come if he respects the wage-cap set at Milan. And with that, we will have cemented the notion that there is a wage ceiling at this club, as there is at Arsenal or one of the more efficient German teams (by efficient I mean Income/Expense).

Now with that off my chest, I see where your coming from Milan fans staged a protest at the clubs headquarters with a funeral ... So your not far off that bat. But instead of adding salt to injury, why not believe in a young Milan. An Arsenal protegee if you will, something in the making; two or three years down the line and we might be back in it

But buying average players a la Traore,Acerbi,Muntari is certainly not helping our case...:/
El sharaawy is something I can believe in for example.

I love how the Arsenal model is used as an example. Why would anyone want to strive to achieve what Arsenal have achieved on the pitch, which is a big fat zero for I don't even know how many years now. It's just ridiculous. If you want to be successful in today's football then money has to be spent.

+1

But I think we're being a bit too harsh on Arsenal as well. In a span of 10 years they've had 2 major European finals (both lost), won the EPL twice and about 3 FA Cups. Add to all of that the fact that they don't have a world class manager and that a magnificent United existed/exists at the same time - and clubs like Chelsea or City...I don't know. Sure it isn't that much or a big deal. But it isn't as bad as people want it to be.

They haven't won a single trophy since 2005. That speaks for itself.

And they've gained more than 75 points once since 2005, also they've not finished in the top 2 in that period. If we're happy with finishing 3rd and winning nothing, then bring it on I suppose.

I don't get the narrowness? Does emulating a system mean getting the exact same results? The Arsenal example is just an example for Christ sake, you take the positive sides and try minimizing the negative ones.

Well, we cant afford better players I guess ... Or its a matter of Galliani's team being magnificent in scrapping out the talented players from the hundreds under their radar. Like ESE, as you stated.



I know, but it just goes to show how shallow things seem when you don't take in the full picture doesn't it?

No you're right. They play in the EPL and more specifically London where money is easy to come by. So we won't be able to get their (not very great) results.