Normally, after the season ends, I am just covering my head
with a blanket that will not be lifted until September 1st. I call it my “Wake
me when the mercato is over” blanket. But this year I have an unhealthy
interest in the transfer market because of the brain drain of losing so many
senators all at once. Add to that Financial Fair Play and some frightening
realities about the financial state of Milan, and this mercato could play
out worse than a horror movie.
Technically, the transfer window doesn’t officially open
until July 1st, but Milan have already made 3 moves: an inconsistent midfielder
from Fiorentina that they have been stalking since he was 7 years old, a virtually
unknown Mali player from a midtable French team, and a 19 year-old Brazilian
keeper who still doesn’t have his EU passport just yet. Add to that Galliani
trolling for free transfers and actually begging Liverpool to let Aquilani
leave for free… well, it’s looking to be a bumpy ride this summer.
Keep in mind that last year at this time, Galliani was
considered an evil
genius, bringing in loan deals, full ownership of players, and quality
deals from other clubs, too, after back to back brilliant mercati. He followed
up this pre-mercato genius with deals like the last minute purchase of Nocerino,
which turned out to be the deal of the season. That deal alone erased the
memory of the Mr. X joke that fans didn’t necessarily find so funny. So
comparing last year to this year, has he lost his touch or have other clubs
finally caught on to his methods? Or is he perhaps just messing with us while he secretly plans the most amazing mercato ever?
Today I’m asking you, the fans, to rate Milan’s forays
into the transfer market thus far. Please give your grade primarily on the already
reported deals, even if it’s difficult to ignore all of the haunting and also
tantalizing rumors being offered hourly by the media. Also take into
consideration Milan’s transfer practices and policies, as well as their
financial management skills. Select your grade, and then feel free to discuss
in the comments.
Also, if anyone hears of any players over the age of 30, available on a free transfer, and willing to play for less than 5 mil/yr. on a 1 year contract, please call Galliani. He is looking for “steals” like these.
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| "Free transfer? Call me." |
This post inspired by the music of
Adele