For years I wanted a Milan calendar for my wall, but could
never find one. Then, last winter, Milan were selling a wall calendar and desk
calendar combo for a very reasonable price, so of course I bought the set right
away. I was thrilled and so proud to show my Milan pride. At least until I realized that
there would be two transfer markets this calendar year. So the team whose
photos are on my calendars is definitely not the same team Milan have now. So
much for my Milan pride. Now when people come over and ask who that is, I have
to tell them he’s an ex-Milan player.
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| January 2014: So right and so wrong, so very long ago |
It started in January. Balotelli was a great choice at the
time, although no longer here, of course. But I almost vomited every time I saw
Matri. So the second his loan to Fiorentina was official, I printed a
Fiorentina jersey out and slapped it on there to remind me that things were
going to get better now. Of course, he popped up again in October on the desk
calendar, when I couldn’t be bothered to put a Genoa jersey on him. Just as
well, since he started actually scoring for Preziosi’s team.
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| The club legend didn't even make it to October |
Besides, on the November wall calendar, there was more pain,
as I have to look all month at Kaka and remember the club legend’s second
underwhelming stint at Milan and the fact that he was in Brazil now, waiting
for his new MLS adventure to begin. Calendars are not supposed to hurt like
this.
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| There was some change in our midfield/forwards/left backs/wherever |
Change can be good, as the July desk calendar would predict
the departure of both Kevin Constant and Urby Emmanuelson. There were other
players in other months who left of course. I mean we brought in ten new
players this summer. More than a third of our squad. That much change in a set
of calendars can be frustrating, but is it good for the squad?
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| Wait, Matri again? Even El Shaarawy couldn't look at him. |
The transfer markets bring change to every team, although not usually as many as Milan have seen this calendar year. There are always positives and negatives to change, and I
know I could have changed the jerseys, thrown darts at, burned or otherwise
destroyed any of the pages on either of my calendars. But they have served as a
poignant reminder all year long of the growing pains Milan has endured in one
single year. Hopefully, someday, I can look back at these calendars and laugh.
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| Two are in Serie B, one is playing for an amateur club. Kinda sums up Milan's transfers of late. |
So as I look ahead to January 2015, I have some options. I
could stare at the pictures of three goalkeepers, none of which are in our
squad anymore, or I could roll the dice and buy the 2015
Milan calendar. How many of the players on the new cover will even be there
at the end of January 2015? Let alone after the summer window? Or maybe they
should just put pictures of the San Siro and Casa Milan. And Galliani. You know
he’s not going anywhere. And while I will obviously still support Milan with my
heart and all of my spare time, would it be better to spend next year looking
at puppies or kittens or something? You know I will probably hand my €14,90 +
shipping over to the club. They’re going to need it to pay for all of those
transfers.
For those of you who
have clicked on this post in error, expecting to see a bunch of oiled up men in
very little clothing, I apologize profusely, especially for the picture of
Kevin Constant. Sorry for any inconvenience, and good luck with the rest of
your search.
This post inspired by the music of
The Cure’s “Boys Don’t Cry”