There has been so much focus so far this summer on which
players might be coming in at Milan that it seemed an almost unexpected surprise
yesterday that so many contracts were rescinded or expired. A refreshing
surprise, too, as fans realized that some of the players who have been such a
weight and a burden to this team are finally gone. Who knew that we could
strengthen the team so much by losing a few key players? Perhaps fortifying the
team as much as bringing in some quality players might do? So while the mercato
is now officially open and rumors are multiplying exponentially, let’s say
goodbye to the outgoing players and hello to the new players.
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| We've freed the beast |
Out With the Old:
Sulley “The Killer” Muntari
(contract mutually rescinded) Fans will not miss the way he could kill any
play, or any player for that matter. Losing the ball was his specialty, with
losing his temper almost as common. His penchant for red cards, tantrums, and
throwing water bottles will also not be missed. But was
he a man or a monster? One way or the other, perhaps the only thing
that will be missed will be his occasional wondergoals coming out of nowhere.
But don’t worry, Menez has already marked those goals for himself.
Robinho (contract
mutually rescinded) Wait, what? Robinho was still on our roster? Yes, he was,
and we were paying 40% of his wages, too. But no more. He got a bad rap for his
ability to miss goals at point blank range, and the verb “Robinhoed™” will long
be understood by Milan fans, but he also scored some very important goals and
played quite well at the beginning of his Milan career. Unfortunately, his
contract was rescinded about two years too late.
Christian Abbiati
(contract expired) Milan’s last man
standing and longest serving player, beginning his career with the
Rossoneri in 1998 will most likely retire now that his contract is up. He had
the distinction of having the captain’s armband swiped from his rightful arm
and given to Montolivo, and may also hold the distinction of being Milan’s most
injured player over his career. But he was loyal and worked hard, and had some
incredibly beastly games. It’s frightening as hell to think he’ll be gone and
Agazzi will be second in line now. UPDATE: Six hours after posting this, Abbiati was given a one year contract renewal. Congratulations, Abbiati!
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| Heart of gold, foot of lead, feared by Ronaldo |
Daniele Bonera
(contract expired) Everyone’s favorite One Goal Wonder™, so named because he
literally has a singular career goal, has perhaps caused more goals conceded by
Milan than his teammates have scored in recent years. Despite being identified
as Patient Zero™,
he was renewed for his leadership skills, and Bonny, as his teammates affectionately
call him, is perhaps the nicest player ever. Maybe fans will remember him as
Big Game Bonera™, marking players like Messi like fly paper on a fly. But most
fans will probably finally be able to sleep again knowing that he will never be
in the starting lineup again.
Philippe Mexes
(contract expired) aka the
Walking Red Card, wore out his welcome this year with his violent
assault on Mauri when we played Lazio. While known for his temper and no
stranger to the red cards, he also made some incredible stops and saves and
also scored some incredible goals, making fans almost love him again. But for
all of the hate he got for his errors and his hotheadedness, it was he, with
tears in his eyes, who reminded the players to salute the fans at the end of
the last home game of the year.
Giampaolo Pazzini
(contract expired) this exit is hard for me, as he was a personal favorite.
With Inzaghi helping me to fall in love with poachers,
I truly appreciated all that Pazzini did for us. Between the goals he did score
and even the goals he didn’t, no one was more furbo than him. He could draw the defenders and get the calls, and
he always hustled, always worked hard. I’m happy he seems to have a new club on
the horizon and wish him best of luck with the rest of his career.
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| Who was that masked hero? |
Didac Vila
(contract expired) Who? He was the Spanish left back who made one appearance
for Milan in between being injured longterm and forever on loan after that.
Still scratching my head on why we ever signed him, honestly. But grateful that
spot is finally cleared from our roster.
Van Ginkel (loan
expired) The master of the offensive interview, young van Ginkel made a first
impression by telling the media he was glad that there was no buyout clause in
his loan deal with Milan. Eventually, when injuries subsided and he finally got
some playing time, fans seemed to warm up to him. But there has been no news
about Chelsea extending the loan, so at least he is leaving having made a
better impression.
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| Another lifelong Milanista |
In With the New:
Andrea Bertolacci
(contract until 2019) The young midfielder was co-owned by Roma and Genoa, and
Roma bought him out so that they could cash in on Milan’s apparent newfound
fortunes. However, the 24 year-old has been playing at Genoa the past three
years and looks like a pretty solid signing. Did I mention he was young? And
also Italian? Nice work, Galliani. I think Berlusconi has a treat for you now.
Good boy.
Simone Verdi (Milan
Youth player reacquired through co-ownership bid) Always a promising youth
player, he won the Coppa Italia with the Primavera in 2010. We sold half of his
rights to Torino in a co-ownership deal, and he’s most recently been on loan
for the past two years with Empoli. He helped the team gain promotion to Serie
A last year, and played quite well, especially against us in September. Rumor
has it he’s a mean trequartista, too.
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| So thrilled to sign a renewal, it's like he just scored the Derby winner |
Additionally, the contracts of Abate (2019), De Jong
(2018), and Niang (2019) have also
been extended. Keep in mind that any of the players whose contracts expired
could still come back, as there is nothing Galliani likes more than a free
transfer. But if they are gone, I’d personally like to thank them all for their
positive contributions to Milan and wish them well. (I am retaining the right
to let the legends of their negative contributions live on indefinitely.) Out
with the old, in with the new. Things are suddenly looking up for Milan.
This post inspired by the music of The
Sundays’ “Here’s Where the Story Ends”