AC Milan’s Corner: 2010-11 Transfer Round-Up

Every action that AC Milan Football Club undertakes is a class apart from the other clubs in Europe. However, after Kaka’s departure to Madrid, all the Milan Ultras would beg to differ from this. In the previous season, the Rossoneri were virtually invisible in the transfer market, apart from the Ronaldinho signing and some leftovers. Milan was supposedly in debt, and that was the justification for not getting any big players.

Expectations were high in the beginning of the transfer window this summer, when Galliani had announced that Milan’s debt had reduced to €9.8 million.

The transfer window in its initial stages didn’t look too exciting for a Milan fan. Meanwhile, Galliani and Berlusconi were getting hammered by the Tifosi for not showing any interest in the resurrection of the club. It was only during the latter half of August, when a conference by Massimiliano Allegri indicated that Milan will be making some moves sooner than later. That’s when ‘good things in the transfer market’ started, and the rest, as they, is history.

ARRIVALS:

1.  Kevin-Prince Boateng (From Genoa):

This is one move which has ensured that the reputation that Galliani carried for being the right hand of Silvio Berlusconi is never doubted. Genoa had signed Boateng from Portsmouth for approximately €5.5 million after being impressed by his good performance against Tottenham, which took Pompey to the last season’s FA Cup Final. Mr G needs to be admired for understanding how he could lure Genoa for loaning him to Milan in a deal, which gives the Diavolo an option to buy him at the end of the season, and of course gives the Rossoblu a chance to make some more profit. Milan would certainly hope that the German born Ghanaian midfielder does not become the epicenter of controversies, like his “accidental” tackle to Michael Ballack, which jeopardized the German star’s World cup Campaign.

2.  Zlatan Ibrahimovic (From Barcelona):

All the rumours surrounding the lanky Swede’s move to the seven time European Champions were aggravated, when Galliani was in Barcelona to negotiate for the 192cm tall Ex- Inter forward on the eve of  Joan Gamper Trophy, held on the 25^th August at the Camp Nou. Barcelona, in a move only they could afford after building up a world class outfit, signed on an one year loan deal, giving Milan an option to buy Ibrahimovic in the next summer for a proposed €24 million. Even here, Galliani needs some praise for his ability to negotiate.  The Swede was transferred to the Catalan club from the Nerazzuri in a swap deal that saw Inter acquire the services of Samuel Eto’o and an additional €46 million; the deal was estimated to be around €66 million. It was quite evident from the troubled relationship between Pep Guardiola and Ibrahimovic, that the Swede would be regarded as “surplus” in true Barca fashion. This was the best opportunity to strike a budget deal, which also saw a significant wage cut for the tall Swede. Ibrahimovic is expected to benefit from the top notch precision lobs and inexplicable crosses from the majestic #21 Andrea Pirlo, who seems to be back at his best considering his recent performance against the hapless Lecce. There is one thing that Milan need not worry about- “scoring goals”.

3.  Robinho (From Manchester City):

While the world was going crazy with Ibracadabra finding all the headlines, Berlusconi and Galliani were working on a backup plan, just in case there was no deal with Barcelona. There was this bad boy, who was potentially presenting himself capable of playing for four different clubs in two seasons. Robinho had to be released by Manchester City and money was never an issue with the sheikhs anyways, so Berlusconi had to throw his final dice with Galliani on the transfer deadline. Robinho signed the paperwork for a speculated fee of €18 million, which is a bargain for someone of his calibre, considering City had spent more than twice to get him from Spain. Berlusconi termed it as a gift to Milan. Since that day, the Ultras are rejoicing. With Pato on the right, he can add the much needed speed and “chemistry” from the left. It remains to be seen how Allegri uses this option of Robinho on the left wing. Hopefully, the manager and the player will have the mutual respect intact, otherwise having so many attacking options could soon become the biggest problem for Milan.

DEPARTURES:

1. Kakha Kaladze (To Genoa):

The Georgian Captain ended his last few years of misery at AC Milan by making a move to Genoa. He had made just 26 appearances for Milan in the previous two seasons. Apart from being injured through most of the season, his defensive sense had taken a beating, which was amplified in the way Ibra and co. defeated the Rossoneri in the all important Derby della Madonnina in 2008-09. Even his guest appearances were costing Milan a lot, and this is a move that would not hurt anyone but possibly Genoa. He joined the Rossoblu for an undisclosed fee in a bid to get first team action. Definitely a good reason for Milan fans to party harder.

2. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (To Schalke)

Supposedly a “Klass” signing, who was being looked at as the one who could end Milan’s goal drought, Hunter came, sat on the bench, and went without anyone even noticing him. He fulfilled the backup role during his tenure with Milan. he could have been used as a target man but he was another one of the many “would be superstars” that didn’t get enough first team action. He has been offloaded to the German club for an undisclosed fee.

OUT ON LOAN:

1. Marco Borriello (To AS Roma):

With the arrival of Ibrahimovic and Robinho it was quite evident that the list of casualties will increase as Milan was looking to offload on a large scale. Borriello was deemed as a surplus and when the deal with Juventus broke down he finally signed with Roma who have been given an option to buy him for €10 million by next summer.

2. Dominic Adiyiah (To Reggina):

This talented Ghanaian striker never put his foot on the field with a Milan jersey. This can be called as another mismanaged youngster but at the end of the day he also turned out be another brick in the wall. In his starting days at the San Siro, he was called up for International duty for the African Nations Cup but he returned, he never got the chance to prove himself in front of Leonardo.

THT VERDICT:

Apart from the fans, Milan has undoubtedly exceeded “their” expectations. In a time when Clubs spend like “oil tycoons” in a bid to develop a team consisting of world beaters, the Rossoneri have managed to sign good players at the right time with a good bargain. The team balance has been maintained with a mix of creativity, experience, brilliance and speed. There’s little doubt that Milan can be called serious contenders for the Serie A and the Champions League with the second best attack line in Europe (read Barcelona). Having said that, three options for two is not always a luxury to enjoy especially if all the options are established super stars. Milan has been lately accused of being a mismanaged club and creating a mutual respect and understanding will be of utmost importance for the new big boss Allegri.