Merkel???? Also Strasser?!!!

I think Merkel has a very long way to go, and I don't believe he is defensive enough... Van Bommel successor? I still have my hopes on Witsel but those links seem to have died down...

Giancarlo wrote:I think Merkel has a very long way to go, and I don't believe he is defensive enough... Van Bommel successor? I still have my hopes on Witsel but those links seem to have died down...

We can play with three center mids, not just one has to be a defensive mid. Also I think Allegri has that Maestro position in mind for Merkel. He said a while back that he is a natural CAM, but he see's him finding himself in the center of mid.

I'd still prefer Witsel. I Think he's much further advanced as a player...

Giancarlo wrote:I'd still prefer Witsel. I Think he's much further advanced as a player...

Of course he is, I'm not saying right now Merkel is only 19, but say at 21 or 22 he will be more than ready he is already physically strong

It's great that we have them back , so we dont need to pay more for them when they get better

btw I dont think Strasser is Seedorf's heir as somebody mentioned , he looks like a destroyer to me ...

Strasser is a more all rounded player. I used to think he was a Gattuso type of player but it seems he is a good passer and less aggresive.

Agree that competition could get the best out of player, and Merkel won't walk into Novara starting 11 either, plus he will get much more playing time there. I think loan him out would be a better option.

baresi wrote:With the crazy number of matches next season and if we want to be competitive in all comeptitions, with the ages of many of our midfielders (Vanbommel, Gat, Seedorf, Ambro), I think those two will get an OK amount of minutes, and competition usually gets the best out of players.

Well I'd expect the starting Mid to be something like

-------------------------Van Bommel
-----Prince/Flamini/Gattuso-------------Mr. X

-------------------------Prince/Mr. X

and the back up mid to be

-------------------------Ambrosini
--------Flamini/Gattuso---------------------Emmanuelson
--------------------------Seedorf

So I think we should really be covered in the mid department with the arrival of Mr. X because if one of the starting 11 goes down you can immediatley replace them with a quality player coming off the bench. Our back up mid, can compete with most mids in the world right now. As of right now if Merkel and Strasser were to stay, I don't see much room for them.

Lets look at it this way:
Our mids are VanBommel, Ambro, Prince, Flamini, Gatuso, Emma, Seedorf, Mr X.

On a given week where we are suposed to play Saturday, Tuesday, Sunday, Wednesday. And we have only one injury, dont you think Merkel and/or Strasser would be needed. Well this can take a yes or no question. But which do you believe is best for Merkel and Strasser, to train on daily basis with the likes of Seedorf, Ambro, Gattuso, Van Bommel, or with a Serie B team mid?

Now minutes wise playing with a newly promoted team or a Serie B team they is better. But quality wise I would prefer them to stay and learn and make the best of the minutes they get regardless of how few they are.

I think playing time is far more important.

Well Merkel is moving to Genoa on a co-ownership deal. Thoughts?

I'm uncertain about that... if he'll get playing time. WE will have to see. I think it is a good move though for both Milan and Genoa.

Giancarlo wrote:I'm uncertain about that... if he'll get playing time. WE will have to see. I think it is a good move though for both Milan and Genoa.

He will definitely get more playing time in Genoa than he would have ever had in Milan IMO.

Merkel will do good, I was hoping for a lending though

He will do great, and we will get him back.