How highly do you rate Riccardo Montolivo?

Just wanted to know what you guys thought of him. For me maybe between top 30-40 maybe even 50

Top 30-40 in the world or midfielder?

He's a good solid player. He's having a great season for Milan. To suggest he's "world class" or "borderline world class" would be Serie A fans overhyping their players.

Well he did outshine Pirlo against Juve and he did have a sensational game against Barcelona, shame he doesn't have a partner in midfield that is able to let him strut his stuff

Not saying he is world class, just that under different circumstances that idea might not be entirely out of thought

Supremely inconsistent, although he's been better his year. He's basically Pastore.

first time i was impressed with him when i saw him playing against germnay in the last euro cup...
dont watch much of SERIE A games except some big ones, but i hav to agree he certainly misses the right circumstances to flourish to his potential

sportsczy wrote:Supremely inconsistent, although he's been better his year. He's basically Pastore.

I have to disagree, He's been very consistent this season, and there is no way he is like Pastore.

I think he is a top 15-20 CM.

He's not world class, but just a very good player imo.

Pastore

Without Montolivo there would be ZERO talk of us qualifying for CL next season. He has been a crucial signing and there was little doubt he would improve our team. Consistent for Viola for years, and now for us.

Yep pretty much agree with most of you, his only problem is consistency. Although he has been a bit consistent for us this year, not to mention we look absolutely toothless without him.

a good player nothing more. I never rated him to highly dunno why and I saw him as just a good sub in Juve even before signing for Milan.

I think he is not worthy of Milan as a club the Milan we know that can be sorry guys :/

He is one of the world's greatest.He has that special something.

vladdy wrote:He is one of the world's greatest.He has that special something.

Don't even dare to compare him to the level of the great Livaja and the god Rochi !

bow to them

DeviAngel wrote:a good player nothing more. I never rated him to highly dunno why and I saw him as just a good sub in Juve even before signing for Milan.

I think he is not worthy of Milan as a club the Milan we know that can be sorry guys :/

With his amazing performances and the level of consistency he's maintained for us, the fans have already fallen in love with him. Hell, they gave him the captain's armband when we face Juve, and responded with a commanding display. Look i know he is no Pirlo, but saying he isn't worthy of the Milan shirt is kinda astounding, he has been playing the best football of his life. If anything he has earned his right to wear a Milan shirt

El Shaarawy wrote:

DeviAngel wrote:a good player nothing more. I never rated him to highly dunno why and I saw him as just a good sub in Juve even before signing for Milan.

I think he is not worthy of Milan as a club the Milan we know that can be sorry guys :/

With his amazing performances and the level of consistency he's maintained for us, the fans have already fallen in love with him. Hell, they gave him the captain's armband when we face Juve, and responded with a commanding display. Look i know he is no Pirlo, but saying he isn't worthy of the Milan shirt is kinda astounding, he has been playing the best football of his life. If anything he has earned his right to wear a Milan shirt

All I am saying compared to the status of Milan as club he ain't worthy. Milan deserve players like Kaka,Pirlo,Seedorf, Gatusso and so on.. I hope you get my point

People in this thread are basing their opinion on the past, oh how i hate fixed opinions because people's ego is too big.

Players improve you know? he's been on of the most consistent midfielders in Europe this season its just a shame that he's the only midfielder Milan has who can pass the bloody ball.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:People in this thread are basing their opinion on the past, oh how i hate fixed opinions because people's ego is too big.

Players improve you know? he's been on of the most consistent midfielders in Europe this season its just a shame that he's the only midfielder Milan has who can pass the bloody ball.

+1

Montolivo is a beast.

By the way, I like the fact that he is one of the best in the world when it comes about distance shooting.Dat accuracy .

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:People in this thread are basing their opinion on the past, oh how i hate fixed opinions because people's ego is too big.

Players improve you know? he's been on of the most consistent midfielders in Europe this season its just a shame that he's the only midfielder Milan has who can pass the bloody ball.

EXACTLY THIS!

Played some superb long passes vs us. In the first leg, he played a super one to, I think Boateng..I cant remember, but a superb pass.

And I knew straight away who played that pass to Niang over Mascherano.

For sure, his play gave me a greater appriciation for him. I thought he had some trouble with our pressing, but so did everyone for Milan and thats rarely a individual issue.

Wouldn't say one of the best in the world, but he does have a mean shot

He probably must have made a move to a big club sooner than he did.Showing his real quality in Milan.

What i like about him is to go with his passing range and technical ability he works extremely hard and is very good defensively constantly intercepting passes and winning the ball.

Its difficult to find players who can pass like that and defend too.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:What i like about him is to go with his passing range and technical ability he works extremely hard and is very good defensively constantly intercepting passes and winning the ball.

Its difficult to find players who can pass like that and defend too.

Don't you think that his style of play is almost similar to Carrick's?

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:People in this thread are basing their opinion on the past, oh how i hate fixed opinions because people's ego is too big.

Players improve you know? he's been on of the most consistent midfielders in Europe this season its just a shame that he's the only midfielder Milan has who can pass the bloody ball.

A million times this.

He's been exceptional this season, and in almost every game of the season he's been amongst the top three performers for our side, regularly being our man of the match.

Whilst one couldn't call him Serie A's best midfielder by any means, he stands as the most complete midfielder alongside Arturo Vidal. One of Montolivo's greatest virtues is his ability to influence the game at both ends, regularly recovering more balls than any other player in the team either through the tackle or moving up to intercept, whilst he runs in the team from the deep in attack. His positional sense, defensive strength, ability on the ball and vision have meant that he's succeeded for us in a three man midfield at the base or on the right hand channel, as well as in the pivot of a 4-2-3-1.

Vladdy's comparison to Carrick is a good one in terms of their balance as players and their qualities, though they are obviously required to perform slightly different roles based on the needs of their team's style. Both are under appreciated midfielders, and whilst I dislike giving absolute rankings, they are names that would not be out of place in any squad in the world, though there are obviously some midfields in which they would not start.