What Mr.X Really Will Be

Ganso is the ideal LCM. I really wouldn't accept any less than Ganso now that there's so much hype around our directors and agents in South America.

Also, I'd be fairly annoyed if he came in January. As Thiago Silva said, now is the time!

Forza Rossoneri wrote:Ganso is the ideal LCM. I really wouldn't accept any less than Ganso now that there's so much hype around our directors and agents in South America.

Also, I'd be fairly annoyed if he came in January. As Thiago Silva said, now is the time!

I think Ganso is a CAM. He got injured playing out of position and is less effective in the LCM role.

I also think of Ganso as a more attacking player, but if we're going to have 3 of Pato/Ibra/Cassano/Robinho/Inzaghi/Paloschi playing at once, I think Ganso should go LCM.

I don't mind playing Boateng as the trquartista, but he has more of an impact in midfield because of his great pace, tackling, positioning and stamina. He doesn't score many goals either. So if I had a choice between Ganso or Boateng in that situation, Ganso goes CAM.

In saying that, I have no problem with something like this, with a 3-man midfield including both Ganso and Boateng:

-------Ibra--------Pato-----
----------Cassano----------
Ganso-V.Bommel-Boateng

I think by playing him as an LCM we are limiting his ability as an attacking player, and I really think he should play behind two strikers regardless. Cassano behind two strikers wouldn't work. He's not fast enough and he's not terribly fit either... he's best as a second striker. The LCM I would really want is Kwadwo Asamoah. He's better in that position and is far more effective.

My formation:

------ ibra - Robinho------------
---------Ganso--------------
---Asamoah-VB-Boateng----

Giancarlo wrote:Alrightie back to Mr X then...

Who thinks it will be a LCM or an CAM? That's the big question... I've heard an LCM referred to more, but my biggest concern is primarily in the attacking midfield position... we don't really have a real CAM... besides the 35 year old Clarence Seedorf and he doesn't play that position well anymore.

With the loss of Pirlo we will undoubtedly secure a LCM in my eyes as I don't envision Emanuelson being given this position, which otherwise lacks depth. Boateng had a tendency to drift out of games when used deeper in midfield and requires a stricter tactical instruction in that sense. Boateng is no genius at CAM however he is a good back-up for the position, winning countless freekicks high up the pitch as well as applying the most defensive pressure in the attacking third, something which would be sufficient if we had someone sufficiently calm and clinical in possession playing from the deep. Seedorf is totally unsuitable for the position, whilst Cassano is our best fit he improves his fitness levels, most importantly losing weight. Robinho is still an option here if we adopt a hard running midfield as well. It would be lovely to cover both, however ideally I would bring in two midfielders, one comfortable as a playmaker either behind the strikers or hard working enough to work to the side of Van Bommel and one great box-to-box who can refine his creativity.

I think I could possibly predict Milan's second move from their first this summer, however I can't tell what our first midfield purchase will be at all.

I'm just wondering, there seems to be no restriction as to what sort of player you are looking for. I'm hearing of players like Witsel (CM) to Pastore (AM) to Bale (LM) to Asamoah (DM) to Astori (CB) and at different levels of the spectrum: from Lamela- a youth playing in Argentina, to Fabregas who's a World Champion. I've seen a lot of talk about who this Mr X will be. My question is, are there any indications as to how much money will be spent on this player, does he play in Italy and what sort of player is he? Imo it seems a bit endless reading about all this without any answers, and does this lack of information bother you, or rather, keep you on your toes with intrigue? Furthermore, will you be happy with just any Mr X, or is there any player you desperately need to turn your game another notch- or to fill a hole perhaps? I mean, you could easily be disappointed because this Mr X could be anyone and Galliani could be just saying this as a tactic to negotiating with other clubs. How much has Galliani himself hyped up this Mr X to be? Is it certain he will be something special? I've never heard a transfer guru say "we will be buying a Mr X" and rather, you assume that players would be bought and sold- so I don't know if this Mr X would be something that special.

P.S. I am a Juventus fan, and I hope that it is a completely irrelevant fact here but it remains to be seen... (and please, I do not want this paragraph to be quoted and I do have the right to post here- if you don't want interference from fans from other clubs then please do join a Milan-specialist forum.)

MacPhisto/MirrorBallMan, since you don't want the paragraph quoted, I'll answer without quoting:

1. There are definite limitations on the type of player we are looking for.

I should mention here that Astori was never considered as Mr. X. The term "Mr. X" refers specifically to a midfielder because it was the main criterion mentioned by Allegri and Galliani.

Regarding the type of midfielder we're looking for, you have to understand that we are trying to replace Pirlo, a player with an almost unique position in the modern game, the deep-lying playmaker. Since it's near impossible to find a player who is a trequartista but doesn't play 3 quarters up the field, the names rumoured are just a reflection of our uncertainty.

Despite our uncertainty, most of us are sure that Galliani is working through some kind of plan and that this Mr. X myth is some kind of clever tactical facade to serve his purposes. We believe that whatever the capabilities of this midfielder, they must be well-rounded. Eg. even if they are a DM, they must have good distribution and be able to go box to box.

Another theory that is popular among those who frequent the Milan forum is a double buy, i.e. a Mr. X (the star player) will be bought with a Mr. Y to complement them and make up for their deficiencies. Eg. If Mr.X is an AM, Mr. Y is likely to be a DM.

Ultimately, are there limitations? Yes, but we're not exactly sure what they are, even though the Milan management seem to know them. Hence, the intrigue.

2. This early in the transfer window, any activity is good news when you're linked to quality players. I think that if the quality of the rumours were to drop, or if this was happening very late in the transfer season, it would become quite annoying. It seems most Milanistas are enjoying the ride for the time being.

3. Ganso is definitely the most popular Mr. X. The one who appears to be involved in an almost prophetic journey to Milan in order to lead us to Champions League glory. Many will be disappointed should Ganso not arrive, especially if another major star doesn't take his place.

4. You ask is Mr. X meant to be special? I'll reply with a question... was Pirlo special? Of course, yes.

Thanks for the interesting questions and I hope you enjoy my part in this now lively and amicable discussion.

Dostoevsky for mod !

Forza Rossoneri wrote:MacPhisto/MirrorBallMan, since you don't want the paragraph quoted, I'll answer without quoting:

1. There are definite limitations on the type of player we are looking for.

I should mention here that Astori was never considered as Mr. X. The term "Mr. X" refers specifically to a midfielder because it was the main criterion mentioned by Allegri and Galliani.

Regarding the type of midfielder we're looking for, you have to understand that we are trying to replace Pirlo, a player with an almost unique position in the modern game, the deep-lying playmaker. Since it's near impossible to find a player who is a trequartista but doesn't play 3 quarters up the field, the names rumoured are just a reflection of our uncertainty.

Despite our uncertainty, most of us are sure that Galliani is working through some kind of plan and that this Mr. X myth is some kind of clever tactical facade to serve his purposes. We believe that whatever the capabilities of this midfielder, they must be well-rounded. Eg. even if they are a DM, they must have good distribution and be able to go box to box.

Another theory that is popular among those who frequent the Milan forum is a double buy, i.e. a Mr. X (the star player) will be bought with a Mr. Y to complement them and make up for their deficiencies. Eg. If Mr.X is an AM, Mr. Y is likely to be a DM.

Ultimately, are there limitations? Yes, but we're not exactly sure what they are, even though the Milan management seem to know them. Hence, the intrigue.

2. This early in the transfer window, any activity is good news when you're linked to quality players. I think that if the quality of the rumours were to drop, or if this was happening very late in the transfer season, it would become quite annoying. It seems most Milanistas are enjoying the ride for the time being.

3. Ganso is definitely the most popular Mr. X. The one who appears to be involved in an almost prophetic journey to Milan in order to lead us to Champions League glory. Many will be disappointed should Ganso not arrive, especially if another major star doesn't take his place.

4. You ask is Mr. X meant to be special? I'll reply with a question... was Pirlo special? Of course, yes.

Thanks for the interesting questions and I hope you enjoy my part in this now lively and amicable discussion.

Really quality post! I don't think anyone could have said it better.

Adriano Galliani isn't about to disclose business dealings, or we could get into some serious bidding war. I bring up the case of Inler. Napoli made a mistake and nearly lost him, but luckily seem poised to sign him. I also really doubt that we are going to be making only one major signing. We are a team that strives to sign top quality players, and I do see that coming.

If you disclose a business dealing publicly in order to please some people, you risk the whole operation. If you get what I mean. There was some indication regardless that Galliani and Braida are in Brazil to discuss business with Santos.

I don't believe we are trying to replace Pirlo at all. Pirlo was a player, who at one point was one of the best midfielders in the world, but has a serious lack of pace and his form was declining. I still love the guy, despite him leaving. However, we need to long beyond simply finding "replacements". We need to evolve. This is why I believe, if we carry out this activity, we will be one of the only teams capable of contending in Europe from the Serie A.

BTW, Kwadwo Asamoah isn't a defensive midfielder. He's more of a left sided central midfielder.

Of course you don't want us to sign someone special. That would lock our dominance on the Serie A even further. But I have a feeling Ganso will be joining Milan. And if that day arrives, I'll be the happiest person on earth.

What makes you think we won't sign a world class player?

I think we will sign Ganso after the Copa Libertadores which ends on June 25th. This guy is seriously something special.

I hope we sign him on June 25th. Because that's my birthday. LOL.

If we sign him, I think we will see the rest of the Serie A tremble with fear.

Giancarlo wrote:I hope we sign him on June 25th. Because that's my birthday. LOL.

If we sign him, I think we will see the rest of the Serie A tremble with fear.

And the usual haters with "he is overrated, Henderson is better"

milanista99 wrote:

Giancarlo wrote:I hope we sign him on June 25th. Because that's my birthday. LOL.

If we sign him, I think we will see the rest of the Serie A tremble with fear.

And the usual haters with "he is overrated, Henderson is better"

But you mean the great 40 million pound Andy Carroll... A stupid Steven Seagal style ponytail (come on... even Seagal got rid of his ponytail!)... 2 goals so far... and a terrible aerial sense... doesn't get any worse then Andy Carroll. Not to mention a drunk... who once injured himself doing I think a dozen or two jagerbombs.

Anyways... I think we can get Ganso for less than 30 million Euros... pressure is needed.

Thanks TertaHydroC 10

I agree with Giancarlo for the most part, but not this:
"I don't believe we are trying to replace Pirlo at all."
I think you interpreted it as finding a Pirlo clone, I just meant finding a player to fill his position as is suggested here: http://www.rossoneriblog.com/2011/05/21/allegri-we-will-replace-pirlo-with-a-top-class-player/

Loving the image of the other clubs trembling btw, and the haters- so typical hahaha

Yes, while we may get a player to take Pirlo's spot, I truly believe no player is alike. There are very few exactly similar players. One of my favorites is Montolivo, but I don't think we will sign him. In addition, while he plays a similar role as Pirlo... he's a different kind of player. And as far as Aquilani is concerned, he's not a top class player.

Forza Rossoneri wrote:MacPhisto/MirrorBallMan, since you don't want the paragraph quoted, I'll answer without quoting:

1. There are definite limitations on the type of player we are looking for.

I should mention here that Astori was never considered as Mr. X. The term "Mr. X" refers specifically to a midfielder because it was the main criterion mentioned by Allegri and Galliani.

Regarding the type of midfielder we're looking for, you have to understand that we are trying to replace Pirlo, a player with an almost unique position in the modern game, the deep-lying playmaker. Since it's near impossible to find a player who is a trequartista but doesn't play 3 quarters up the field, the names rumoured are just a reflection of our uncertainty.

Despite our uncertainty, most of us are sure that Galliani is working through some kind of plan and that this Mr. X myth is some kind of clever tactical facade to serve his purposes. We believe that whatever the capabilities of this midfielder, they must be well-rounded. Eg. even if they are a DM, they must have good distribution and be able to go box to box.

Another theory that is popular among those who frequent the Milan forum is a double buy, i.e. a Mr. X (the star player) will be bought with a Mr. Y to complement them and make up for their deficiencies. Eg. If Mr.X is an AM, Mr. Y is likely to be a DM.

Ultimately, are there limitations? Yes, but we're not exactly sure what they are, even though the Milan management seem to know them. Hence, the intrigue.

2. This early in the transfer window, any activity is good news when you're linked to quality players. I think that if the quality of the rumours were to drop, or if this was happening very late in the transfer season, it would become quite annoying. It seems most Milanistas are enjoying the ride for the time being.

3. Ganso is definitely the most popular Mr. X. The one who appears to be involved in an almost prophetic journey to Milan in order to lead us to Champions League glory. Many will be disappointed should Ganso not arrive, especially if another major star doesn't take his place.

4. You ask is Mr. X meant to be special? I'll reply with a question... was Pirlo special? Of course, yes.

Thanks for the interesting questions and I hope you enjoy my part in this now lively and amicable discussion.

Lol, you could have quoted what I said. What I meant was: don't quote me on the fact that I'm a Juventus fan etc.

Well you answered a lot of my questions and I duly acknowledge that. So basically, a replacement for Pirlo. This is what I didn't know, but I didn't appreciate that fact because he only played 17 matches in Serie A for you guys and it looked like you didn't need him and felt it apt to replace him with a more defensive player i.e. Van Bommel. I did not know the criteria Galliani stated, and now I do know. But basically, you want a playmaker- the position is regardless as long as he will be able to add spark and creatvity?

I think our primary focus are on an LCM and CAM. Pirlo was playing as a left sided midfielder when he did play, especially after Van Bommel came to Milan. A left sided midfielder seems to be the primary focus of Galliani.

To add to what Giancarlo said, even though Pirlo wasn't that involved in our Serie A campaign, it would be a major mistake not to bring in a player of a similar skill level or a player with the potential to develop those skills. We need to challenge for the Champions League too, our abysmal defeat for Tottenham at home was the lowest point of the season for me and I'm sure that the club will spare no expense in rectifying our reputation as one of Europe's elite clubs.

Thank you Dostoevsky, Giancarlo, macphisto and our new but knowledgeable poster; Forza Rossoneri for saving my thread from the annoying grasp of Sciacca and Crointer. I truly appreciate such insightful input.


Here is the thing guys, Allegri and Galliani have said they want to replace Pirlo, but the gatherings of the recent reports say the only need an LCM; which as I have mentioned is a Mezzalla AKA a Box-to-Box Midfielder. Now the dilemma I face is that whether Mr.X is the tactical inclusion of the LCM, or a proper out and out star player that we speculate is Lamela, Ganso, Fabregas and Schwieni.

What most people say Galliani and Max are mentioning the LCM many times mostly to divert the Milanisti attention from the Mr.X. It is true they are looking for an LCM but it could just be we may buy 2 signings in the form of an LCM and Mr.X.

the LCM will and has to be a Mezzalla as this is by Max's theory, a missing link in his Milan system and formation as in some points, we can agree we need a type of player like that who can defend and attack, but is tactically astute along with having the physical qualities of an athlete. My prediction is Boateng will or should be moved into that position as frankly, despite his performances for us "in the hole", I do not feel he possesses the ingenuity, creativity, cool head and vision to be our trequarista or CAM.

I will leave aside the speculation on the Mezzalla from guys like Asamoah, Lazzari or even Bale (who strangely is 183cm and has blue eyes, robust figure and the qualities of a Mezzalla). From what I have seen since I wrote this article, the Mezzalla is part of the tactical inclusion whereas Mr.X will be a bonus star signing from Berlu as a gift to Milan before the FFP.

Who will Mr.X be? It could be Ganso since the EU slot is apparently being added for 2 spaces instead of one which leaves us one more spot. Ganso would be a great signing who can effectively be our creative link we yearn so much as our "in the hole" player. The reason we may not get him is that he seems to be seriously injury prone and has a price tag around the Fabregas scale.

Then there is Fabregas which is unlikely since the barca move seems to be imminent.
Of course then there is Eriksen who is my personal choice to get, but I will go into speculation mode again as Bale, Modric, Schwieni, Witsel are other prospects and its too early to discuss.

I'll come to who I predicted a long time ago which was Erik Lamela who is a gem of a player. He is similar in the mold of Kaka with use of both feet, pace, vision and great passing. His price tag is excellent along with him having 0 records of injuries. Lets not forget his room for potential as he is only 19 compared to Ganso who is only 21.

Frankly, it is too early to speculate but the reports so far state either we simply get a simple LCM and be disappointed by the lack of signings or have a surprise by bringing in the needed LCM and have a Mr.X. Do remember it has been said by Galliani and Max that a player like Pirlo is not needed as we will NOT find a replacement for him considering Max's system needs more physical players in the form or a Mezzalla.
Lets see how it pans out.

BTW: is this the giancarlo everyone has been talking about? A brief history of him anyone?

I think we should really get Nocerino, and I know what you are all saying "biased towards Italians", but the guy is very good. He works hard all game, and has performed great with the national team. He reminds me a lot of Gattuso in his day, but a lot more technical. I'd take Nocerino as RCM, leave Prince at AM then purchase Aquilani for LCM.

I was sort of keen on Nocerino too, but now I think that Asamoah may be more likely to be our Mezzala. I still think that Ganso is our Mr. X, but we'll be waiting until the 25th at the very least before everyone plays their cards.

In my opinion Nocerino >>>>> Asamoah. We cannot pass up on the perfect mixture of Gattuso and Ambrosini.

Milantildeath wrote:I think we should really get Nocerino, and I know what you are all saying "biased towards Italians", but the guy is very good. He works hard all game, and has performed great with the national team. He reminds me a lot of Gattuso in his day, but a lot more technical. I'd take Nocerino as RCM, leave Prince at AM then purchase Aquilani for LCM.

Nocerino? Great mention as I have no idea no why no one has mentioned this underrated player.

You are correct that Nocerino is a more technical version of Gattuso as I'd take him over Flamini as yes Flamini does add more energy too the field, but he is as volatile as nitro with his 2 footed tackles.

The reason it is good to have an italian in the team is purely for communication purposes on and off the field positively.

I know the others don't agree with us, but I would be satisfied with Nocerino as our Mezzalla.

Brigate Rossonere wrote:HahahahahahahahhahahahahahhahaHahahahahahahahhahahahahahhahaHahahahahahahahhahahahahahhaha did you seriously just spend so long on a post when I was joking?

Bro I think your:



is broken.

I don't think it is called slapping when you 'slap' someone by misinterpreting their post and then spend 10 minutes on a post of your own to try and prove a joke wrong...

Failed spin move

Brigate Rossonere wrote:

sciacca wrote:If your refering to me or Crointer as trolls, then go to bed.

Your postcount proves our argument.

Says the guy with shitload of posts in Inter section(more then few troll ones that btw no one took the bite for) and a guy who has 100 posts per day average

CroInter wrote:

Brigate Rossonere wrote:HahahahahahahahhahahahahahhahaHahahahahahahahhahahahahahhahaHahahahahahahahhahahahahahhaha did you seriously just spend so long on a post when I was joking?

Bro I think your:



is broken.

I don't think it is called slapping when you 'slap' someone by misinterpreting their post and then spend 10 minutes on a post of your own to try and prove a joke wrong...

Failed spin move

Brigate Rossonere wrote:

sciacca wrote:If your refering to me or Crointer as trolls, then go to bed.

Your postcount proves our argument.

Says the guy with shitload of posts in Inter section(more then few troll ones that btw no one took the bite for) and a guy who has 100 posts per day average

Bro, fights over. Go back to the inter section.