Comments on: Moving on to Midfielders

By: DARi0

DARi0 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:35:09 +0000

Jimenez loaned out, good. Now sell Vieira and Mancini (got fat). Buy at leaast 2 midfielders like Ederson, Elano, Hamsik or Melo. Even Deco could be a solution… Kerlon will be loaned out.

By: abo nasser

abo nasser — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:17:02 +0000

in : deco .. Ederson ..

out : viera .. jimenez

وبس

By: Johonna

Johonna — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 05:43:55 +0000

No, I see the need for the midfielder thing, I just dont want to have to sacrifice one of my favorites to get one. Why does it always have to be one or the other? Why can it never be both?

I HATE this time of year.

(I think I may be working myself up to a full on hissy fit)

By: Vinod

Vinod — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 04:49:56 +0000

And the creativity problem in midfield will magically solve itself, right?

Also, one minor point: Santon said in one of his recent interviews that he feels he plays better on the right, even though he struggled last season. I’m sure he won’t object to Mourinho playing him on the left though.

By: Johonna

Johonna — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 04:12:45 +0000

buuuutttt

Santon can play on either side and Chivu is fragile. We could ditch Maxwell and keep Maicon. Santon can play on the left with Chivu (we will need more than one wingback, after all), and we will have Maicon and Zanetti for the right.

Problem solved.

By: Vinod

Vinod — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:54:26 +0000

Well, look at it logically. After a decade of bad fullbacks, except for Il Capitano, of course, we now have a great collection of them. Santon, in particular, could be the next big Italian thing (ok, that does sound weird!), but won’t get too much play time with Maicon around. Mourinho’s made it clear that his two preferred choices are Chivu and Maicon, when both are fully fit. Even if Maicon leaves, we’re still left with Santon, Zanetti, Chivu and Maxwell, 4 amazing fullbacks.

So yes, Maicon might be a symbol of the powerful Inter of the last few years, a symbol that karma is on our side as far as fullbacks are concerned (I still shudder when I think of Gresko…), but the fact is, I’m pretty sure we can live on without him. If anything, it’ll be the extra push needed to launch Santon fully.

And in return, we get one of the most technically sound creative midfielders in the game. Sneijder’s ultra-smart, uses both feet well, and has a cracking shot. A set piece expert to boot. And he just turned 25. He can fit in as the trequartista, or even one of the 3 supporting midfielders.

Plus, we also get some petty cash to the tune of 20m euros. So tell me, from what angle does this look like a bad deal?

Also, @b-52, I doubt Real will let go of Ramos. He had his contract issues a couple of seasons ago, but Real have made it clear that he’s their new symbol, after Raul and Casillas. Plus, I’ve heard his preferred position is in the center, though he’s a brilliant fullback when he plays there. I buy Channel4’s theory, that Maicon will play on the wing and Ramos will move to the center.

By: patcook

patcook — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 23:21:35 +0000

Sneijder’s a player you should want on your team Johanna, whether you give up Maicon to get him is another matter I guess.

At least Ibra tells you the truth.

By: Johonna

Johonna — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:03:24 +0000

Someone is going to have to convince me that I should want to give up a player that I know and love for this Sneijder fellow. Maicon is one of us! He has joined that group of players (Julio Cesar, Cambiasso, Zanetti, Cordoba) that makes Inter the Inter I know and love (Cruz was on that list last year, btw).

Sell Ibra.

I know he is great, but he just seems more replaceable to me. Besides, I am getting tired of this “I want to go” every season. So go already!

By: b-52

b-52 — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:43:01 +0000

Quick Q:

If we are selling Douglas Maicon to Real, does that mean Sergio Ramos will be available? This last season he looked below his normal standards, but at the euro’s and during the 07-08 CL he was out of this world. If we can get 30+ for douglas and Sergio Ramos… well, I would say yes. Especially with Santon emerging.

By: Vinod

Vinod — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:53:54 +0000

Actually, if we do get Sneijder + a bucketload of cash for Ibra, I’d think we came off pretty good from the deal.

MAD, about Deco, I think he’s an excellent option for us. You’re right that he probably won’t last long – maybe a couple of years of competitive action at the most, but that’s good enough for us. In fact, that’s perfect when you consider that Coutinho’s going to turn 18 and be eligible to play for us then. He would probably benefit learning from Deco’s experience at the highest level as well.