Journalist Franco Ordine believes it did not make sense for AC Milan to commit to an operation like the Nicolo Zaniolo one given the fact most of the season’s objectives are already unattainable.
Milan were heavily linked with a move for Zaniolo towards the end of last month as the management explored the possibility of seizing one of the famous ‘opportunities’ they have talked about given the winger’s desire to leave Roma and start a new challenge elsewhere.
However, the Rossoneri were not able to strike a deal with the Giallorossi who then seemed destined to head to the Premier League or even to RB Leipzig, but he ended up remaining in the capital which in itself has caused a new saga.
Ordine has written a column for MilanNews in which he offered a reflection on the January window and in particular the pursuit of a new right winger.
“In the fan chats, the debate on AC Milan’s market management was very interesting. Zaniolo had divided the fans: the economic conditions requested by Roma were unsustainable for anyone, even for the old Berlusconi’s Milan,” he began.
“Let’s not forget that the famous January 2011 transfer market (Allegri’s Scudetto) was made with a couple of ‘free transfers’, Cassano and Van Bommel. Surely the young man, who is a hothead, would have guaranteed a performance higher than the modest one of Messias.
“Ziyech, who was also liked by some members of the ownership, did not have the characteristics required: 6 years older than Zaniolo and a salary that is impossible to match (6.2 million euros net).
“The conclusion then is the following: with the Scudetto now gone, together with the Coppa Italia, and only a place in the Champions League places to try to reach, spending the money for Zaniolo would have been a gamble.”
AS long as it’s free and cheap why not.
Every player is a gamble. Cdk is a gamble.. literally every transfer is a gamble and at best an educated guess. This journalist has no logic.
Yup, investing 35 mil (or almost of our transfer budget) on a young player who spent all his previous career in the Belgium league pretty seemed like a gamble.
“Every player is a gamble.”
True. Too many changing parameters in every transfer. The best of the best are the most likely to succeed though. No Ziyech, Zaniolo or even Zorro himself would have been a guarantee. More likely a guaranteed flop and a success and I’m glad we dodged the Zaniolo bullet here.
*More likely a guaranteed flop THAN a success
Imagine if we bought enzo and khvicha at the beginning, it will be ended like benfica
We aren’t Benfica.. Enzo and Khvicha would’ve stayed in Milan, for years to come!
Not quite. Benfica got good money for Enzo. We would have let him leave for free. 😀
I don’t think so.. It would’ve been foolish!
In time, big spending clubs will realise that their ego to win prestigious trophies don’t come to fruition will find it hard to attract bigger funds from owners and sponsorships. No one like investing money for no gain. Wonder what will happen when all the billionaires slows the funding to clubs. Huge funding cannot keep going higher forever. The money some players are being paid is ridiculous and no business can last in this manner. Being proactive to ensure continuity like AC Milan is trying to achieve is the way to go.