Losing Kaka might not be disaster for Milan
Reuters - Wednesday 14 January 2009, 14:01
MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO, Italy - Any club
would hate to lose a player with Kaka's mesmerising skills, but
if AC Milan do ever decide to cash in on the Brazilian it could
be a great opportunity to revamp their squad.
Milan have confirmed that chief executive Adriano Galliani
met Manchester City officials to talk about Kaka "out of
courtesy".
Media reports have speculated City, the richest club in the
world, bid 100 million euros ($132.5 million) for the
26-year-old.
Milan have fought off sustained interest from Real Madrid in
the past while reports said Chelsea offered an amount just less
than City last year.
Club president Silvio Berlusconi has added a note of caution
this time, though, saying: "I hope he is not for sale."
A smaller club would bite City's hands off if such a sum was
offered but Milan would not be forced to sell simply for
financial reasons.
That said, the Rossoneri need reinforcements in defence
after only finishing fifth in Serie A last season and missing
out on a Champions League spot.
They could buy five world class players with 100 million
euros.
The on-loan arrival of David Beckham and the purchase of
Ronaldinho in the close season, from under the noses of City,
show Milan can still attract the best despite recent struggles.
In any case, Milan do have a free, ready made replacement
for Kaka. France's Yoann Gourcuff is on loan at Bordeaux from
the San Siro and has been in sparkling form.
DARTING RUNS
The 22-year-old scored a stupendous goal in the 4-0 win over
Paris Saint Germain at the weekend.
Gourcuff never really got a look in at Milan because of Kaka
but the door remains open for a player who will surely improve.
"He is an excellent player," Galliani said. "There will
definitely be space for him at Milan."
Another reason Milan might be tempted to sell Kaka is the
fact that he has not been as effective this year as last.
He won the Ballon d'Or and FIFA world player in 2007 but
lost both titles to Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.
Injuries dogged Kaka last year and he struggled for
consistency, producing his famed darting runs only now and then.
Judging when players are past their peak is always
difficult, and at 26 he should be reaching his prime, but big
clubs have sold their best players before and prospered.
Manchester United are a good example. Alex Ferguson had no
qualms about selling Jaap Stam, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Beckham.
Kaka has not fallen out with Milan. He has said he is
committed to the club as long as they have the same goals as he
has. It would be a lot easier for Milan to sell if there was
tension with the player.
Perhaps Milan will leave it up to Kaka himself, who would
have to decide whether choosing City, a club in the bottom half
of the Premier League with little history of winning trophies in
England nevermind Europe, would be too much of a big gamble.
Milan, Champions League winners in 2007, have a track record
of success while City are not guaranteed to prosper despite
their vast wealth.