The first day back at Milanello each summer is known as Raduno, or "rally," and is usually charged with excitement. This year is a little different, because of the delay of Milan's mercato and the poor way that the renewal of Maldini and Massara's contracts were handled with the sale of the club in progress. The club has chosen to release the first kit today as well, although a presale has already been underway which has reportedly been very successful. While many of the players who played for their national teams will likely not return just yet, we will get to see others we have been looking forward to seeing suit up for the first time this season as Champions of Italy.
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| The party is over, time to get back to work |
After one of the most heartbreaking injuries in recent memory, Kjaer returns to full training with the squad, having cut his hair and shaved his beard because he is finally able to play again. Welcome back, Viking.
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| Welcome back, Viking |
Last summer, Maldini and Massara invested in a player for the future, Yacine Adli, and then left him on loan at Bordeaux for the year. Today he should be making his debut at Milanello.
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| Bienvenue a Milanello |
Our one new signing that we know of, Divock Origi, signed on a free transfer after his Liverpool contract expired, will arrive on Tuesday.
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| Waiting for you, Champion |
On Friday, it was announced that Florenzi was signed permanently from the club of his heart and origin, Roma, on a deal that will see him at Milan through 2025. Also, another former Roma player, Mirante, extended his contract for another year as well.
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| No one is more excited than Florenzi |
There is nothing official yet about Ibrahimović, although there are plenty of rumors that he will sign a very low wage contract to keep him at the club through his recovery until he can play again. Heal up, we need you, Ibrahimović. Who else will give our Scudetto speech next year?
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| The mind is willing, but the body is in recovery |
Bakayoko's loan was not redeemed, so he should be back at Chelsea rather than at Milanello. Also, the loan of Junior Messias ended on Thursday, and there has been no word as to whether or not his contract will be redeemed, though there had been plenty of rumors that he would stay.
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| You know it's the end of the world when Messias is in limbo |
We know that Kessié and Romagnoli will not be at Milanello, as they played their last match for Milan against Sassuolo and their contracts have both expired. Kessié was the last player purchased during the Yonghong Li period, and Romagnoli was the last player purchased during the Berlusconi period, so their departures mark the end of not one, but two eras at the club.
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| Grazie Capitano e Presidente |
Beginning today, Milan will train with Konami's eFootball logos on their training kits, as per a new sponsorship announced in April. While Maldini and Massara will be scrambling now to make the most of the rest of the transfer window and try to get Pioli his players as soon as possible, the rest of the squad will remain as his core group that have been the heart of the rebirth of this club. This season, they play with the weight of a Scudetto patch on their chests, as Champions of Italy. Arrigo Sacchi said yesterday, "Milan's most dangerous opponent is... Milan."
This post inspired by the music of John Williams' "Call of the Champions"
Reviewed by Elaine
on
11:00 PM
Rating:
