There
is no doubting that the transfer of Kaka from Sao Paulo to AC Milan in
2003 was one of the best pieces of business in the modern era. By
contrast his transfer to Real Madrid could be considered one of the
flops of the recent transfer market. The Brazilian arrived at Los
Blancos for a fee of €68.5 million, but he was never able to replicate
the incredible form he demonstrated in the red and black. The
competition for places in Madrid’s attack meant that Kaka always found
it difficult to break into the team, and due to injuries he lost the
pace that used to terrorise defences all across Europe. So things didn’t
work out too well in Spain, but a return to Serie A could be just what
is needed to reignite the class that won him a Balon d’Or in 2007.
From the moment he arrived at
San Siro for €8.5 million Kaka was a starter for the Rossoneri. In his
six seasons with the club he played a minimum of 36 appearances in all
competitions each season, with his brilliant passing and eye for goal
there is no questioning why he was such a hit with the fans. He netted
95 times in 270 appearances for Milan – including 46 assists – but his
most impressive season was of course the 2006-07 campaign. In May 2007
Milan beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Champions League final, the Rossoneri
lifted the trophy for the seventh time and it rounded off a wonderful
year for Kaka. His brilliant performances in both the league and Europe –
including 18 goals in 41 appearances – rightfully earned him the World
Player of the Year and Balon d’Or awards, where he beat both Lionel
Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
He was a star in Milan; the
number 22 shirt was occupied by someone who will certainly be viewed as a
legend. On September 2nd it was confirmed that he would return to the
club that made him so famous – this time on a free transfer. The
midfield no longer consists of veterans such as Rino Gattuso, Clarence
Seedorf, Andrea Pirlo or Massimo Ambrosini. When Kaka makes his first
appearance it is likely he’ll be alongside Nigel De Jong, Riccardo
Montolivo and fellow new signing Andrea Poli. Milan are very different
to what they were during his prime; the transitional period appears to
be slowly coming to an end but with Serie A as competitive as it has
been in years it is easy to see why Milan want as many creative players
as possible.
Unlike last season, manager
Masimiliano Allegri is playing with two strikers with an attacking
midfielder sitting behind them. Mario Balotelli will be joined up front
by either youngster Stephan El Shaarawy, new signing Alessandro Matri or
the experienced goal scorer Giampaolo Pazzini. Hopefully Kaka will be
the attacking midfield player, the position in which he excelled in so
much during his first spell at the club. Behind the Brazilian it is
expected that Montolivo will be joined by either Poli or Sulley Muntari
with De Jong being the deep lying midfielder tasked with the defensive
work. Milan have certainly added a lot of depth during the last few
seasons, with the extra attacking threat of Kaka maybe they can mount a
more serious attack on the top two places in Serie A – easier said than
done with the additions Juventus and Napoli have made – but if the
Rossoneri can be more consistent over the course of the season there is
nothing stopping them coming close.
He clearly still has a lot to
offer. The lack of pace is an issue but the quality of his shooting from
the edge of the area is still impeccable, as is his passing. Kaka will
create a lot of chances for those around him and will certainly offer
the side a lot going forward; he could be exactly the player they have
needed in the last couple of seasons and Balotelli will certainly be
happy knowing a player of Kaka’s quality will be just behind him. Many
would say that due to his fairly rapid deterioration since his exit that
this transfer is purely nostalgic, but there would be no surprises if
this free transfer turns out to be one of the best additions to Serie A
this campaign.
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