IN MAJOR
1. Kaka (Brazil; AC Milan, midfielder, 25 years old)
The Brazilian spends the best season of his career, striking with versatility in the conduct of attacks: sensibly conducts them and scores a lot. Evidence of this is 15 (8 + 7) points in the “goal + pass” system in Serie A. True, Kaka was not so bright in the fall, however, as Milan progressed, it spread its wings and, in addition, became confident with 10 goals the leader of the sniper race in the Champions League. Idyll is violated by annoying rumors about the transition of the Brazilian to Real Madrid. Rumor has it that Kaka himself is not averse to changing the Milanese setting to the royal club, for which he was a fan in childhood.
2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden; Inter, striker, 25 years old)
Having pulled out the Swede from Juventus last summer, the Milan Grand did not fail. Zlatan skillfully blended into the new playing ensemble and more than once played the role of the first violin in it. Such changes in the fate of the striker were obvious. After all, after an excellent debut year in Juve, the second season turned out to be blurry for him there. The sight went astray. Ibrahimovic was criticized for laziness and lost blow. At Inter, he fired a dozen accurate shots, wiped his noses at ill-wishers, and did a great job on the coveted scudetto. However, the barrel of honey grunted. Groin injury required surgical intervention, and the season for Zlatan ended ahead of schedule.
3. Adrian Mutu (Romania; Fiorentina, striker, 28 years old)
Three years later, the Romanian reunited with coach Cesare Prandelli. For the first time, this couple nicely collaborated in Parma model 2002/03. Then Mutu scored 18 goals, made 16 assists and turned out to be the most productive league footballer. Then there was his unsuccessful attempt to gain a foothold in Chelsea, a cocaine scandal, disqualification, expulsion from England and return to Italy, under the wing of Juventus. As if having been born again, Adrian quickly returned to the previous level, and once at the disposal of Prandelli, he did not lag behind the enviable Parma schedule. In 31 matches for Fiorentina 25 (15 + 10) points were scored.
4. Ronaldo (Brazil; AC Milan, striker, 30 years old)
Another momentous come back. After more than four years, the Brazilian returned to the northern capital of Italy - though not at Inter, but at Milan. The phenomenon is well acquainted with the nuances and requirements of the calculo and without any problems it was adapted. Its average utility score is close to an honorary unit: 7 goals and 5 assists in 13 games. “I was received very well. Glad I had a good start. But we must continue in the same vein. The injury occurred at the most inopportune moment, but I expect to recover as soon as possible, ”the Brazilian, who is currently on treatment, does not lose optimism.
5. Hernan Crespo (Argentina; Inter, striker, 31 years old)
Crespo plays well, but not great. There were still times when the striker blocked the line of 20 goals per year. The start of the 2006/2007 campaign was promising: measuring a third of the way, the Argentinean had 7 goals. However, then due to strong competition, he ceased to consistently fall into the composition and, of course, reduced effectiveness. On the other hand, Hernan is extremely valuable: 5 of 11 of his goals were victorious, and another allowed to make a draw. In other words, the forward, who replenished Serie A once again on the eve of the season, was once again convinced that the Apennines were the best option for him. The footballer recently confessed his most cherished desire: that in the Chelsea who own the rights to it, the name of Crespo would be forgotten forever.
IN MINOR
1. Ricardo Oliveira (Brazil; AC Milan, striker, 27 years old)
After Shevchenko’s summer departure, Milan kept an enviable calm for several weeks. But at the end of August, in anticipation of the closing of the transition market, he began a feverish search for a replacement and in a hurry signed the forward Betis. Ricardo Oliveira cost about half the price of Ronaldo, who later arrived. This transfer (about $ 15 million) can be called without hesitation the most stupid investment of the season. At the same time, the Brazilian reassured him with a winning goal in the opening match with Lazio, and then wilted for a long time. The next goal took place on December 23, and another on February 17. And it's all. It turns out that each goal scored cost about 5 million. Luxury, unacceptable even for Milan.
2. Ruben Oliver (Uruguay; Sampdoria, midfielder, 24 years old)
The Genoese club, having parted in the offseason with the Belarusian Vitaly Kutuzov, spent about a month without any foreigners at all. However, on the flag of the subscription campaign of Juventus, Oliver was rented. An interesting coincidence: almost the namesake of the Milan loser - disappointment number two. This extreme midfielder turned out to be very good season 2004/05. Despite the status of the Turin iron bench, the Uruguayan often came on as a substitute and scored goals. Sampa coach Walter Novellino must have counted on his attacking skills. But the hope did not materialize, although at first the recruit was stubbornly given chance after chance. In the end, Novellino disbelieved in him and made Oliver his neighbor on the bench.
3. Stephen Mackinwa (Nigeria; Lazio, striker, 23 years old)
Having parted a year ago with Palermo, the Nigerian, not without reason, counted on progress. After all, Delio Rossi, the head of Lazio, discovered his talent a couple of years ago - both then worked at Atalanta. I remember that Makinwa's debut in the Italian elite in the winter of 2005 made a real sensation: in the first 10 matches, the striker collected a beautiful collection of 10 (6 + 4) points on the “goal + pass” system. And for the entire 2006/07 championship, he scored a modest 6 (3 + 3) points so far. He was unable to impose competition on the sung duo Rocky - Pandev. As a result, Mackinaw appeared only four times in the starting lineup.
4. Vitaliy Kutuzov (Belarus; Parma, forward, 27 years old)
In the 2004/05 championship, the Belarusian was noticeable in Sampdoria, finishing in fifth place. The next season he did not succeed, but this one is completely disastrous. Having moved from Genoa to Parma, Kutuzov registered in the infirmary, and when he is healthy, he does not always go through even “application 18”. Having played in 9 matches, he only once got to the “start”. In winter, Parma intended to give Vitaly a lease, but he didn’t agree to anything and nevertheless stayed in the ranks of Jalloble. But that did not add to his playing practice. Now the striker can only console himself with calls to the national team and friendly matches with amateurs, where he walks in the main scorers.
5. Mario Santana (Argentina; Fiorentina, midfielder, 25 years old)
For the Argentine national team midfielder, 320 minutes in 35 rounds is a discrediting indicator. Of course, there were objective reasons for this (injuries and recovery), but it is obvious that much more was expected from Mario, inviting him in the summer of 2006, in Florence. The midfielder did not nearly reach the level at which he played in Chievo and Palermo.
Denis ORLOV