Report: Kaka to Chelsea in record move (Milan: Not so fast my friend)
In one of the more shocking developments of the European summer transfer market, Brazilian superstar Kaka is reportedly ready to move to Chelsea in a record-breaking transfer.
How much money are we talking? Try a $158 MILLION. Yes, say that one in your best Dr. Evil voice. WOW.
Don't go buying the snazzy new Chelsea black uniform with Kaka on it just yet. AC Milan insists Kaka is not for sale. What a surprise. This either means the reports were complete fiction (possible), a planted story by Kaka, who wants to leave (possible) or Milan slowing things down until it can secure a deal with Arsenal for Adebayor so they have something to show irate fans when the deal does go down (very possible).
Does it actually make sense? Perhaps now more than ever. Why? Well AC Milan is having financial trouble, which apparently didn't stop the soon-to-be UEFA Cup participants from buying Ronaldinho for $30 million this past week. Milan is also overloaded with midfielders and could certainly use a striker. Selling Kaka would not only help AC Milan afford a forward (Emmanuel Adebayor anybody?) while also easing some of the financial strife at the club.
For Chelsea, the move is a worthwhile investment because, let's face it, with Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard constantly linked to leaving the club, the Blues don't really have a true poster boy. Yes, John Terry is the captain, but who is close to being a transcendent figure on Chelsea? Man U has Cristiano Ronaldo, Arsenal has Cesc Fabregas, Liverpool has Steven Gerrard and now Fernando Torres. Who is Chelsea's poster boy? Michael "I'm hated everywhere but some parts of Germany" Ballack?
What do you think of Chelsea buying Kaka? Is it too much money for one player? Is Milan crazy for selling its best player and arguably the world's best player? Do you think Ronaldinho's arrival made Kaka ask for one-way ticket out?
Share your thoughts below.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
Have a tip, story idea or suggestion? Send it to:
WOW!
Posted by: Erik Abarca | July 19, 2008 at 09:34 AM
Kaka is obviously brilliant, but is he $158 million brilliant? Only time will tell.
Posted by: William | July 19, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Considering that Abramovich demands that even his close friends and children call him "Dr. Evil," this makes perfect sense.
Abramovich : Dr. Evil :: Kaka : Mr. Bigglesworth (but Abramovich has lots of Mini Mr. Bigglesworths, of course).
Posted by: Modibo | July 19, 2008 at 09:38 AM
In the words of America's favorite robot Wall-E:
"Woah"
Posted by: Christopher | July 19, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Until he gets the studs-to-shin treatment prevalent in England ...
Posted by: KingSnake | July 19, 2008 at 09:43 AM
Totally overrated. Ridiculous sums of money being passed around. How the hell are 99% of clubs supposed to compete for talent at these transfer and salary levels? Let's see which European league institutes a salary cap first.
Posted by: Cosmos Forever | July 19, 2008 at 09:44 AM
Anyone else find the irony in the above post coming from someone with the name "Cosmos Forever"?
Posted by: Ives | July 19, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Whichever one does will immediately start losing players to the ones that don't. Thankfully.
Posted by: KingSnake | July 19, 2008 at 09:50 AM
I choose not worth it.
Posted by: Jacob | July 19, 2008 at 10:05 AM
This move would be retarded. Yes, AC Milan needs the money, but selling one of the best players in the world for a possibly washed-up Ronaldinho is risky.
Posted by: Felix | July 19, 2008 at 10:07 AM
I have to say, it is hard to speculate anything right now.
There is another article that Milan deny any chance of Kaka being sold.
Fergie says Ronaldo is staying, Real says deal will be completed at the end of August.
Man Utd says they will get Berbatov, Levy denies he is for sale.
It's all silly I tell you.
Posted by: paul Lorinczi | July 19, 2008 at 10:31 AM
i think john wolyniec from the red bulls should go to england he is the best player around
Posted by: redbull craziest fan | July 19, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Ives, hilarious comment about Ballack, I actually LOLed!
Posted by: Nick | July 19, 2008 at 10:38 AM
If he does sign already with Lamps, Ballack, Deco, Joe Cole, Makelele and Essien, Chelsea's midfield is pretty stacked.
Posted by: Freddy | July 19, 2008 at 10:44 AM
I've watched a lot of AC Milan's games with Kaka and he is worth it. I hope that people reserve their judgement of Kaka until they have watched more of his great ability.
Kaka is one of the rare players in the world who can take over a game in a moment of brilliance. Moreover, Kaka has the ability to create beautiful chances for his teammates by providing great service.
Posted by: George | July 19, 2008 at 10:49 AM
The money is absurd, my lord. At the very least, I can see Kaka and Kalou forming a nice partnership, provided somebody like Vidic or Nelsen just doesn't crack Kaka in the opening weeks...
***
p.s. re-watched the usa/argentina match yesterday, boy did michael bradley struggle early on, and damn is heath pearce really coming together as a legit player.
Posted by: 4now | July 19, 2008 at 10:58 AM
OT - Aston Villa v Odense in the Intertoto Cup at 12pm edt today on Setanta Broadband.
Also, anyone catch the game from Stade Saputo last night? The stadium and crowd looked good, the play on the field was decent and the surface looked as good as Crew Stadium and Toyota Park.
Posted by: Barry Jive and His Uptown Five | July 19, 2008 at 11:32 AM
WOW. 1. That's a lot of money. 2. Even if it doesn't happen, how did they keep discussions quiet? 3. Kaka--Essien--Ballack--Deco--Cole...not a shabby midfield...personal faves all.
Posted by: Fireball | July 19, 2008 at 11:33 AM
will they conduct practices in portugese speakers at Stamford Bridge?
Scolari
Ferreira
Carvahlo
Alex
Deco
Kaka
Boswinga
Hilario
Belletti
and, Robinho??
Posted by: Cletus | July 19, 2008 at 11:39 AM
I would sell any player, in any sport, for that kind of scratch. Ronaldo, A-Rod, Lebron James, anyone.
Posted by: Caldwell | July 19, 2008 at 11:53 AM
I mean, think of all the guys that fall just outside the, say, top 10 players worldwide that go for like $25 million. You could turn Kaka into SIX world-class players!
Posted by: Caldwell | July 19, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Within 2 years Chelsea should have the whole Brazilian National team playing for them.
Posted by: CD | July 19, 2008 at 12:05 PM
I'd sell my ass for that kind of money ...
Posted by: KingSnake | July 19, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Nobody is worth that amount of money. AC Milan should do that in a heartbeat, that is, if it isnt complete made-up crap.
Posted by: Travis | July 19, 2008 at 12:19 PM
There is no possible way this can be true. Chelski would be stupid to throw that kind of money at one player. Milan would be stupid to sell arguably the world's best player (yes, I'm debating whether I'd rather have Kaka than Ronaldo).
Posted by: Will | July 19, 2008 at 01:11 PM
They are not throwing that money at Kaka, but at his team.
Posted by: KingSnake | July 19, 2008 at 01:16 PM
It makes sense for Inter, since Ronaldinho and Kaka cannot play together (as shown on Brazil NT). Still, it would have made more sense NOT to get Ronaldinho in the first place. Idiots.
Posted by: Igor | July 19, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Igor, I'm sure Inter is all for selling seeing as how Kaka plays for the other Milan team :)
Posted by: JB | July 19, 2008 at 03:54 PM
who hates michael ballack? He's world class...
Posted by: joo | July 19, 2008 at 06:00 PM
You do realize that the quality of the player and the person are two not necessarily coincident things?
Posted by: KingSnake | July 19, 2008 at 07:43 PM
Well, it does make sense for Inter for Milan to sell their best player. But you get my point. I guess after all I'm the idiot.
Posted by: Igor | July 19, 2008 at 10:35 PM
If this does end up being the sum paid I am done with the EPL until they get a salary cap. Ridiculous.
For all the criticisms of the MLS, at least they have rules for keeping the league competitive.
Posted by: HomeyBoehme | July 21, 2008 at 09:05 AM