Massimiliano Allegri’s return to AC Milan marks the beginning of a new era, and his first priority is to fix the defensive department.
Milan’s rearguard has been one of the most fragile among the big teams in Serie A, as the 43 goals conceded in the league last season shows. Only Lazio among the top eight conceded more (49), while the Scudetto winners Napoli conceded 16 less than the Rossoneri.
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As MilanNews writes, there are various mitigating circumstances such as frequent injuries, the lack of a true leader and the low reliability of some reserve options which amplified the difficulties. Thus, a tough task awaits Allegri.
Allegri’s rebuild mission
From his first day of work at Milanello – which he will bring forward to give as much time as possible – the former Juventus coach is expected to work on the solidity of the rearguard. Some old-fashioned coaching will be needed to raise the level of the current options, but there will be incomings too.
Names such as Malick Thiaw, Fikayo Tomori and/or Theo Hernandez have all been strongly linked with exits and would bring in funds for signings. This will allow the Rossoneri coach to ‘build a brand new defence’, made up of players specifically wanted by him.
In terms of centre-backs it seems that Allegri would want a real anchoring presence, a physical but composed defender. The most popular names at the moment are those of Jaka Bijol of Udinese and Mario Gila of Lazio.
However, Allegri has also shown that he can develop young talents too, and that is why Parma’s Giovanni Leoni has ‘bewitched’ the Livorno-born coach, to the point of becoming the first name on the coach’s wish list.
Good idea
they’re going to have to if they’re going to play allegri ball
Been needed honestly. While I woupdnt mind keeping Thiaw for depth though, he’s still decent. Tomori needs to be sold to the highest paying epl club, and Theo actually demanded a pay rise from 4.5mil to 8 after his woeful season, so he’s gone. Get De Cuyper, Leoni, an experienced CB like Kjaer, and a REAL RB
Pavlovic and Gabbia are not starting CBs. Tomori is really bad especially 1 on 1. He should be sold. Would love to see Milan sign Coppola, Jaka Bijol and Giovanni Leoni.
I would be ok with Milan selling Pavlovic too and get these 3 players.
Room temp iq idea
Pavlovic (Allegri Request) and Gabbia (he is the only Italian) gonna stay, thats why there is no rumour about both of them, so we gonna have 2-3 new CBs if we can sold Thiaw and Tomori if not then we maybe only get Leoni
Kalulu amd the Serbian 17th year old were given out instead of building up on them.
We are going to need some leadership back there too, what Kjaer gave that Tomori hasn’t really stepped up to replace. In that crazy young PSG team there’s a reason Marquinhos is essential to them, can’t expect to sign a load of talented kids and have them reliably marshall a top Serie A defence game after game.
Surprised there isn’t more interest in someone like Lindelof at the other end of the scale, I think he’d be a solid shout in Italy, isn’t old at all and look at how much better Man Utd players tend to look once they leave (much like all our ex players!).
Andreas Christensens contract will expire next summer and is still 29 years old maybe Barcelona would be open to a fairly cheap sale after an injury stricken season. If he can stay fit he would fit the mould and could be an asset for years to come.
He get 8m euro nett salary Martin. I doubt he want cut half from his salary for join ACM. Tare target modric for leadership ( source Fabrizio Romano)
i think Thiaw should stay
I do not expect good signings or a team that will fight for scudetto next season. No European football and some stars will leave a couple will stay. They will rebuild the squad again, cut losses and hope for a top 4 finish. Allegri will spend the whole season talking about its a young squad and that we are rebuilding for the future. Sorry guys for my negative view on things but thats how I feel.
Thats not negative. If this happens, that with younger squad we reach top 4, I would be really satisfied. That will be great season
Gabbia needs to be part of it.
He’s the only player at the club now who brings any sort of identity or connection to the club.
And that identity cannot be bought. It has to be lived. Over years.
Milan are one of the few teams in Serie A without a player who has been at the club for 5+ years.
How many Como players have been at their club for 5+ years?
😂 so true MH a total hypocrite.
Bijol is overrated too.
How Abt try Thiaw in a double pivot, didn’t he play there before Milan?
I don’t mind saying goodbye to Theo, Tomori, Pavlovic, Royal, Musah, RLC, Jovic, Morata, Adli, Pobega. Should make a decent hail here, enough to bring in a quality Regista and a quality RB.
Allegri can develop young talents too?
Who?
Only defender worth keeping atm is Gabbia. The rest can be upgraded.
I cannot understand why we keep meddling with the defence. Last year we had Gabbia, Thiaw, Tomori, Simic, Kalulu, Jimenez, Calabria, Theo, and Bartesaghi. A deep solid group but management chose to mess around and make it worse instead of addressing bigger issues in the squad.
Is there room for improvement in the center back department? Yes
Is it a top priority? No
Full-backs, midfielders, and maybe another winger are needed. If Theo leaves, Jimenez and Bartesaghi are the only full-backs in the squad. If Reijnders leaves, our midfield is Fofana, Loftus-Cheek, Musah, and Adli as things stand. On the wings, it’s just Leao, Pulisic, and Chuk. That’s 5-6 players we desperately NEED.
I can understand getting one center back but the focus should be on the rest of the pitch.
Based on the current outgoing rumors with most of our big names leaving, I really think Milan need a reset, similar to what Maldini did in 2019/20. We should focus on buying young players and promoting from within, and setting a 3-year plan. So starting again in a 4-3-2-1 / 4-3-3, these are the squad we should build, IMHO:
GK – Torriani, Sportiello
DC – Gabbia, Pavlovic, COPPOLA, Pellegrino.
DL – MIGUEL GUTIERREZ, Bartesaghi.
DR – Jimenez, ZANOTTI
DMC – RICCI, CAVIGLIA
LMC – IVAN ILIC, Zeroli
RMC – Fofana, Bondo/ Musah/ Pobega
LW – Pulisic, Okafor
RW – Liberali, Saelemaekers
SC – Gimenez, LUCCA, Camarda
Here is the difference. All the guys you are mentioning like Coppola,Leoni etc were unknown but we’re trusted and given the chance, worked hard and excelled. Milan have youths like Bartesaghi, etc when given consistent playing time would develop and excelled like these other players. What’s the use of the Primavera if we can promote and develop players from there. We don’t need to look outside. Camarda, etc can develop into good talents if we have a coach who believes in the young blood frankly.