This weekend’s game is the final chance to see what is needed this summer at AC Milan. However, Massimiliano Allegri has known for a while.
It is nothing new for Milan to be linked with targets in certain areas of the pitch and the reasoning is simple. Ultimately, Allegri has identified weaknesses in his squad for months now and so the list of potential targets has only been refined since.
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Of course, this explains why the names have been largely of the same type, too.
Four names for Allegri
This morning’s edition of Tuttosport (via MilanNews) keeps things brief regarding targets. It would appear that Mario Gila is the number one candidate for the defence and the club are in complete agreement there, hence the extent of the negotiations.
Moving forward, Leon Goretzka remains a heavy target and again, the club largely agrees. Whilst negotiations aren’t as advanced, they have been in the running for almost six months now and Allegri views him as perfect.
Finally, the links to Gabriel Jesus are not shifting. Indeed, the Brazilian striker was crowned a Premier League champion last night but is heading out of the door, it seems. The Rossoneri have been on his track since before the January mercato and it will be revisited again this summer.
However, he is not the only name. Indeed, Calciomercato.com reports that ‘it’s clear’ that his thoughts are with Dusan Vlahovic.
Negotiations are on hold with Juventus and Champions League qualification would allow the Diavolo to ‘calmly’ make an offer this summer. Indeed, the road to Vlahovic could become much shorter this wekeend…
For what it is worth, they are in complete unison with the reporting of the other two targets, stating Allegri is at least ‘crystal clear’ there.
Right now there is 60 million euros of yearly cost of players on Milan sheet thatare not usable anymore:
1. Origi 5 mill – already left
2. and 3. Chukwueze and Musah, 8 million on total for ammortisation, if they are not sold or Loaned again – cost will be more for salaries too.
4. Bondo and Terracciano- 3mil total ammortisation
5. Santi Gimenez 12 million
6. Loftus Cheek 10 million.
7. Bennacer 9 million
8. Odogu 2,7 million
9. Edtupinan 9 million
Total is 60 million. For 60 million in 1 year, they can bring Vlahovic, Gila , Goretzka, Jesus plus 2 more players.
Someone try to explain me how Goretzka and Gabriel Jesus fits in the system and philosophy of Allegri?
I wondered the same thing haha. We have enough support strikers. What we lack, is a physical target man. Gabriel Jesus does not fit that profile at all.
Goretzka does. Gabriel Jesus not really.
They’re making things up. Jesus’ agent tries to link him to big clubs. He’s garbage. A feeble, frail player who gets worse every year. Pinamonti would be a far better fit. Goretzka is athletic, but not especially good. It’s one thing playing in a stat padding league, it’s another playing in a real championship.
They are old and apparently to Allegri that makes them better options. But the second reason is that Goretzka can be a replacement for RLC, which i think is not good enough. I have not heard a thing about Jesus coming. But if he does. It is because he likes to play deep and carry the ball. He is very injury prone.
It’s not about the players acquired, it’s about player management and system, these players will effectively regress with this current Alegri system.
We can evidently see it right now, Rabiot has regressed, same as Pulicis, same as Saelemakers, same as Barterzagi, Leao is a special kinda situation, so the main issue is the system, then we can look at the players. I’m all for the upgrades but it won’t fix the system issues long-term.
Players needs to play defense also.
Not just attack like with era Leao, Hernandez etc….
He is basically asking what he asked last season. Too bad they signed random players and now what he asked for.
“Finally, the links to Gabriel Jesus are not shifting.”
Rubbish. He’s garbage. Not top club would want him.
Goretzka is garbage, I don’t know why anyone wants him. He’s slower than my grandma.
All the wrong signings.
Gila undermines the current defence of Tomori, De Winter, Gabbia and Pavlovic.
It will add to confusion and break up the understanding those four have built up over the season. He’ll by like when Stam broke up Nesta and Maldini.
The best scenario is he’s like those 5th defenders that Juve kept signing when they had BBCC (Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini and Cáceres). The likes of Benatia, Höwedes and, unfortunately of Italy, Rugani.
4 for 3 (with Bartesaghi dropping back) is ideal. Don’t mess with it.
Goretzka is a classic Milan signing – a player with characteristics the club already has that does not address characteristics the club is missing.
Milan need a more effective version of Fofana in midfield not another slow, technical player.
Goretzka would likely further undermine Ricci and Jashari, and may even negatively affect Modric.
Gabriel Jesus probably has the right characteristics but I just don’t think he’ll score the 20+ goals that are needed. Given there’s probably only about 5 players on the planet who could score 20+ goals for Milan that’s not really a criticism.
Vlahovic MIGHT be that player if he had his real breakout season.
Lewandowski remains the safest option.
But for Vlahovic and Lewandowski to work they need pace around them.
If Leao is going then they need to keep Pulisic and Nkunku, and one or both of them need to hit form.
Then there’s Camarda whose career is on knife edge. One more wrong move and he could be finished.
He needs to stay at Milan and be given chances.
The stakes could not be higher.
If they sign too many they’ll destabilise the little stability they’e achieved this season.
If they sign the wrong types they won’t make the leap.
If it doesn’t work out then they’ll have another revolution.
As for me, I’m hanging on by a thread. If Gabbia or Bartesaghi or Allegri go that’ll be the last LAST straw.
4 players for 3 CB spots is ideal? What is the logic behind that kind of thinking, I wonder? The truth (and the only viable outcome and the only favourable scenario, I might add) is we need at least 5 CB plus Bartesaghi.
Gabriel Jesus doesn’t have the right characteristics. He’s short. He’s injury prone. He’s feeble. He’s a bad finisher. He’s a poor man’s Raspadori. Mateta would be perfect.
Thorstvedt would be an upgrade on Fofana.
Bernardo Silva is available and less likely to go to Juve if they miss out on the UCL.
There are plenty of good players out there that could be signed for modest fees. We don’t need a team of star names, we just need a team.
I: Gila, Goretzka, Grimaldo, Goncalo
II: Dodo, Ake, backup striker
III: Tomori & Nkunku replacementS (both optional)
+ Bondo, Zeroli/Comotto, Camarda
OUT: Odogu, Pervis, RLC, Leao, Gimenez, Fullkrug,
*Tomori, *Nkunku
Get over your Dodo fetish. He’s too short. Short players are death in the modern game unless they’re Messi and this guy isn’t Messi.
Roberto Carlos likes this. It doesn’t need to be Dodo, it’s not an exclusive wish, just bring someone better than Alexis and Zachary.
4-2-3-1 starting cf serhou guirassy 2nd string luis suarez (sporting cp) starting cm lewis ferguson 2nd string cm rabiot starting dm angelo stiller 2nd string ricci 5th midfielder modric starting lcb pavlovic 2nd string jhon lucumi starting rcb federico gatti 2nd string gabbia 5th cb berat djimsiti accounting for cost and opportunities so on!
Who is doing the signing? Tare? Furlani? D’Amico? Who is getting Gila for example with Tare leaving?
Circus.
probably furlani, just like last couple of years
There is no way I’m watching an Allegri team with a 101yr old midfield 3 next season. Any team in the UCL will wipe the floor with us.
Pulisic and Leao have no place in Milan if Allegri remains the coach. They are wingers not strikers. He will never shift away from the 352. I would sell them both and get two top quality players up front. Nkunku and Camarda (if were smart and cared about our youth) should be the two guys from the bench.
Camarda even struggled at Lecce (an euphemism, by the way) and yet you see him as a backup striker? It’s probably OK for the boy to be our third (fifth) option but nothing more than that- yet.