This January, AC Milan could have their squad shaken up by several exits; however, Massimiliano Allegri has ruled out two departures.
Last year, the winter mercato was rather hectic, and it seems that the same could be the case for this year. Ultimately, Milan need a few players to arrive, and there could be a few cases made for departures.
Of course, it all depends on the wishes of Massimiliano Allegri and the finances that are available to him. However, there is certainly room for improvement within the squad, with the bar being able to be raised.
Midfielders stay
Ultimately, it depends on the aims of the squad, and the willingness to make sacrifices in certain areas. Nevertheless, it seems Allegri is more focused on making additions, as opposed to losing those already available.
Today, he discussed the possibility of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Samuele Ricci leaving, given both have been linked to departures in recent days, as Calciomercato.com relays.
“Ruben is an important player for us, I said it at the beginning and I also said it when he was playing less. In these matches, we will need everyone; we must all have the clear goal of returning to play in the Champions League.”
And Ricci…
“Absolutely, he [Ricci] doesn’t move: a reliable player, a smart guy and above all, he really wants to be at Milan. I’m very happy. When he played, he always did well. I don’t see the possibility that he can leave Milan.”
I don’t see the wisdom of another overhaul mid-season. Makes perfect sense to focus on areas of concern such as a reliable CB as well as a CF. Tempering with other areas will just put us in reset mode when least needed.
I’ll be extremely mad if Ricci leaves us and especially if it’s for an exchange with gatti.
I guess Ricci does have the patience and foresees his time coming when Modric retires, which I think he will do after the WC.
It also took a season for other great mids. Tonali took forever to settle and we even got a discount as he was underperforming. Pirlo needed a position switch as he was terrible at CAM. Gattuso was bad as central DM. I see similarities of Ricci and Tonali how they both started. Ricci is actually showing a bigger potential now but I just can’t see him in middle. He is more floating from one side to another rather than paymaking.
Tonali is and was miles more talented than Ricci. Ricci is okay, but he can’t carry the ball, which is why Fofana is so important. Ricci is a good squad player, but he doesn’t have any quality to suggest he’s going to be more than that.
Gattuso was so bad as a Central Midfielder they gave him the 10 at Rangers, he was so bad he dominated England’s midfield single handedly and finished then off with a 30 yard screamer. You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, Gattuso played as a Mediano/Mezzala for Milan and the Azzurri, even on the right of a midfield 4. Had nothing to do with being bad, Pirlo also wasn’t bad as a 10 or a 9, do you think Inter would’ve bought him from Brescia if he was? And don’t even mention Sandro in the same sentence as them, he’s just a worse Montolivo
A good team needs squad players. Granted these are some very expensive backups they’re as good as one can get tbh.
Exactly.
Good news from allegri. People in the right frame of mind do not sell international players.
Playing lads to their full potential and strenght might do the trick. Ricci was shuffled from regista to mezzala and back again. For now he’s been acting as a wild card for Allegri behind Modrić or Rabiot.
Looking at stats only, he’s played 12 games and has one goal and two assists. Statistically he’s on par with Modrić who has same numbers but played 15 games in total.
Allegri would never let a centre midfielder go. He’d happily let any attacker leave though, no need for them
Milan aren’t selling these guys in January while firmly in the title race.
This is clickbait. Papers will print any rumor to get more eyeballs.