AC Milan have tried to sign a left-footed attacking midfielder this summer, but the answer may already be at the club.
Throughout the summer, Milan have looked at signing a left-footed attacker. However, they have missed several targets due to the squad constraints they have to deal with. So, Ruben Amorim is now creating a plan.
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Amorim’s alternative
According to this morning’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport, the priority signing of a left-footed winger may not be needed. Instead, this gap can be filled by Adrien Rabiot, as can be seen below.
The Frenchman scored six goals and got four assists last season from a central position, but if he was pushed into an attacking role, that output could certainly increase and this is what Amorim is currently considering.
Under Roberto De Zerbi, the Frenchman was deployed as a No.10 in a 3-4-2-1 system – sounds familiar, huh? – and when he returns to Milanello on Sunday, this same idea could be waiting for him.
Amorim wanted this ‘type’ of player before the mercato deadline, allowing them to bed into the team. However, he is instead being forced to look at alternative solutions, with Rafael Leao not being sold.
He has the intelligence to play the role, as well as the pace and technique, yet he’d also provide a balance of sorts.
Rabiot’s openness to try this will have to be considered, too, considering he has still not solidified his future at the club. However, it is an option on the table right now and if nothing emerges from the mercato summit, it could become a tangible option.
“According to this morning’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport, the priority signing of a left-footed WINGER may not be needed. Instead, this gap can be filled by Adrien Rabiot, as can be seen below.”
Some serious amateurism right there.
Yeah but then who will partner Modric rlc? Fofana migth be sold as there are interest or we give chance to comotto? If rabiot does play as a cam what are we doing with leao bench him for a full season? If we cant sell him we should atleast try looking into a loan deal maybe.
As you people and that board as begun to destroy this club for the love of the fans and supporters , God will begin to destroyed your home and family …. Who does that , how much is Dario osorio….
Jashari is there, and I think they will retain Ricci for squad list.
Yes, but we need at least one PHYSICAL midfielder in the double pivot. If Rabiot is further forward we’ll have 41 year old Modric, the non-physical Jashari and Ricci, plus often injured RLC for the double pivot. It’s risky. If Rabiot is going to play further up, we definitely need a DM like Hojberg.
Ironically, this isn’t too far away from the system that Allegri ideally wanted to play. In fact, from what I’ve seen and read throughout this pre-season, a new DM with a RLC-Rabiot axis behind the striker might give us the beefy midfield Allegri dreamed of. So something like this:
Maignan
Gila-Gabbia-Pavlovic
Saelemaekers-New DM-Modric-Bartesaghi
Rabiot-RLC
Ramos
Of course, I doubt they would leave all three of Leao, Pulisic and Nkunku on the bench, so in reality one of them will start where I’ve currently got RLC, but the above formation is an Allegri wet dream.
We need someone like Hojbjerg either way.
I don’t disagree.
I am glad to hear that.
He played at Marseilles in a more advanced role and he’s able to land a shot pretty well, so no issues here if that’s what we go with.
RLC and Rabiot are starters in AMC positions. Realistically Nkunku is 5th choice.
I must admit that even though I like the signing of both Ramos and Gila, I have rarely been as pessimistic for the upcoming season as now. Maybe a combination of Gardinale still in charge with Ibra (sorry Ibra, I really liked you as a player but this current role is very shady ) loose or Amorim after his Man Utd disaster. In my pessimistic estimate every place above 6th place should be considered a win :Þ . Hope for the best but fully bracing myself to be dissapointed
We still have players good enough to make it comfortable in top 4, like we had in the previous 2 seasons. The questions are: 1) will the coach be flexible enough in case his system doesn’t work out with the squad he has available and optimize the plan to utilize their strenghts; 2) will the players be motivated enough to show their best side and overcome the struggles they will surely have with the n-th complete change in tactics.
this is good news at the least. Lets try Rabiot at AMC. Would bring more balance on the left especially with a average LWB or LB. Barta to me is still off the pace and we need some serious wingbacks. Priority to stablize attack and defence. + 1 cb that can play ball. Gila, Inacio and the rest can rotate Pavlo, Tomori and Gabbia can rotate.
I mean even Modric can play in AMC only if needed. Jashari & Ricci need to step the f up. coz if we had this formation then we are good
GK – Mike
CB – Inacio Gabbia Gila
WB- Salamaekers + X + X
CM – Modric Jashari Ricci (Rabiot)
AMC Puli Nkunku RLC Rabiot (Modric)
CF – Ramos Kostic Camarda
We can aim for Top 4 with this or more. the rest i really dont know.
He wouldn’t be playing on the left i.e. as a left AMC but as a right one.
Rabiot is an anchor in midfield. Without him there everything falls apart. He is stellar in a double pivot with a complimentary piece next to him. Leave him where he is supposed to be.
I had a feeling it would be RLC and Rabiot as part of the AM rotation. RLC is a dud but Rabiot I can’t remember see doing well. I think Jashari has the body to be the box to box next to Modric, Ricci is ok and does position himself well most of the time. I think it’s very realistic to expect a slow start to the campaign.
I can imagine Rabiot doing well*
The idea isn’t “technical genius,” but rather a tactical cover for the management shortcomings in the transfer market. However, Amorim offers a proven tactical solution that ensures solidity and high pressing, giving the attacking line strength in high pressing and defensive transitions, especially if the opposing team is openly attacking (like Chukwueze or Pulisic). He also provides a strategic option for set pieces and physical duels in the final third, in addition to Rabiot excellent ability to make vertical runs (late box runs) off the ball. De Zerbi used Rabiot in a system of intense possession and sharp short passing, while Amorim is required to make quick runs into open spaces, apply direct pressure, and transition quickly.
If Rabiot is moved to AM (which I have absolutely no problem with BUT) we need to get to solid CM/DM to hold the midfield otherwise, it will collapse and Rabiot will be needed in midfield again.
A starting calibre like Palhinha, Kessie, Anguissa and Hojbjerg must be considered.
Palhinha available on loan, Kessie for free.
Getting both of them would be a dream because we could easily pair either one of them in rotation with Jashari or Modric. In my opinion this would be our best solution.
We would just need another striker and another CB to complete the squad if we get both Paulinha and Kessie.
LWB?
Of course we also need wingbacks, not just LWB.
Raum and Tiago Santos, but El Ouahdi is also a very exciting profile.
But my initial comments was specifically on the subject matter: Rabiot as AM.
This was a question for ZionTrain.
Yeah, just saw it correctly.
You are not wrong about the wing-backS part but Rabiot needs to stay put, he mustn’t be moved (position wise) at any cost.
I do share that sentiment too… but I also think Kessie and Palhinha will do the excellently with Rabiot still in the team.
if Rabiot in CAM, his pos will be Fofana,
so far noone interested to buy him, Ricci/ Jash too weak to be there, or worse it’ll be injury-prone RLC
I knew it. RLC or Rabiot will be up front all season. Allegri all over again. I remember always seeing Mount or Bruno up front at United and it was brutal