Ruben Amorim’s squad planning for next season is not helped by the potentially long list of exits, according to a report.
Tuttosport reports that Amorim – together with his collaborators, match analysts, and some Milan executives – is analysing the profiles of the players currently under contract before his arrival in Italy in early July.
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There are 30 players, when factoring in those who played under Massimiliano Allegri last season and those who will return from loans or who were acquired in recent months but left out on loan, namely Alphadjo Cissé and Andrej Kostic.
The team will certainly be missing Niclas Füllkrug, who will not be bought from West Ham. Luka Modric remains on stand-by, with his contract expiring on June 30th, and he will evaluate his future after the World Cup.
Big exits expected?
While waiting for the signings that the working group created by Gerry Cardinale will make available to him – following his instructions – Amorim must first decide who he wants to work with at Milanello during the summer.
Some players will not be there on July 12-13, the days of the training camp and the start of the retreat, because they are still busy with the World Cup or on vacation after having participated. Two of them, Mike Maignan and Adrien Rabiot, are two cases that need to be resolved.
Both are wanted by other clubs – Chelsea for the goalkeeper, Napoli for the midfielder – but both are on Amorim’s list of those he wants to keep. This is especially the case for the captain, a key player in the dressing room and ideal on the pitch for his ability with his footwork.
The feeling is that half of the 30 players under contract do not fully fit the plans of the Portuguese coach, who instead seems intent on re-evaluating Ardon Jashari and Christopher Nkunku after difficult first seasons.
Either way, Amorim and co. will need to assemble a strong squad, made up of at least 25 players (three goalkeepers and 22 outfield players) because of the return to European football, even if only the Europa League.
On paper, 10 farewells seem likely: Fikayo Tomori, Filippo Terracciano, David Odogu, Youssouf Fofana, Ismael Bennacer, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Warren Bondo, Pervis Estupinan, Santiago Gimenez and Rafael Leao.
Yunus Musah (due to his versatility) and Samuel Chukwueze could have a chance to convince the new coach. Not all of the youngsters who return will remain, like Francesco Camarda, Christian Comotto and Kevin Zeroli.
Matteo Gabbia, Davide Bartesaghi and third-choice goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani are certainties also for the UEFA squad list regulations. The winter signings Cissé and Kostic must be evaluated, and if Milan Futuro are in Serie C, they could spend the season there. Otherwise, a loan is likely.
ANTONIO SILVA, Hjulmand- Fofana, LWB- Estupinan, KANG-IN LEE, Ramos- Leao, Icardi/Lukaku- Gimenez,
AMC- RLC + Musah, Comotto, Chukwueze, Camarda;
30 or 32? We have 32 players (25 is not enough, btw) if you include Cisse and Kostic and here is how:
Maignan (Torriani, Terracciano)- De Winter (Tomori), Gabbia (Odogu), Pavlovic- Saelemaekers (Athekame, Terracciano), Fofana (Loftus-Cheek, Musah, Bondo), Modric (Ricci, Bennacer, Comotto), Rabiot (Ardon, Zeroli), Estupinan (Bartesaghi)- Pulisic (Chukwueze), Gimenez (Nkunku, Camarda), Leao = 30
“On paper, 10 farewells seem likely: Fikayo Tomori, Filippo Terracciano, David Odogu, Youssouf Fofana, Ismael Bennacer, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Warren Bondo, Pervis Estupinan, Santiago Gimenez and Rafael Leao.”
If we sell both Tomori and Odogu, we shall need three new center-backs so I don’t this happening.
Terracciano, Estupinan, Bennacer, Loftus-Cheek, Leao and Gimenez need to go, I’m afraid Fofana doesn’t fit into Amorim’s plans so I guess he will be on his way out.
You prefer Jashari to Fofana ?
You never know for sure what a player can do with a new coach, but based on the last two years I don’t see Fofana being part of Amorim’s plans.
100 times yes, Fofana is the most useless one
No, he’s not, Fofana is better than Ricci, Ardon and Ruben.
True
Of course not, you asked a legitimate question but it all points and drives me/us to the conclusion that Amorim isn’t a fan of Fofana. Ardon is at AC Milan only a year (they would like to see that investment paying off) and he doesn’t mind being a substitute which can not be said for Fofana because he won’t be satisfied with notably reduced playing time, I’m afraid. Fofana doesn’t track back and we need that kind of a MC especially in a “double-pivot” system…
I wouldn’t sell Tomori, personally.
I keep hearing a lot about Leao maybe staying but I don’t think he fits Amorim at all. Amorims wingers tend more to occupy the half spaces and Leao has showed us he’s not that effective there. I wish him well but the journey is over.
Press turns out to be even more circus than the management.
this 😀
Milan go hard of go home
Osimeh
Pulisic/ Pedro Gonclaves Trincao/Brahim Diaz