As Milan look to wrestle back the Serie A title next season, one of the key areas of the team they will be keen to bolster is the centre-back department.
The Rossoneri have conceded more goals than all of their top four rivals during the 2023/24 season, letting in more than a goal per game and will be eager to shore up the backline as soon as possible as they bid to claim a twentieth championship.
This article will explore who could be on the move, which players have been linked with a switch to the San Siro and how the Milan defence could look in the future.
Could Milan be Title Contenders by Improving Defence?
Milan are the second highest scorers in Serie A and so shoring up the backline would certainly see the team pick up even more points and mount a serious title challenge.
For football followers who enjoy placing a wager, the Rossoneri are definitely worth following if they strengthen the team at the back. Those who like to play USA sweepstakes casino can also track Milan’s credentials as this type of gaming isn’t too different from traditional betting in the world of football.
While in a sweepstake casino players use virtual money instead of real currency, placing a wager on Serie A requires the same strategy to weigh up odds and assess chances before making the pick.
Ultimately, it is down to personal preference and whichever method the player feels is more responsible and fun. It’s wise to bear that in mind when next watching Milan in action.
Which Defenders could Leave the San Siro?
Veteran defender Simon Kjaer has made more than 100 appearances for Milan since signing for the club in 2019. The defender has been an influential player at the club having passed on his vast experience to the team’s younger players.
However, at 35, his contract will come to an end in the summer of 2024 and he may opt to look for a fresh challenge in the twilight of his career. The player’s agent confirmed the Dane received January interest from European heavyweights Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain while reports also suggested he could move back to former club Fenerbahce.
Malick Thiaw, meanwhile, is a key player for Milan but could also be on the move with Real Madrid and West Ham both linked with the German defender.
Thiaw started the season until he was sidelined through injury in December and reportedly has no interest in leaving the San Siro anytime soon, however, nothing can be a certainty in football. Should the former Schalke youngster stay and commit though, it will be a boost for Milan.
The Players Linked with Milan
Milan’s scouting guru Geoffrey Moncada and his team are believed to be preparing an investment on a young central defender who can come in and be a bedrock for the future, alongside England’s Fikayo Tomori.
Some links are more concrete than others and Alessandro Buongiorno is a name that circulated firstly in January and then continually in view of the summer. The 24-year-old has made more than 50 appearances for Torino since the start of last season.
Another name that Milan fans should keep an eye on is Giorgio Scalvini, who is on the radar of all top clubs in Italy. The 20-year-old is closing in on 100 games for Atalanta and has been an important player during the club’s rise and time in Europe. As we revealed, talks are on over a possible deal involving a swap.
One reported target that now seems unlikely to arrive, however, is Mario Hermoso because Milan appear to have declared themselves out of the running for the Spaniard.
Legendary Defenders who Appeared for the Rossoneri
When it comes to quality centre-backs, Milan supporters perhaps know better than anyone what to look for. Through the 1980s, 90s and early 2000s, Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini appeared for the club and are considered two of the finest defenders to have ever played the sport.
Alessandro Costacurta also made more than 600 appearances at the back for the Rossoneri between 1987 and 2007 while more recently, Alesssandro Nesta was one of the best centre-backs in the world when he played for Milan between 2002 and 2012. These star names were the bedrock for Milan’s success and esteemed standing across Europe and the world.
If Milan are able to sign a player with half of the qualities of these icons heading into the new campaign, the team will be solid at the back and certainly give the team a realistic chance of returning to annual glories and silverware.
Summing Up
While there are still a few crucial weeks remaining in the current campaign which will determine how the year is viewed overall by Milan fans at the San Siro, the management have no choice but to begin planning for the future already.
Having missed out on the Serie A title, Milan will need to boost the backline, particularly if Simon Kjaer leaves the club when his contract comes to an end in the summer. The team are expected to begin building for the future early this summer as Milan aim to compete with city rivals Inter, Juventus and Roma for the title at the top of the table.
