Brahim Diaz has gone from being AC Milan’s decisive man to a shadow of his former self over the past four months, and Stefano Pioli needs the best version of the playmaker back.
MilanNews reports how Brahim Diaz racked up 3 goals and 1 assist in the first 7 games he played in the current season, but since then the Spaniard has been lost. He tested positive for Covid around mid-October and since returning he has not scored, meaning he is without a goal since September 25.
The Real Madrid loanee is not performing as everyone expected, with few noteworthy plays and poor decision making adding frustration to the team’s attacking manoeuvres. Given that in Stefano Pioli’s 4-2-3-1 the role of the central attacking midfielder is fundamental – because that player acts as the glue between midfield and attack – a change is needed.
He provided an assist against Genoa (1 December) and Salernitana (December 4), but in the last two games against Spezia and Juventus, he didn’t even shoot once. He averaged 2 dribbles per game in January whereas his previous level was higher.
With the derby next up on Saturday 5 January, Milan need the best Diaz as soon as possible to continue dreaming of the Scudetto.
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Yep. If you ask me, this position is currently the most important position to improve. We can’t win the big games without a playmaker who can unlock the defense or provide a scoring threat. I was glad to see Calhanoglu got, but man I wish we had him right now because even his underperformance would be better than Brahim’s. This should be the position focused on this summer, not CB, where Kalulu is doing just fine in support of Kjaer, Tomori, and Romagnoli. Then after AMC we deal with striker.
Calha never performed when it mattered – the big games. He would have been lurking in the shadows against Inter.
Indeed, that’s why I said “his underperformance would be better than Brahim’s”. Meaning that however marginal Calhanoglu was, it was still better than Brahim. Ultimately, I was happy that Calhanoglu left, but his replacement has not been better.
I wish we never had retarded Calhanoglu.
Diaz should get back to Real asap, the AM position is a pain in the ass. We lost Calhan and didnt have a replacement, we need asap a decent AM, or let Rebic play instead of him, I think Rebic will be a better option until we buy someone.
Try Kessie there
If he performs well, try a better offer for him just one last time
No. It’s over. And they have tried him there and he did well. If they’re going to offer Kessie 8m then I’d rather they had given that to Donnarumma and let Kessie go regardless. Kessie is a closed book for me at this point.
I thought they should have payed D-Rumma but in retrospect Maignan has more than filled his shoes, defense has surprised me even with Kjaer out. I would like to see Pioli maybe think outside the box a little since nothing else has worked, I mean why quit when you are losing. I would try Rebic (maybe even Ibra) there as previously mentioned, the thought of players being “pigeon holed” as a RW , RB , or ACM is foolish in the game as it is evolving today. i.e. Theo is a FB, but is playing as a an attacking midfielder for the French Nat’l team and thriving there,with assists and goals. Pioli needs to innovate.