Fabio Capello has urged AC Milan to think twice about parting ways with Fikayo Tomori this summer, while outlining the signings needed to make the squad competitive.
Yesterday, after a summit with Gerry Cardinale, Ruben Amorim named the players who aren’t part of his project. Tomori is one of them and could thus leave the Rossoneri in the coming weeks, with a return to the Premier League appearing likely.
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During the summit, Amorim also requested some signings from the Milan management, seeing as they need to replace the players who will leave. With just two weeks remaining of the mercato, though, this is a tough ask.
Capello’s thoughts
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport this morning, the legendary coach Fabio Capello shared his thoughts on the situation. He warned Milan about selling Tomori, whilst also making it clear that an attacking midfielder is needed even if Rafael Leao stays.
Was it right for Amorim to evaluate the players?
“I think it’s legitimate for a coach to do so, even if the timeframe for buying and selling is very tight right now.”
Tomori, Fofana, the young Odogu, and Nkunku are effectively out of the picture. Where do you want to start?
“With Tomori, because I thought he would be useful to Amorim in some way. Let’s not forget that the Englishman was a starter last season and also played a key role during the years when Milan won the Scudetto and reached the Champions League semi-finals.”
Tomori, however, is not exactly the defender profile that Amorim likes…
“Tomori isn’t the kind of centre-back the Portuguese coach probably prefers, i.e. someone who’s good on the ball in the build-up. However, given the defenders currently in the squad, I would think twice before dumping the Englishman.”
It seems clear that a new centre-back will arrive…
“If he tells me that Milan will sign someone like the Nesta of the old days, then I’ll throw up my hands and gladly accompany Tomori to his next destination. Because I don’t want the idea of playing the ball a lot to make us lose sight of the primary task of a defender, which is – as the word suggests – to defend.”
In what sense?
“Amorim wants to play proactive football and keep the defence high, but there are matches or moments in games where you absolutely have to know how to defend even in the 16-yard box.
“So dribbling is fine, but you need a strong centre-back in his own penalty area. Unless you can count on Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta and other stars like that who do everything well.”
Amorim is thinking of Rabiot as an attacking midfielder, but at that point, why give up on Fofana?
“Good question. I think the coach wants to focus heavily on Jashari, who perhaps suits his style of play. Milan, however, will depend heavily on Modric, who turns 41 in September…”
Is it a risk?
“Well, the Croatian won’t be able to play them all. Behind him, you have Comotto, a very interesting player who should be kept in the squad.
“Then Ricci, a reliable player, and Musah, who perhaps Amorim considers a good fit for his possession game, being good at dribbling. He’s definitely not as good at distributing the ball and reading tactics, though.”
The real surprise name among the “purged” is Nkunku…
“I thought the Frenchman could find his form in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1, but instead, he has been left out of the project. The coach clearly saw something in training that he didn’t like.”
Nkunku out, but Leao is still not sure he will stay…
“We will see. As I have already said, if Leao actually stays, things won’t be easy for him. And to avoid San Siro rumblings, after the comments he made this summer, he won’t just need a good season, but a super one.”
Incoming transfer market: what does AC Milan really need?
“We have talked about defenders, and in my opinion, we don’t just need someone to make up the numbers, but a starter. Gila alone isn’t enough. I also expect a creative player who consistently makes a difference in the attacking midfield, regardless of whether Leao stays or not.
“Even if he stays, he wouldn’t be a guarantee, and he could use some healthy, high-level competition. I don’t think certain attitudes can be corrected, but at least Milan would be covered on those days when Rafa gets off on the wrong foot.”
You didn’t mention the attack, even though Gimenez is also on the verge of leaving…
“The Mexican disappointed and then got injured. He arrived as a sure thing, but he didn’t live up to expectations: I saw that he wasn’t aggressive enough, even in the penalty area. I wouldn’t be upset about his departure.”
Behind Ramos, however, only Camarda would remain…
“So? I see great potential in Camarda, he knows how to move around the box and has quality. It’s right that he’s finally given a chance to emerge. Especially since Allegri also wanted to keep him in the squad last year.
“With young players in Italy, there’s always too much caution; it takes a bit of courage! Also because it’s impossible to know when a player is ready if he’s never tested.”
Ultimately, what convinces you and what doesn’t about this Milan?
“Even a coach considered that is considered defensive, like Allegri, hasn’t solved the Rossoneri’s enormous problem: the defensive struggles once they lose the ball.
“In the first half of the season, it seemed like Max had it figured out, but in the second half, things went back to the way things were before. If Amorim doesn’t find a solution to this, everything will always be very complicated.”
2 wingbacks, CB and 2 CAMs will be needed for sure.
Soule – Nkunku swap is an easy fix
Zalewski can opperate on both sides and is surplus in Sarri’s 4-3-3 formation
the rest of the 3 signings will decide how competitive we will be upcoming season…
…”also played a key role during the years when Milan won the Scudetto and reached the Champions League semi-finals“
Fabio, it’s called THE PAST.
What he means is that you don’t need to sell Tomori if you not gonna buy a high level defender as replacement and he is right
He meant that You don’t have defender’s who did atleast in the Past unless you bring a player who can start straight away which doesn’t seems to be going to happen.
On je beskoristan samo vrača loptu unazad a i to nezna pa onda ISKOLAČI OČI i sljedi desetminutno čuđenje
Ricci (is) a reliable player? Only Camarda would remain, really?
Not a single word about the wing-backs and a box-to-box MC?
“Musah, who perhaps Amorim considers a good fit for his possession game, being good at dribbling. He’s definitely not as good at distributing the ball and reading tactics, though”… Yeah!!! Musah is a dumbest midfielder I ever see in 37 years knowing football!
Because I don’t want the idea of playing the ball a lot to make us lose sight of the primary task of a defender, which is – as the word suggests – to defend.”……….In this case i guess the rule should apply to Attackers as well especially Leao, his primary task is to attack
Leao main task was to score goals and he was criticized only for his workload in attack or track back to his teammates never for his level defending.
Leao is a winger…not a 9, he was only played at 9 because Gimenez Fulkrug etc were useless. Leao is never going to score the same amount as a 9. Expecting him too is mis-Guided. A winger is worth 7-12 per season. That’s good output for a 7 or 11 in Serie A.
Never for his defending? What do you mean? Tracking back is (part of) defending in his case.
Capello absolutely spot on about Ricci. Absof*******lutely! (then again, Ricci haters will never shut their mouths, eh?)! Hmm, I think he knows a thing or two about football, coaching…
The way they are treating Tomori is rather shameful. It is one thing to not rate the player and let them know they will not play, but freezing out a guy who has shown time and again his Milanismo is unbecoming behavior for a great club. These are not the type of players you can continue to treat like this and just throw away like garbage. I’m very disappointed Tomori is being treated in this manner.
Well said.