Fabio Capello has urged AC Milan not to conduct a summer ‘revolution’ because the base to build from is already strong enough.
Given that Milan are ninth in the table and far away from the Champions League places, there is talk of big changes coming in the next few weeks. It starts with a new sporting director being hired, who will then want to potentially hire a new manager and put his stamp on the squad.
There are also some natural crossroads emerging regarding key members of the squad, such as Mike Maignan and Theo Hernandez whose contracts expire in 2026. So, Milan could be barely recognisable heading into 2025-26, if some of these alterations come to fruition.
Capello has published a column in today’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport in which he speaks about current events at the Rossoneri, urging the ownership to consider that there is already a solid platform.
“The key to the Milan of the future is one: insert two or three high-level players, who really make the difference. There is no need for ‘total revolution’, with eight or ten new additions. But a couple, yes, and wherever they are, it will be fine,” he said.
“Whether it is a great mezzala, or another very strong midfielder, a right-back, a winger who causes havoc. Not gambles, but players who already give ample guarantees. The basis is good, and it also makes you angry: if the Milan seen in the derby was the real one, why did they wait so long to show themselves?
“You might think that they didn’t try hard enough before, that they didn’t want to play as they know how. The results authorise us to think so. There is too much difference between the Milan of the season and the one seen in the second half with Inter: there they showed that they can be a real team, with a quality that they had absolutely never shown until now.
“However, it is early to give clear judgments: in the derby, what counts is the head and pride, situations that go beyond the pitch. In addition, the opponent in the second half was a modest opponent.
“We are waiting for other matches, especially the commitment in the Coppa Italia final. A very difficult commitment: the Bologna seen against Inter left a big impression on me, they are convinced of their value and their way of playing. It will be another test for the future.
“We need to restart with the players we have at home, enhance their value. Personally, I only change if I find a player who is much, much better than the ones I already have. Otherwise, you risk making the biggest mistake: signing players of the same level, who perhaps have problems fitting in. Let’s remember that San Siro is another world.
“This year, at a Milan in general confusion, Reijnders, Pulisic and I also say Fofana have imposed themselves. None of the others have performed as they did two nights ago, but they have. They form a solid base. I followed Reijnders carefully between Milan and Holland.
“You could see that he was a player of another level, for the personality he had. I admit, however, that I didn’t expect the fifteen goals this season: he has a truly marked sense of fitting in. And with Fofana, they form a great pair.
“I found great determination in Pavlovic, and then I ask myself: why did Tomori end up on the sidelines? I’m surprised to see him today that he wasn’t taken into consideration before.
“I saw a Leao who was finally eager: given his physical strength, if he played at 80% of his potential he would be unstoppable and that should be normal for him. Too often, however, he limits himself to 40%.
“Not only that. Maignan has recovered and I like him, it is difficult to find someone better without spending a lot of money. I have no doubts, I would confirm it. Pulisic is another player who has continuity and quality, he can be very good at Milan.
“He is one of those players who start at six and a half and who other times plays at seven or more. I ask myself the usual question: who do I find better than him?
“The issue on Theo is not a technical one. It depends on what he has in his head, if he has to be lazy like this year… The left flank of Milan was one of the team’s strong points, this year it was first for laziness.
“If Theo is eager, where can you find someone with that quality and speed? It depends on him, and only those who live in the dressing room or the club can know, only they can know perfectly what he has inside.
“The other issue is the attack: Gimenez is un-judgeable. The issue of adaptation exists, in Italy you find less space and different markings. But if someone has quality, it shows. The good ones impose themselves anyway: of course in this Milan in difficulty, standing out was not easy.
“For Jovic I repeat the concept: if Real had their eyes on him, the potential was there. It is possible that he fell down due to a lack of confidence. With Inter I liked him, beyond the goals, for how he moved. He knows how to hold and play the ball. I think he finally feels free to express himself as he wants. So I say: let’s wait for him.
“But I also go back to what I said at the beginning: in this period the pace slows down, it’s easier to show off. I’ve always said: in the last 4-5 games don’t go and get the players… The evaluations may not be real.”
What we need first and foremost, we need a proper #6 (preferably two for cover) to hold down the midfield and we need proper playmakers, players who will create and provide service to our tap in ki’lers.
About Gimenez, I said in January I am not fond of him arriving in the middle of the season, especially a messy one like this where you need everyone ready and expect everyone to deliver. He came from a different league, with different language and culture. It was obvious he was going to struggle. He needs a full preseason with this team to get going. As usual I was mocked by fantasy football fans.
They should move on with Gimenez and Jović as our primary strikers as characteristically they are same type of forwards, the fox in the box like forwards.
Revolution is unfortunately inevitable because there’s too much deadwood hanging around.
Ah yes Ted…stating the obvious lol 😂. There’s too much logic in your post therefore it’s more likely they’ll do the opposite 🤣🤣🤣
We’ve had a 6 problem for years now. How professional directors and scouts can’t see this is beyond me. Had we not been cheap and paid Kessie a decent sum for being a top 3 DM at the time, we’d be saving money instead of spending a bunch of 20m here and there and still not replace what he did.
I just do not trust anything this management team does. They’re so poor in decision-making.
Very wise words , and a very legitimate voice, who you can see understands football and the club, not like those pundits and journalists who always speak evil and are hypocritical to the truth, has anyone noticed most of them have not said positive things about the win and the coach.
I have been saying this for months , this team just needs minor additions and everything will work well, the two people who should leave are Florenzi and Chukweze, then confirm the all the loan players except Walker, then we get Belanova for Florenzi, replace Chukweze with Alexis Salemeakers who can play in a variety of roles in any set up we use, permanently promote Coubis and Barthsesaghi, then either we get back Pobega to serve as a winger, he has the energy and the tactical knowledge to play as Theo’s sub, or we get Pelligrini to serve as the sub for Theo, he has the lungs and experience to play either as a left back or left winger.
Then the most important thing is to confirm the Coach, he already knows the problems , and is working on it, if not we end up with a timid provisional Italian Coach who might perform in Italy, but will ultimately fail in Europe because of a lack of bravery or outdated tactics…
You also said Bonera was a better coach than Pioli though …soooo there’s that too
i’ll take boring winning rather than entertaining Milan, entertainment nowdays is about primadonna’s of players/ ex-players & comedians owners so no thanks.. Milan campione..
Entertaining football is not equal to a losing one. Rarely top teams are boring to watch and I’d definitely prefer to spend my free time with something that brings me joy. To each their own I guess :).
Of course some games are meant to be ugly, depending on the opponent style and importance of the match, but I wouldn’t spend 2-4 hours a week expecting an Allegri-Juve style game.
” I’d definitely prefer to spend my free time with something that brings me joy. ”
Well… Watching Milan NOT win matches don’t bring me any joy. No matter how entertaining or thrilling the match is. I only care about getting the 3 points. No matter the opponent.
Two months ago I was in the ‘fire Conceicao and clean house’ but frankly since Conceicao shifted to a 3-4-3….they are a different team. One goal surrendered in 6 quarters.
Maignan, Pulisic, TJ and now Fofana are the engine and foundation driving the bus.
Backline: a 3 back formation has given me confidence. But if we can sign Mosquera, Boscagli or Tah or shedding Tomori and Thiaw, that would be an upgrade.
Midfield: Yes a true #6 to spell TJ and Fofana needed. Theo, despite being invigorated as a wingback, is probably leaving to shore up Milan’s finances. The new setup is giving him an ample stage to attract more suitors.
Front Line: Pulisic is an anchor. Leao is such an enigma. Will he always be an emotional man-child or mature into a stable contributor? My gut says he says.
Striker: keep what we have.
If 3 at the back is going to be a thing for this team, you don’t “shed” CBs, you bring in additional ones to rotate.
For 3 positions, you need 6 CBs to play there.
Thiaw and Tomori can stay, bring in 2 more CBs to complete the backline rotation.
Capello has said it all. We don’t need a total revolution. Just few changes is needed.
Firstly, we need a sporting director that really
understands football and sign the right players to make this team better.
Secondly, we should get rid of some players that don’t add value to this team like Chukwueze, Florenzi, Loftus Cheek, and few others. Return all the loans except Abraham. Sell origi and Bennacer permanently.
Thirdly, give Conceicao a new contract with full support for the right players to fit into his system.
You are right sir.
We now have to sell:
Colombo, Adli, Okafor, Bennacer, Vasquez, Kalulu, Pobega, Alvaro Morata, all for around €75 million.
Add: Transfer budget: 50m?
TOTAL = 125m
Sign:
1. CF – Abraham – 18m
2. RW – Jeremie Frimpong – 50m
3. CM/DM – Morten Hjulmand & Palhinha – 65m
Hjulmand alone is 50M, so it will only be one of them, if any.
Well, with good negotiation, we can get both of them for between 70-75 million.
Can’t imagine omitting the obvious ones for the exit.
Sell also:
Florenzi, Emerson Royal, RLC and Chucky all for around €40 million.
That could help us get a CB.
An athletic Bellanova for around that amount wouldn’t be a bad idea, looks like an upgraded Kalulu.
But we could get a cheaper and solid CB as well as a Theo deputy with that amount.
LOL. NO ONE will pay for Flo & RLC. No one. Emerson will probably get us 1M€ and a lollipop. Chuk might bring us 10M€ if we’re lucky. 🙂
You been smoking lately huh?
Never have, never will. And I’m not on crack either like you seem to be.
I rather choose not to degrade to your level then.
Bozo
“I rather choose not to degrade to your level then.
Bozo”
LOL. Too late as you started all this. First to call names too. Not my style though so you’re safe. 😀
You shouldn’t have commented on my comment if you have no decorum or any atom of respect for people’s opinions.
Gosh.
Disgusting.
This is a forum for discussion. If you are not up to getting feedback or replies for your comments, don’t post online.
Listen buddy, stop getting emotional, read to understand and not to comment.
I never asked you not to reply to my comments, I said… “if you have no decorum or any atom of respect for people’s opinions…”.
We can reply on people’s comment of course, but there ought to be decorum even while in disagreement.
capello is absolutely on point. because if milan go ahead in overhauling the squad we are doing ourselves more harm than go. because already we have perform badly this season under the two hired coaches. i want to see a new and firing milan next season hopefully,