AC Milan face some tough decisions regarding the futures of Simon Kjaer and Olivier Giroud given their contracts expire at the end of the current season.
Kjaer and Giroud have made almost immeasurable contributions since they arrived at Milan in 2020 and 2021 respectively, however they are both now well into their 30s and thus are approaching the twilight of their careers.
According to Calciomercato.com, the case relating to Kjaer is the ‘most delicate’ for a whole series of reasons, starting with the fact that the Dane would like to renew for at least another two seasons.
The club has a deep gratitude towards the former Sevilla man, while his leadership has also come to the fore at this stage of the season, but the ‘most concrete’ possibility at the moment is him leaving on a free transfer.
Regarding Giroud, parties have not yet started to concretely talk about a renewal despite their common desire to continue together. The 37-year-old still makes a difference even though he is no longer young.
The former Chelsea man has made his priority to stay at Milan, even if the sirens of the MLS are growing louder and Giroud is ‘inclined to end his career in the United States’.
Both of them are still too important to get rid off. Their replacements need to be world-class but with the current moneyball-approach the candidates are all too young and inexperierenced. You cannot replace experience with youth – unless there are other experienced players there already to step up. There are none to replace this duo.
we cannot afford world class. Even more so now that the growth decree has been abolished. World class CBs are in the 50M region + wages equal to Leao. Name a “world class” defender in the 25M? .Let’s be honest, world class players demand world class salaries and as such they go to the EPL and perhaps Madrid, and maybe Bayern. Everyone else looks for potential world class OR Players that didnt work out in the EPL for whatever reason (i.e. joined chelsea) but still can be world class in the right situation
Hence the need to extend their contracts.
So, 2 players who were signed using the “moneyball” approach has to be replaced with 2 world-class players for it to make sense these 2 players not to be renewed 🤔.
One of them being 38 when next season starts and the other one being 35 and can’t stay healthy for more than few weeks means nothing. Let’s keep them until they can’t walk anymore.
Also, Kjaer has been protected by some Milan fans like he is an endangered species. If Calabria or back in the day Romagnoli got beat like a drum as Kjaer did vs Udinese people would still be talking about it and asked for those 2 to never play ever again, but when it comes to Kjaer will turn a blind eye an pretend it never happened even though that happens a lot in 1v1 situations.
Giroud should stay because at least you can count on him to be available.
Kjaer can go because the best ability is availability and he is mostly unavailable. He missed 3 months because of muscle fatigue just this season.
the oldest starting defender bayern has is Kim 27, Striker Kane 30 (Tel18) and midfielder 28, and we are talking about giroud? What age do you live in? Vinicius, Bellingham, Camavinga, Haaland and so on. Yes not affordable for us but a 37age does not bring you closer to any of your goals. Not nice but true
Look at Bayern’s finances. Look at Real’s finances. Look at ManCity’s finances. What kind of utopia world do you live in if you think Milan is anywhere near those clubs financially?
Sure. Go ahead. Replace Giroud with Mbappe or even Harry Kane. So… How do you manage the transfer and the salary?
Our record with Kjaer speaks for itself. He should definitely stay.
Giroud is too reliable to let him go just yet, unless he decides he wants to leave.