AC Milan’s defensive woes during the 2023 calendar year have been well documented, but the numbers indicate that a fix as needed as soon as the first month of the new year.
Opta recall that Milan have conceded 64 goals across all competitions in 2023 so far (with a game against Sassuolo to come), which is the most that they have let in since the 1929-30 campaign, 93 years ago.
The list of unavailable players doesn’t help either: Fikayo Tomori is out for two months, Pierre Kalulu and Malick Thiaw for a while longer and Simon Kjaer is not particularly reliable. Marco Pellegrino is inexperienced, as is Jan-Carlo Simic.
Calciomercato.com reports that the return of Matteo Gabbia will be the first reinforcement to try and aid a struggling department. Then, a new signing will be needed to give Stefano Pioli a bit more peace of mind.
Clément Lenglet – the author of an assist in the last match against Manchester United – was explored by Milan but blocked from leaving by Unai Emery and Aston Villa. The same applies to Jakub Kiwior, who Arsenal do not intend to sell in January.
The hot names remain two: Thilo Kehrer, who wants to leave West Ham and has been offered to the Rossoneri, plus Nordi Mukiele at PSG. Both are also capable of playing in different roles and are unhappy with their current situation.
Yesterday’s news from Belgium was Milan’s apparent interest in Koni De Winter, a central defender currently playing for Genoa on loan from Juventus with a €10m option to buy which could be triggered early.
