AC Milan fans may already know how the team is going to line up with Paulo Fonseca at the helm thanks to a big hint from Zlatan Ibrahimovic on social media.
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As highlighted by Calciomercato.com, the Swedish executive shared an image of himself sat on the bench at San Siro at the weekend and simply captioned it ‘4-3-3’, which many fans think was a hint to how the team will now play with a new coach.
Stefano Pioli has vacated the role and Fonseca is very close to being announced, with the call expected to come once Milan have completed their friendly in Australia against AS Roma.
Ibrahimovic is now the closest advisor within Milan to owner Gerry Cardinale and he does hold sway over things like the style of football and formation that a new coach will use.
With so many names being linked with the club, it is easy to see how a 4-3-3 formation will allow Milan to take a step forward in terms of competitiveness and start conceding less goals.
One of the focuses is on a defensive midfielder who can offer the defence some more protection, and that works better in a 4-3-3 than a 4-2-3-1. Youssouf Fofana from Monaco is heavily linked with that role.
A right-back is needed, with Emerson Royal and Tiago Santos linked. At least one new centre-back could arrive, with Lillian Brassier and Maxence Lacroix potential signings, and one of Joshua Zirkzee and Benjamin Sesko is expected to join in attack.