AC Milan are a club that generate more media attention than most, and at any one time there are often various burning issues.
The last few weeks and months have been dominated by various stories, such as the hiring of Igli Tare, the return of Massimiliano Allegri, the merits of the summer signings, the refinancing of the vendor loan, Mike Maignan’s renewal and a possible title push (which now looks nearly over).
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There is never a dull day following the Rossoneri, and that is especially true in a season like this where there has been a lot of movement both at corporate level and on the playing side of things. As such, it can be hard to cut through all of the noise, even though we try to do so with our reporting.
To get some detailed and reliable insight on all things at Milan – from Massimiliano Allegri’s impact to the winter business that didn’t happen – we spoke to Sky’s Peppe Di Stefano, who answered our questions.
The big story towards the end of the winter mercato was the collapse of the Jean-Philippe Mateta operation. Can you summarise what happened, to your knowledge?
“The last few days have been peculiar for Mateta, as Milan had decided to lock in the player whose contract expires in 17 months. He was worth around €70m, and AC Milan had the option to sign him for €35m.
“A full agreement was reached with the player, but a partial agreement was reached with Crystal Palace. The English club attempted to sell him so as not to lose him for free in the summer, since his fate was already sealed as there was no option for a renewal with Crystal Palace.
“Everything seemed to be going well, but with two days to go before the transfer window closed, Crystal Palace informed Milan that they had found a replacement, and the exchange of documents began.
“Already at that stage, Milan realised there were doubts about the player’s physical condition, particularly his knee, as confirmed a few weeks earlier by Crystal Palace’s manager.
“Initial medical examinations were unconvincing, and Milan sent their medical director, Stefano Mazzoni, and possibly two other doctors, from Milan to Paris. Ultimately, the medical team’s final opinion was that the boy had a problem with the cartilage in his knee.
“It’s problem that allowed him to play once a week because he had to undergo therapy after each game, but this clearly wasn’t something he could do forever because cartilage wears out over time, and above all, he couldn’t support a Milan side that wants to play in European competitions next year.
“Milan, who already have Gimenez in their squad, who didn’t live up to expectations, didn’t want to miss the arrival of a new striker, so after careful consideration, they decided to abandon the operation, especially since their attacking line-up was already adequate this season.”
Two interesting signings did arrive: Niclas Füllkrug and Alphajdo Cissè. How important could each be for the present and future of Milan?
“Fulkrug will be important for the present, Cisse for the future. The German arrived on advantageous terms, with great spirit and a desire to conquer Milan, and above all – most importantly – he arrived quickly.
“Milan closed the deal on December 20th, and the boy arrived at Milanello shortly after Christmas, making him available immediately. Fullkrug’s move was a very smart one, and Igli Tare was excellent.
“Cisse is a move Milan must make, promising players whom Milan must develop slowly, perhaps by giving him more time at his former club, in this case Catanzaro, and then making him available to Massimiliano Allegri in the summer to determine whether he can be useful immediately or will need another year on loan.
“He’s certainly the best young player we’ve seen in Serie B this year, with great depth, especially in terms of goals. He’s a very physical but attacking player, an atypical winger that I really like.
“I think Milan should make these deals; the old Milan did them. Then it can happen that 1-2 don’t work out and are resold, but it can also happen that just as many play regularly with the first team.”
Milan were linked with several central defenders, but one did not arrive. Who did they try to sign, and why didn’t it happen?
“The January transfer market is dynamic compared to the summer one because, unlike the summer, winter is a time for playing, and when you play, some players get injured, others improve, and others deteriorate.
“There are also players like De Winter who have increased their value in a month; he was a player who almost failed at the end of December after the Super Cup semifinal against Napoli, and in two or three weeks he took over Milan with excellent performances.
“If Allegri previously had three good defenders (Tomori, Gabbia, and Pavlovic), starting in January, his number of reliable defenders becomes four. So the idea was to sign a defender, yes, but one who would improve the squad immediately and who didn’t need time.
“The opportunity didn’t materialise on the market, and so Milan decided not to proceed. This is a decision I agree with.”
The most important operation in January was Mike Maignan’s renewal. How did we go from a great frost to the signature? How important were Allegri, Filippi and the directors in changing his mind?
“Maignan is Milan’s signing of the year. I, and many others, didn’t believe in his renewal. Perhaps not even Maignan believed it. A year ago, the parties had reached an agreement with the player, who had asked for a fee, which Milan had accepted.
“Then Maignan had a few poor moments, and Milan took a step back, which is not a common practice in football. The player was so upset that we were all convinced he wouldn’t extend his contract and would leave in the summer.
“Allegri had been told not to consider Maignan with the new Milan. Max saw that negotiations with Chelsea were stalling, so he called Maignan and said, ‘Why don’t you stay at Milan? You can do another year. I need you. You’re the captain of this team, and at the end of the season you’ll decide whether to extend or go elsewhere’.
“It was a brilliant strategy on Massimiliano Allegri’s part, which immediately made the player feel important. There were no negotiations in the first months of the season, just the pitch, with Allegri putting a smile back on his face, along with his staff.
“The results and the fans helped, and Milan felt almost guilty or indebted for not trying to extend Maignan’s contract. So, after speaking with his agent, they realised there was availability, especially from the player, and they reached the same figure, which is essentially the same as a year ago.
“If Milan had accepted a year ago, they probably would have saved a little. As Galliani and Berlusconi said, renewals should be made at the most crucial times for the players because, in addition to instilling confidence, they also allow the club to save that half a million that makes all the difference.
“For me, this was a smart and convincing move that reminded me of the moves of the old, great Milan, the one that never questioned its champions.”
Speaking of Allegri, he seems to have restored calm and positivity at Milanello. How big has his impact been?
“Allegri did what he knows how to do: restore normalcy to an environment that needed it. Since July 7th, Allegri has returned home, reassured by the players and the Milanello community.
“If you make the 70 people who work in that facility feel good, you make everyone feel good, because it’s a logical consequence. Milan needed leadership, and Allegri is the right person, from the big to the small.
“The certainties of days off and training schedules set week by week, through the return to training camps at Milanello, through the large 23-seat table where everyone can look at each other and talk in the fireplace room.
“All these rules have given Milan that sense of normality that had been missing. He hasn’t done anything incredible, but he has brought back normality.”
If Champions League football is secured, should we expect a more expansive and ambitious summer? If yes, which areas do you think Igli Tare and co. Will strengthen?
“If Milan qualify for the Champions League, they must improve their squad, first and foremost numerically. Next year, they’ll need at least 26-27 players, and you need higher-calibre alternatives.
“This year’s reserves have grown over time, like Jashari, Ricci, Bartesaghi, who has become a regular starter, and even De Winter himself. However, I believe that next year, Milan will need international talent like the Modrics, Rabiots, and Maignans.
“Milan would need a defender, like Akanji, and a midfielder like Goretzka, another player Allegri wanted. A revolution in attack wouldn’t surprise me, especially since I see difficulties renewing some contracts, like Pulisic’s, for example.
“I don’t see Leao’s permanence as a certainty, as he remains the team’s strongest player, but for Allegri – also due to his numerous injuries – he’s no longer the untouchable he was in previous seasons. Offers will be evaluated.”
In your opinion, is the news of the refinancing (Elliott out, Manulife-Comvest in) something Milanisti should deem as important?
“I don’t know if AC Milan fans will find it interesting or not, but I hope to see Cardinale’s true Milan sooner or later, something I think we’ve never seen before.
“Because Milan, in one way or another, has always been tied to the Elliott fund, not just because of Giorgio Furlani’s presence, but in general, the fact that Cardinale bought from Elliott using a loan agreement with Elliott itself has always placed Elliott at the center of the dynamics and direction of decisions.
“From now on, that won’t be the case; Cardinale’s presence in the Lega Calcio leads me to believe he’s finally designing his own AC Milan. The important thing is not to focus solely on the show; AC Milan, like all the big clubs, must focus on football.
“The fans, who are a club’s main customers, enjoy it when the team wins, and everything else follows. Football is the only thing that draws people in, but I think Gerry Cardinale has realised this in these years of apprenticeship. You can think of all the shows you want, but if the ball doesn’t go in the goal at the end, people aren’t happy.”
On the field, who have you been surprised by, and who did you expect more from?
“On the pitch, Modric and Rabiot surprised me. The Croatian is an incredible player despite his 40 years, I don’t have to be the one to say who Luka Modric is. Rabiot has always been strong, but today he’s a man.
“He was a kid playing for a great Juventus, then he was a bigger player for a less strong Juventus, but Marseille took him out of his comfort zone, and Milan and the most important coach of his career (Max Allegri) put him back in the center of his role.
“He’s an incredible player, probably one of the two best midfielders in all of Serie A. He has pace, leadership talent, and goals. The only flaw was perhaps the sending off in Pisa, where he should have been more careful. However, you can afford to let him slip up in a practically perfect season.
“I’d like to add another player who surprised me: Davide Bartesaghi, whom I considered a youngster who joined the first team and who has become a regular starter for Milan and a sure thing for the club’s present and future.
“He’s a player who handles pressure well, doesn’t get emotional, has good feet, and isn’t Theo Hernandez – you shouldn’t look for Theo in other wing-backs – but he’s a valuable player, physically strong, and the team relies on him even in critical moments.
“It’s a sign that he’s not treated like a kid who doesn’t get passed the ball. He takes corners and free-kicks, has scored goals, and has only time to grow and become even stronger.
“I expected more from Estupinan this year and from the attack in general, from the entire department. They’ve rotated a lot up front, because no one has managed to emerge. Gimenez is doing poorly, Pulisic has constant physical problems, Leao isn’t comfortable in the centre-forward role.
“Fulkrug arrived in January and we can’t judge him, Nkunku was a complete disappearance in the first few months and now he’s woken up, but he’s still not the player they spent over €30m on – he’s not yet the tightrope walker he was at Leipzig.”
Finally, is there reason to really believe in the Scudetto dream? Or should top four be regarded as a worthy achievement?
“At the start of the year, I didn’t believe in the Scudetto, not even slightly. I thought Milan could have a good run, with a few more difficulties, to finish in the top four. That’s no easy task because there are six teams in contention, I don’t think Atalanta can be considered in the race.
“Allegri’s Milan have given their all, and if the championship is still open, it’s thanks to Milan. But to be a Scudetto contender, Milan must make virtually no mistakes, because Inter is a team that performs well, especially against smaller teams.
“It’s true, however, that the Nerazzurri will face a difficult period in the Champions League, but Milan can’t afford to lose ground because Inter are a significantly stronger team.”
