As it stands, AC Milan have done everything and nothing this summer. So, it is probably a good idea to take a look at things a bit.
Time is going to be needed with Milan over the next few months, of course. After all, Igli Tare and Massimiliano Allegri have only just walked into the building, and they’re left with the scraps of the past three managers and the problems of them too.
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For example, look at the team at the start of the mercato, and five of the Rossoneri’s stars were at risk. Tijjani Reijnders, since, has gone, Mike Maignan and Theo Hernandez both reportedly want out, whilst there are fluctuating reports about Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao.
In other words, the reset is there to be done, but where do the Rossoneri go from here? Well, do they actually know themselves?
No idea
In the past seven days, there have been links to 40 players. Yes, you read that right, 40, four zero. Of course, with a club like the Diavolo and the reset project underway, there will always be a number of links to different players.
However, this is staggering for any club, especially with the mercato not officially open and only one player solid.
Of course, we can factor this further. Milan have been linked to eight goalkeepers – due to the reports about Maignan, five left-backs – Theo replacement, seven central midfielders – Reijnders’ exit as well as the rumours of Yunus Musah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
There are further bits we can delve into here as well, such as the nine strikers linked to the Rossoneri. Again, though, this is understandable given Massimiliano Allegri’s desire to bring in a top level striker this summer to complement and challenge Santiago Gimenez.
This factors in stories about outgoing deals as well, but in the past week, the mercato tag here on SempreMilan has been used 153 times. Last summer, in the same period, there were around 30 fewer articles in the category.
Long story short, the Diavolo, on both an incoming and outgoing front, are busier – which is to be expected. However, this summer it certainly feels more like unorganised chaos rather than a real drive to go for a few targets.
For example, let’s look at the striker department. There have been links to so many different profiles, some like Gimenez – which is a questionable choice in itself – and then some more physical ideas too. Additionally, their actual position within the squad has varied.
For example, Dusan Vlahovic has been linked, as has Simon Sohm, two players that are completely different ends of the scale in terms of demands, both contractually and in terms of playing time. Of course, it is needed to cover bases, but there is, again, difficulties understanding what exactly the club are after.
Key targets
Within that 40, there have been some linked more prevalently than others, take Vlahovic, for example, who has been the hot topic of the mercato. Then, someone like Vanja Milinkovic-Savic has had more concrete reports about him than Zion Suzuki.
So, there are ideas and ideas. Even still, though, there is a slight feeling of chaos with the situation, as both moves could work. Again, we can go back to last summer, when the Rossoneri wanted Youssouf Fofana.
Rather than allow the chance to pass them, they (eventually) got a deal done for their number one target. Thus far, there has not been the same level of targeting for anyone this summer, though it is the early days, so this can be forgiven.
From the outside, the positions of interest and need are clear. A left-back is a must, regardless of Theo Hernandez’s position; a right-back is needed, another midfielder would help, and another striker has to arrive.
But, there at least seems to be no clarity with the actual choosing of certain players, barring the odd request from Massimiliano Allegri. What the club cannot do, though, is get held up on certain targets who have already shown no interest in the move, like Adrien Rabiot.
Overview
The mercato has only just opened, so of course, there is a lot of time for things to change. Allegri and Tare have only, in the grand scheme of things, just walked through the door, so a period of mess is going to happen.
However, clarification on targets (both literally and just positionally) must arrive soon. The squad needs to be assembled quickly, and things cannot be left late again. After all, Milan did that last season, with coaches and recruitment, and we saw how it played out.
With that said, the mercato is meant to be a bit of madness, and it would not be a surprise if certain ‘ideas’ are just throw-away shouts from different parties, it is not the first time we have seen it, it won’t be the last.
For everyone’s sake, though, it would be nice to have a little order.
3-5-2 should be based on his previous teams, but Pulisic is not usable in this formation…
3-4-1-2 or 3-4-3 is needed to make Puli functional and this drastically changes who we should sign…
for instance 3-5-2 needs more midfielders, but all 3 need more CBs…
3-4-3, would need 2 wingers for Leao and Pulisic subs, which makes it less realistic imo… too much money would go there. 3-4-1-2 would be more fluid and CAM/ST is more acquirable than wingers, atm.
2 CBs, cause Thiaw will leave… Zappacosta and Modric are good cheap versions to go for LB and CM depth… We need Tiji replacement / partner for Fofana and cover for Puli.
I predict we will use between 4-3-3 and 3-4-3 those are the two most viable and practicable formations if we decide to keep Leao.
But, depending on our opponent, we may also play with 2 strikers either 4-4-2 or 3-5-2. The team must be built to be flexible enough to alternate between a 1 striker, 2 wingers formation and a 2 striker formation.
This is an essential consideration which must be taken as a precaution for the peculiarity of Leao, just in case he feebles out in the course of the season, we simply ditch the wingers formation upon which will be heavily reliant on Leao.
But as for Puli, he can play as an SS in a 2 striker formation, and RW in a 2 wingers formation. He’s not a worry.
Conte gave up the game with 3 CBs, because that doesn’t work anymore even in Italy, let alone in Europe. I don’t understand the desire to play with 5 in defense.
Jimenez is useless in 4 men defense… also we are losing Alexis and he can cover both flanks like the Spaniard
So, because of Jimenez, are we going to play without wings? Best to rule out Leao and Pulisic so that Jimenez plays in a 5-man defense. The 3 CB game is a living horror. I hope I will never see her in Milan again. Zaccheroni won the Scudetto with 3-4-3 and nothing good ever came of it. 4-3-3 or if you have good AM SS and CF play 4-3-1-2 or 4-2-3-1.
Inter has won I think 3 or 4 Scudetto playing this 3-5-2 recently.
Inter won two titles playing in a 3-5-2 formation. From season 2019/20 Juventus 4-3-3; season 20/21 Inrer 3-5-2; season 21/22 Milan 4-2-3-1; season 22/23 Napoli 4-3-3; season 23/24 Inter 3-5-2 and season 24/24 Napoli 4-3-3. So, of the last 6 titles won, only two were won by a team playing in a 3-5-2 formation. And why would he play Milan when, except under Zacheroni, he never played with 5 in defense????
Correct me if I’m wrong, but it isn’t the club that are linking us to 40 odd players giving the impression off a dirctionless clown car, but the media. I’m all for thinking the management are a bunch of bufoons, but can we all just wait until actual offers are made or accepted until we all loose our minds?
so what exactly is the club doing to justify any sort of optimism?
Go and ask your grand father 👨
Ha ha so true.
You’re very odd.
What a strange little man…
Whole lotta of nothing.
We’ll be in 11th to 15th place next season.
“They’ve been linked with 40 players….”
Yes, but most of that is made up nonsense for clicks.
We need just modric and xhaka then we win serie a next season and the other transfers can be some talented young nonames as backups max. Price 20m.
If maignan have to leave the best replacement will be dollarumma get that kid back to Milano.
AC Milan 2025/2026
Maignan, Doue (€18-20M), Gabbia (captain), Pavlovic, Zinchenko (€18-20M), Fofana, Tillman (€25-27M), Jimenez, Guerra (€22-25M), Pulisic, Vlahovic (€20-23M)
I wouldn’t pay too much attention to all of the players Milan are being linked with in the media. 99% of it is just journalists speculating.
Where is Jashari? Thought we’re gonna sign DMF Ardon Jashari right?
Even if they sign a player like Jashari, he’s as good as gone in 2 seasons time. Our ownership made it known to other clubs, everyone here has a price tag and we’re glad to sell anyone. We fans are in this emotionally, more or less. Gerry told you all, he’s not getting emotionally involved. It’s only a business and as such, expect these practises of selling best players each season.