AC Milan have been linked with several defensive midfielders in the last few weeks, as this position appears to be one of the priorities this summer. However, which should the Rossoneri choose? Below, we take a look at some stats.
The Rossoneri conceded a whopping 49 goals in Serie A this past season, lacking a lot of balance above all in the midfield. With Ismael Bennacer out for half of the season, and mainly with attacking-minded players on the pitch, the defenders were often left alone.
In recent weeks, the likes of Youssouf Fofana, Mats Wieffer and even Adrien Rabiot have been linked with a move to Milan. The Monaco man appears to be the main target, with the Rossoneri eyeing an €18m move, but the alternatives are there for a reason.
On his X account, Rohit Rajeev has taken a look at these targets along with a few more, making some key observations. Y-Axis (Offensive Actions, all per 90 min): Shot Creating Action + Passes into Penalty Area + Goal Creation actions. X-Axis (Defensive Actions): Tackles Won + Interceptions.
Key observations
- In terms of defensive actions, Florentino Luis (Benfica) is way ahead of the others.
- Tijjani Reijnders, in terms of offensive actions, tops the list and this reinforces the idea that he needs to be played further up the pitch.
- Mats Wieffer (Feyenoord) combines both defensive actions and offensive actions really well. He seems to be an ideal candidate, especially since he’s used to intense pressing.
- Sofyan Amrabaat (Fiorentina) is extremely underwhelming given that La Viola are expected to request €30m for him.
- Yacine Adli has huge potential.
- Youssouf Fofana (Monaco) has more attacking actions than defensive ones, which perhaps suggests that he’s more of a No.8 than a No.6.
- The former Bologna player Jerdy Schouten and Nottingham’s Ibrahim Sangare excel in defensive actions, which suggests they could be good options.
OBSERVATIONS
· In terms of Defensive Actions Florentino Luis of Benfica is clear of the pack.
· Reijnders in terms of offensive actions tops the list which reinforces my belief that he is not a DM and needs to be pushed forward more
· Wieffer combines both defensive actions and… pic.twitter.com/1I1EivefLJ— Rohit Rajeev (@keralista) June 30, 2024
Lazar Samardzic
For DM? 🤦♂️
Hes an LW/AM. no.
DM – Weiffer looks solid though.
RB – Joao Cancelo is available for 30m, I believe if we can negotiate around 25m we can have him. He will effectively solve our RB problems for the next 3-4 years. A top player like this must be sought.
Striker position: slightly confused though, but wouldn’t mind any of these in this particular order, or maybe two if Jovic leaves:
1. Dovbyk
2. Pavlidis
3. Lukaku
We should be set.
Cancelo is overrated cràp and a massive salary.. an anchor for 3-4 years. If he was a top player, śhitu would’ve never send him on loan. Twice. And nobody wants to buy him.
Anchor
Well City have a certain Kyle Walker, so Cancelo refused to be on the bench.
Bayern had Alphonso Davies back from injury, so Cancelo refused to be on the bench.
Finally, at Barcelona where he also impressed as usual, they don’t have money to keep him permanently.
Go and listen to the reviews from his coaches on why he wasn’t signed, not because he wasn’t good enough. But yeah, he’s a crap player.
But we have Calabria.
And you think Calabria is anywhere close to Cancelo, I wouldn’t be surprised, after all he’s italian, so who cares buddy?
So Barcelona doesn’t have 25M for him but Milan does, a…
Whatever, he’s nowhere near our shortlist thank cthulhu. Dreadful player, like most Portuguese to he honest
No Milan doesn’t, but you do.
Whatever mate… it’s your life.
Pavlidis was already set to join Benfica.
Just looked that up.
He would have been great though.
Was it just me or were any other Anglo-Italians a minute away from elation tonight? ☹️
Nah, it’s the foreigners fault.
Or maybe because the “so good” italian squad was playing in a foreign stadium.
So yeah, that’s it.
Wieffer+Andrade is my first choice.
Hojbjerg will do just fine. He is a good DM, adds experience without being too old, and will only cost 15M. Take Hojbjerg and save money here to spend on a top CB. Get Buongiorno and one of those 50M strikers without having to sell anyone important.
Even better than that, sell Bennacer to Saudi for 50m and get Wieffer, sell Thiaw to Newcastle and sign Buongiorno…that leaves most of the budget for a RB and striker. I’m a big fan of Bennacer but if he’s not going to play cash in.
If United are prepared to stick 15m up Kia’s arse then go in for Hoijland
Y’all don’t know football. Talking ****.
No one has seen how Fofana is identical to Adli I mean Adli is better as on paper. Yet the management wants to sell him and Bennacer. Bennacer? C’mon. Then you’ll want to sell Thiaw!! C’mon. You’ll don’t know football.
Let me tell you, keep Bennacer, keep Adli, keep Thiaw
Buy Wieffer
Weiffer seems the obvious choice by stats, and him and Reijnders should form a really nice double pivot; or perhaps a triangle with Reijnders and RLC/Rabbiot as mezzele?
Go get this player, that player…
These ‘fans’… Sometimes I wonder if we are living in the same world
Fans do what fans do buddy.
Maybe we ought to call for the signing of musicians rather than players.
Don’t hate the player baby, hate the game… it is what it is.
I’ve been saying this all along, Fofana is not defensive enough to play as a lone CDM
I only see Fofana as defensive no.8 on the right side of midfield of three. In that case we need a deep lying playmaker in front of defence. Rabiot could take that role:
Reijnders-Rabiot-Fofana
Or 4231:
—-Reijnders—-
Rabiot – Fofana
For 433, Wieffer would be best solution as a no.6 holding midfielder with our ball chasers on each side:
Reijnders-Wieffer-RLC(Musah)
Yes wiefer are very balance DMF . I dont even mind if ACM use simic as bargain chip if they can get wiefer . 433 : Tiji ( pobega ) – Wiefer ( Bennacer) – RLC ( musah) . Just sell adili , he is surplus there
Koliko već pregovaraju danas su trebali uplatit novce i dovest igrače te ih s prvim treningom uigravat ! Ali ne oni će pokupit škart zadnji dan prelaznog roka
Glad to see stats confirm what we knew about Deer man’s defensive abilities. Based on that graph we really need Luis for balance
Take Wieffers….best option – that is if we actually plan to spend some money.
Luis would nice but he will likely cost too much $$$ – Benfica doesn’t sell for cheap