Before AC Milan’s fixture against Slovan Bratislava, Paulo Fonseca admitted that he struggled to give Youssouf Fofana a break, and he performed exceptionally again, causing some headaches.
With each passing game, Milan’s determination to add Fofana to their squad this summer seems like a better decision. However, it is fair to suggest it was not always like this.
The Frenchman initially struggled slightly after joining, but given the lack of a ‘proper’ pre-season this was understandable, and now, the story could not be more different. There is no chance to rest, and the only struggle is managing his minutes, but not due to conditioning.
As Fonseca stated before the game, resting the Frenchman is difficult due to the level he performs, and the lack of options available to replace him. Following his admission of struggle, the Frenchman delivered another fantastic performance, assisting Rafael Leao’s goal which opened the game slightly.
For this reason, Milan News calls the midfielder ‘fundamental’ to Fonseca’s system, supported by the fact that he has played 1,306 minutes so far this season. It seems the Portuguese head coach ‘cannot do’ without his Frenchman, and for this reason, a deputy is a must, because the gap to any of his replacements is substantial.
If he was our savoir in the midfield why do we still leak gaols?
Not to mention anyone who has 5 min can overrun our midfield.. Thumran alone was bossing our midfield in the juve game and Savvidis was bossing us vs slovan
Gotta hype the new players.
Given how horrible Emerson and Pavlovic are, given the dissapointment Abraham is after a promising start and given that Morata does good work in behind but isn’t scoring enough for a striker, you gotta hype the remaining player we purchased this summer otherwise this transfer window will get a 0/10.
Exactly.
It’s because he’s a new signing so he gets hyped..
He’s done ok but there are of course question marks for the reasons you’ve said.
Now that may be an issue with Fofana, or a gap in our midfield combinations particularly when it’s just him and Reijnders, or it could be the coach.
Given few of the players are performing, and we’re consistently being out played and thought by opponents then I’m inclined to blame the coach.
But the lack of objectivity and triple standards applied to new signings is obvious. The media relies on the transfer market for content so will always be supportive of new signings whilst critical of players who they consider need to be moved on to create new stories.
Agree with all , Fonseca has tactical problem with position of players, for me Morata is great , but the main problem is he is a striker and every match he play almost from defence. It’s great he can help with defending in midfield ( Giroud was great striker but don’t help with defending ) but first He must be around the box for more chances to score
He’s no DM but currently the only one who’s kinda capable of playing a pivot in this non functional 4231 Fonzy is pushing.
He’s better of playing as #8 in a three man midfield where his actual substitute is Musah.
Fofana/Musah – f’ckin DM – Reijnders/Zeroli
Balance.
Bingo! His gets alot of game time because no other kids are capable of defending which is sad and pure madness at the same time. Build an entire team, spend 200m and none of it on a capable DM. Not taking away from Fofana though this is not about him but he can only do so much really. Musah who technically is his sub and has a whole Serie A season in him is unable to provide adequate cover (at 20m mind you).
No other mids*
Maybe management thought, to sign DM , it’s just wasting time bc they need versatile players, who can cover box to box, AM, central midfielder, RMF, LMF, DM etc
That’s exactly what they think.
And that’s not how you build a competitive team. In any sport.
Jack of all trades master of none players are good for a sub