When AC Milan were struggling with defensive issues, the assumption was that an investment would be made in the January mercato. However, no such investment arrived, instead, Matteo Gabbia returned, and his impact was felt instantly.
At the height of the defensive crisis, the mercato was just about to open, and for weeks, speculation flooded the news about which defender would be elected to arrive in the winter mercato. However, Milan opted to move forward without investing, and this is now seen as a fantastic decision.
The investment was postponed until this summer, and we have seen the Rossoneri seeking reinforcements already, but the star of the winter mercato – Matteo Gabbia – must not be forgotten.
He did not arrive under the spotlight, but his performances quickly earned a light for him, and he was regularly the defender that the Diavolo needed him to be. A solid option, who would not steal the headlines, but prevent the opposition from writing their own.
However, his position is now under siege with Milan investing in their defence, there is now a question about who starts. Seemingly, it will be Strahinja Pavlovic and Fikayo Tomori, but Gabbia’s agent, Tullio Tinti, has offered a different solution when speaking to Sky Sports (via Milan News).
“In the starting line-up, I would put Gabbia because he has been the best defender in the last six months. He’s good. Gabbia definitely starts and then we put the others. So let’s put Gabbia-Pavlovic.”
Talking like pavlovic is already done
Agree on him being our best defender on the last 6 months. But we also need someone who has pace. That’s why Tomori should (still) be in our starting 11.
pace is overrated. game intelligence is what a great cb needs. and our boi Gab is showing it
he’s not wrong. Gabbia gets the job done, thats why i dont mind them selling Thiaw
All facts. Gabbia was the best defender when he came back. Gabbia-Tomori should be excellent.
Nothing bold stated here. It’s a fact.
Gambia and Timori will form a good defence Gabbia was by far the best defensive player last session when he return on loan.Thiaw is a good player but he got injured and his performance was not good,he is young and he can be a great defender he has the ability.
Glad to see everyone’s in agreement.
Shame they’re trying to sign at least 1 CB rather than focusing on giving Gabbia and Aomori defensive midfield cover.
Why is it a shame, always good to have backups, we used to have Dario Simic, Martin Laursen, Luigi Sala, Jose Chamot and Roque Junior all as backups for Maldini and Nesta before Stam and Maldini moved out left again.
I am not sure about your examples there.
Simic was first choice RB in 02/03.
Sala was first choice CB when we won the title in 98/99.
Laursen is a good example because he wasn’t at the same level as Maldini and Nesta which meant that Maldini and Nesta could form a partnership.
Stam was a mistake because he disrupted that defensive partnership. It could well be what cost the Scudetto and Champions League in 04/05.
The Juve BBC mostly had Cáceres as back up (who again crucially was not at the same level as BBC).
And this really is the key. We need to back our first choice CBs and they need to be starting 40-50 games next season.
We need a third as cover and another for injuries.
We shouldn’t be signing any new CBs though because
a) it’s a waste of money when we have a few;
b) the new signing (like any new worker in a workplace) will bring disruption and stop our CBs (Gabbia and Tomori) forming that 50+ games partnership.
“We shouldn’t be signing any new CBs though because it’s a waste of money when we have a few”
Who do we have? Tomori, Thiaw, non-starter Gabbia and rb/cb hybrid Kalulu? To be split among 3 competitions next season?
You’re right. Why would we ever add depth or more starting quality?
Would definitely love to see more of Gabbia. He really surprised me when he returned. Now I genuinely think he’s going to get even better
Mmm remember the last few games of the season, especially against Lukaku?. He was probably the best Milan CB last season but honestly don’t see him being a starter material. Having had a better season overall, he should be favoured in the initial picking order but I feel that the others will catch up with him and overtaken in a long season. Generally he’d be on par with Kalulu with Thiaw slightly ahead of them and Pavlovic-Tomori starting.
“Mmm remember the last few games of the season, especially against Lukaku?. He was probably the best Milan CB last season”
You mean when Lukaku shouldered him onto the ground like a straw man and passed the ball into the box that Dybala scored?
Gabbia isn’t good enough to start. There’s nothing to overtake.
Exactly that one.
Great start from January but didn’t do as well in the last 5 matches or so of the season.
Yep, I very much like his presence in the team but not as a starter.
Although I believe he should be given some advantage in the selection to build on from a good season..
..others will eventually take over the spot. But it’s fair to reward Gabbia with opportunities for a good 2024 so far.
Best defender in the last six mo’s…. Yea that’s high praise. LMAO!!!
Nothing bold there, if the kid has been putting in the work and showing his trade skills.