AC Milan are looking to add at least two defenders, but departures cannot be ruled out either, and a report has suggested there could be some surprises in the mercato.
It is known that Milan would like to add a central defender and a right-back to their arsenal this summer, but these plans can change throughout the mercato for a multitude of reasons.
Firstly, it could change due to tactical choices, which we are already beginning to see with Pierre Kalulu. In recent training sessions, Paulo Fonseca has been trialling him as a right-back, and this could lessen the need for a new right-back.
However, this would then add the need for another central defender, if not two, so things like this must be considered.
Tactical changes are not the only consideration on the table, though, given the mercato is not just about buying players, and Gazzetta dello Sport (via Radio Rossonera) are suggesting that there could be some unexpected defensive departures.
Malick Thiaw is a target for Newcastle United, and Jan-Carlo Simic’s contractual situation is causing clubs to watch his situation. Additionally, Alessandro Florenzi is suspected to leave, which would create a chasm at full-back, given his ability to cover both flanks.
Simic needs to stay but I understand him wanting more first team minutes. Maybe Fonseca can bridge the Futuro to the first team well.
Simic can become such a star you can feel it just by the confidence he plays with, absolute beast
the issue with Simic is not that he wants first team minutes, its the request to be paid like a first team player. Ideally, he would accept an extension and get the opportunity to prove his value, but they aren’t going to give him a big contract without a bigger sample size…its a case of bad timing…Zeroli meanwhile, is likely coming into the first team with 4 years on a .2 M contract…
I’m not sure if I got you right here but hose 2 mil is for a combined four years not pr. season.
.2 or 200,000…net per year or 220,000ish. Yeah.
it is a 0.2 M
Not sure if i misunderstand you here but Zerolis entire 4 year contract is worth 2 mil, not pr. year.
2.6M is the average Milan wage…
Milan could get a bigger sample of Simic’ performance by giving him more minutes last season.
The only player Milan should release in the defence is Florenzi, he is 34, slow, and a hindrance to the development of the younger players who can play in his position, Calabria, Terraciano,Kalulu , even Simic could be converted to a right back, then you factor in the return of Coubis from injury, he has started preseason with Milan Futuro , then you begin to understand having Florenzi is a waste of space and money, and if you are thinking about the Italian quota for UCL , Coubis could be registered, he has Italian citizenship, and he already has both the size and tactical strength to be in the first team.
All this talk of defenders is annoying. We don’t need a big signing if it’s not Buongiorno or Scalvini. With Tomori, Thiaw, Gabbia we have a good starting core. Promote a youngster or sign a Serie A veteran as a back-up along with Simic. Theo and Kalulu can slot in in case of a crisis.
The focus should be on midfield. Fofana is not enough. How many here think Musah, Loftus Cheek, Adli, Pobega would be starters in a Serie A winning side? I have my doubts about Reijnders as well, solid player but not impactful. Bennacer is the only proven one but he needs to recover his pre-injury form. We rely solely on Leao, Theo, and Pulisic to create chances and score goals. We need a midfielder who can do that.