Gerry Cardinale is planning several big changes at AC Milan this summer in order to put things right after a season with difficulties, according to a report.
Cardinale’s interview with the Financial Times last night certainly hinted that some alterations are coming, and La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) writes how the Milan owner ordered interventions in all areas of the club.
The changes will be profound and the new Milan will be born on new foundations. Cardinale has not ruled out anything or anyone: the revolution will involve all the sectors of the club where he can make decisions.
The coach
A final judgment on Stefano Pioli’s future will be postponed until the end of the season, because winning the Europa League is something that could cause evaluations to change.
On the contrary, the chances of staying is quite low if he weren’t to win it. After almost five years, Milan are planning to change the head coach to start a new course.
With Antonio Conte it could be tough in terms of salary, his demands, tough character and methods, but the hypothesis is there. Other choices would be less disruptive such as Julen Lopetegui who is a concrete idea. In his career he has won only one title: the Europa League (with Sevilla).
Another profile under observation is that of Thiago Motta. After Genoa, Spezia and his fantastic job so far Bologna (fourth in the table, five points behind Milan) it would be his first job at a top club. Marcello Gallardo – currently at Al-Ittihad – rounds off the shortlist.
The additions
As Milan city 16 points behind their city rivals Inter, it is clear that there is a big gap between the squads and thus a new restyling is needed after last summer’s, when the 10 signings seemed to constistute an overhaul.
Olivier Giroud and Simon Kjaer are on expiring contracts, and even if the striker decided to stay at Milan for another year, he can not and will not be the cornerstone of the attack because new goals are needed.
The next No.9 will be a player Under 25. Joshua Zirkzee is 22 years old and it is not only for this reason does he tick a lot of boxes: he knows the league well, he can play as a lone striker and he might just be within the price range even if Bayern Munich can buy him back for €40m.
The same figure would certainly be enough to get RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, who at 20 years of age has 11 goals so far this season but is struggling to get regular starts due to the presence of Lois Openda among others.
Cardinale cannot be satisfied with the defensive numbers given Milan have let in 32 goals in the league, so a central defender is another priority. The list of targets starts with Maxence Lacroix of Wolfsburg, 23 years old, whose contract expires in June 2025.
Lilian Brassier of Brest, 24 years old and with the same contractual situation, is also among the already known targets. Tosin Adarabioyo, 26, will leave Fulham in the summe and could be available on a free transfer.
The sales
The big names will not leave unless a super offer convinces the club to change position, basically as the Sandro Tonali case teaching us. A more expansive summer window could be financed with the sale of one of Mike Maignan, Theo Hernandez or Rafael Leao.
Offers are unlikely to arrive for Samuel Chukwueze given he cost €28m, while Noah Okafor is another player that is unlikely to generate big interest. However, both forwards are not untransferable.
Luka Jovic, another attacking option, has a contract expiring in June and at the moment he is playing for his future because the possibility of a renewal has receded again.
The club
Who knows whether the changes Cardinale talks about also refer to the management structure. Or strictly corporate: RedBird’s number one has officially opened up to the possibility of an oriental partner.
