The midfield department was arguably the cause of a lot of AC Milan’s issues last season, but now it could become the strength of the tea.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) writes this morning, the middle of the park has undergone the most changes for Milan. The completion of the Ardon Jashari deal follows the arrivals of Samuele Ricci and Luka Modric, and the sale of Tijjani Reijnders.
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The directors have done their bit, now it’s up to Massimiliano Allegri to balance the desire, ambition and fitness of his midfielders to consistently find a profitable balance in the formation.
New faces
In friendlies, the coach varied the systems between a 3-5-2 and a 4-3-3. The key point, therefore, remains the three players at the heart of the team. When, against Liverpool and Arsenal, the midfield became a four-man midfield (5-4-1), a striker, usually Christian Pulisic, was the one to connect.
The first factor that reassures Allegri is this: there is considerable abundance in this area, not only numerically, but also technically and physically. In addition to the new players, Youssouf Fofana and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Yunus Musah and Warren Bondo should also be included in the list.
One of the latter two will be sold. The former can also serve as a right-back if needed, while the latter – who is 22 years old in mid-September – needs to play after his experience at Monza, also to evaluate his future.
Allegri could build a formation of only new faces (Modric-Ricci-Jashari), with the two midfielders rotating, but common sense should prevail over the pride of showcasing the new arrivals together to demonstrate that the transfer was a success.
Physicality and technique
It is therefore difficult for the coach to do without the physicality of Youssouf Fofana, while he was very impressed by the inclusion of Ricci in the friendlies.
The former Granata captain improved in the previous season in his closing down and his timing, acting almost like a pure regista in front of the defence. If he needs help, Fofana can rush in; but Jashari is not a man who simply makes incursions.
Elected best player of the Belgian league last season, the Swiss international arrives accompanied by significant statistics, such as that of best ball recovery of Bruges (169) and ability in through passes (11) on a par with Hans Vanaken.
Against Atalanta in the Champions League, he also moved to the wing, to avoid man-marking, but then knew how to move centrally and emerged victorious in the duel with Ederson. When it comes to attacking quality, his build-up play stands out.
Rotations
Milan will only play in domestic competitions, but rotation is a must. Loftus-Cheek, if he isn’t plagued by injuries, will be deployed in a dual role as midfielder and attacking midfielder. His goal-scoring percentage is usually high: two years ago, when he was in better condition, he scored ten goals.
However, Modric, with his elite tactical intelligence, could also step up to the plate, especially for certain deployments in specific match segments. The Croatian’s age (he turns 40 in September) is the unknown factor for his season. How he is managed could be the key.
Combining Fofana’s physical attributes, Ricci’s playmaking abilities, Modric’s dribbling and calmness, Jashari’s versatility, and Loftus-Cheek’s eye for goal – plus at least one other capable reserve – feels like a winning alchemy. Certainly more so than last season.
Jashari modric Ricci fofana
Kessie bennacer Tonali krunic
We don’t need 5 or 6 midfielders just a 3 good ones who complement & cover for each other and one decent option for rotation.
None of Kessie, Bennacer, Tonali and Krunic was 40 years old.
Moreover, then we played with a 4-2-3-1 formation therefore needed only 2 double pivots to act as starters and substitutes.
But, if we play with a 4-3-3 which is most likely, we will definitely need at least 6 midfielders to act as starters and substitutes.
Nothing is cast on stone in football. Football is an art and not science.
This new midfield is really exciting. Full of quality, and it will definitely make a huge difference throughout the season.
The big issue now is the excess players. I’m not sure if we can register Bondo as an U22 player, but either way we have to focus on moving on at least three, if not four, of the midfield names we currently have on the books. Even with a three man midfield we have a crazy surplus now.
We gotta get rid of/probably trying to get rid of: Bennacer, Adli and one of Musah/Bondo.
Bennacer will make our lives difficult once again, Adli doesn’t have many suitors. Musah seems the closest to an exit.
Gotta accept anything that will reduce our wages, even a dry loan at this point.
They are so eager to move, aren’t they?
Musah and Bondo need playing time. Sitting on the bench isn’t going to help them advance. They are both 22. Loan them out. See how they do as a starter or frequent backup in a different system.
Musah needs to be sold, although it’s scary that Conte is asking for him and could unlock him.
Bondo needs minutes but won’t likely get very many at Milan this season …
Yes, it’s simply the Seedorf-Pirlo-Gattuso formula, with Ambrosini-Brocchi backup formula. You don’t need 8 midfielders fighting it out for 3 spots.
Nice article Oli, I think Allegri will balance the midfield with a destroyer, regista, and a mezz’ala. Modric and Ricci can play the regista role, while Fofana/RLC/Bondo can act as destroyer and Jashari as the mezz’ala.
We haven’t seen anyone “destroy” since Kessie so that’s a huge role to fill. But I am curious to see the balance.
Jashari does have devensive tendencies but can you field him and RLC together on either side of Modric/Ricci? Or do they have to play in place of one another, next to a 6 and Fofana?
Remains to be seen.
Fofana/RLC/Bondo are all enforcers at best.
I completely agree that we needed a real destroyer for this team.
Someone like Palhinha or Morten Hjulmand would be my pick any day and time.
But I hope Ricci would suffice.
Bondooo is the worst among all discussed.
That dude has no growth at elite level
I am sensing that legendary 4-4-2 matching perfectly for these midfielders.
Estupinan, 2 CBs, Alex Gimenez; Jashari, Ricci, Modric, Fofana; Gimenez, (Hojlund or Vlahovic)
We must have stability compared to last season with this quality in midfield
no leao and pulisic? are you serious.
ye a 4 4 2 isnt even possible . Allegri already said the team will be based around Leao.
To be fair, 4-4-2 is how won against Liverpool despite what you might read by certain pundits. Pulisic as LM, Saladmaker as RM. Leao and RLC forwards. And we have backup for Pulisic and Salad in Gimenez. But I doubt will see this formation many times throughout the season