Massimiliano Allegri wants to change the way that his AC Milan side play, and his latest idea concerns the midfield configuration.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) write this morning, Ardon Jashari has played almost as much as he has in the rest of the season during the last two games. He played for 90 minutes against Como and got another 74 against Parma, for a total of 164 minutes.
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In the rest of his league appearances to that point, he had played 205 minutes. If he plays against Cremonese, as everything suggests, he will overtake his entire six-month haul of minutes at Milan in just two weeks.
It’s clear his time has come, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s injury can only open up doors for him, which until now have been closed off by the untouchable Modric-Rabiot duo and the presence of a muscular midfielder like Youssous Fofana or someone already adapted to Serie A like Samuele Ricci.
Now, Jashari is the newcomer ready to take center stage, and even a Ballon d’Or winner was involved to facilitate his introduction. Luka Modric moved forward a bit, allowing Ardon to move into a more central position. On other occasions, the two alternated. The vision: two playmakers.
The need for quality
The game against Como was the only match Jashari had played in its entirety so far. He provided the assist for Rafael Leao’s goal, his first in Serie A and his first league goal contribution since March 2025 for Club Brugge.
The numbers say more: with six long passes (one pinpoint to set up Rafa), he was the team’s top passer. He recovered four balls and had a total of 70 touches, the most involved player in the midfield behind only his majesty Luka.
For Allegri, Ardon is a regista, a player with qualities to exploit in the build-up phase. The new Modric, or at least the Rossoneri player who will take over his duties, could already be at home. Meanwhile, the reorganisation of the midfield opens up new scenarios.
Against Parma, the Swiss also persistently tried to score with four attempts, two on target and two off. He’s eager to make up for lost time after an incredibly unlucky start to the season, including a fractured fibula in training.
Milan then rebuilt itself around the late summer arrival of Rabiot. Modric was the regista, Adrien as a jack-of-all-trades, and Fofana as a more physical presence. The most recent change saw Loftus-Cheek take over from Fofana, but his injury changes things again.
An investment to repay
Jashari’s role is also intriguing due to the summer marathon, which saw the deal reach the finish line in Milan only in early August, with a fee of over €30m agreed with Club Brugge. He made his league debut against Cremonese, getting to know San Siro before his long lay-off.
He returned to league action at the end of December. In mid-January, he made his first start away against Fiorentina, and at San Siro he was dropped from the starting XI for the first time in the victory over Lecce.
Two more brief stints against Como and Bologna followed, the more recently against Como again and against Parma. With Milan’s support, he could also run for Switzerland and secure a spot in the World Cup squad.
He did not take part in qualifying matches due to injury, but in 2025 he was considered a starter. His debut dates back to 2022, when Ardon had just turned 20 and was playing for Luzern. Long before becoming the best player in the Belgian league with Club Brugge, and long before arriving at Milan.
You can’t use them simultanously. Both Modrić and Jashari are currently deep lying playmakers, thus occupying the same area of the pitch, with the same reflexes, tendencies,…
Perhaps Modrić can go back to his old position as a mezzala, but given his age, I’m not that’s doable.
But in any case, Jashari is going to be Modrić’s deputy for next season, so if we somehow secure a UCL spot before the end of the season, we can use the remaining games to give more time to Jashari.
They can and should be playing together. Modric was playing with Kroos at Madrid. Jashari was also playing with another DM in Brugges. There is no reason to play Fofana over Jashari, Jashari is better at everything that needs to be done in a football pitch: defensive reading, ball recovery, tecnique, short pass, long pass, shooting. There is not a single thing in which Fofana is better. Same for Ricci.
Great analysis…
You do know Fofana makes more assists, right? So he is better at one thing, the final pass.
This season Fofana only has 2 assists in serie A.
Jashari has 1 assist playing way less minutes
good analysis. Looking at Jashari’s heat map at Brugge shows he actually played a lot further up the pitch. Fofana is faster isnt he? Perhaps that’s why Allegri puts him in often. Rabiot and Modric arent the fastest cats, so maybe Fofana provided that speed cover? idk. lol i agree with you 100%.
Those teams also played a 4231 though. Nothing will change until the 5 man defence goes
LOL. Of course they can play together.
Next one to be sold for capital gains
And if he was sold at a loss or left for free, you’d be the first to complain. You’ve been exposed this season for the fraud you are.
Where did I bash Donna and Kessie for leaving for free? You’re a sad little narcissist making stuff up as usual.
Jashari is the future. Not Modric. Milan would be wise to build around the Swiss Wiz.
Excellent
It can’t work 2gether playing jashari n modric,u hv to use fofona modric n rabiot or Ricci modric n rabiot, pls sir .
Milan has quality players…the problem is the mentality of the coach. Playing without urgency and attack-mindedness is not a winning strategy.. Allegri should stress winning the ball and attacking opponents.. anything else will not bring victories. Already the Scudetto is out of reach.