As AC Milan continue their hunt for a new centre-back, it is possible that the main solution might be internal.
La Gazzetta dello Sport begin their piece on Koni De Winter by pointing out that he is someone who is at his best in the winter. Jokes aside, it is something that has been confirmed by the defender’s performances in the last few weeks.
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De Winter is carving out a role for himself in the squad under Massimiliano Allegri, after a first few months that were decidedly below expectations. Despite the natural disorientation of moving from a lower-tier team to one fighting for the Scudetto, the Belgian seemed unable to find his feet.
He made tactical and positioning errors, and this made him a poor copy of the one he wore for the Rossoblu, perhaps because he was trying too hard to impress. Amid talk of a defensive signing, De Winter might just be the perfect ‘fourth man’.
Recent rise
The plaudits are two-fold. Firstly, Allegri did his part to get De Winter playing at close to his best levels by persevering with him and gradually finding the right position in the back three for him. The player also did a good job adapting to the needs of the manager and shaking off any nerves.
Regarding a potential signing, it becomes a matter of opportunity. As Allegri says, ‘the management will be ready’ if something comes up. Igli Tare said just ten days ago: “We’ll definitely be alert if there’s something that can help us. We’ll do it if necessary. For now, we’re fine as we are.”
That pressing need is no longer there. De Winter eliminated it with a series of matches in which he has gained increasing confidence. The goal against Roma, crucial in the eventual draw, is merely an added bonus to the substance of his performances in this period without Strahinja Pavlovic.
Let’s put it this way: if De Winter were still the same player he was in 2025, the Serbian would likely have been asked to grit his teeth and start games, with all the risks that entails. Or, Davide Bartesaghi could have been used at LCB.
As things stand now, Koni has his confidence back, has ‘solved a problem in the squad’ and allowed the club to save money. If an attractive opportunity arises by next Monday then Milan could seize it, but there is no longer an urgent need to.
I would like to see him in Tomori’s place when Pavlovic is back
Tomori has his flaws but he also has great recovery speed.
Unfortunately he has needed his great recovery speed all the time lately… 🤦♂️
Yes but he’s also not been responsible for Milan conceding goals, unlike Gabbia (against Genoa) and Bartesaghi (Fiorentina, Como and Penalties given away against Fiorentina and Roma).
Tomori right now isn’t our biggest problem in defense, though the Pro-Italia camp will feel otherwise.
Let’s put it this way: if De Winter were still the same player he was in 2025, the Serbian would likely have been asked to grit his teeth and start games, with all the risks that entails. Or, Davide Bartesaghi could have been used at LCB.
Calm down! The only difference has been that he has gotten a decent run of games. Same way Ricci is clearly doing better as he is getting more consecutive games. Same will happen for Jashari and Athekame too if given the chance. The team is pretty decent. Let’s stop writing players off too quickly.