Cesc Fabregas is a name that has been linked with AC Milan in recent weeks, and a report has suggested that the current squad could be a good fit for him.
As Corriere dello Sport writes this morning, Fabregas is certainly an intriguing coach. His style of play, his personality, his courage and his constant presence also due to his glorious past as a footballer make him a profile to pay particular attention to.
And Milan are seriously evaluating him. The discussions, eventually, will come to the fore with the nomination (expected soon) of the new sporting director, but the Rossoneri and the Spanish coach are in some way destined to cross paths sooner or later.
The past and present
As a player, the Catalan came close to Milan several times. After the 2010-11 Scudetto he was the mysterious Mister X, that ended up being Antonio Nocerino. He was linked in 2016 and 2018 but preferred to stay at Chelsea, and more recently CEO Ivan Gazidis thought about a move.
Maybe a few years down the line and with a different role, Fabregas could finally find a home at San Siro. At Milan, eventually, the Spaniard would find a squad already quite close to his tactical ideas.
In his so far very short career in Serie A, including only the 29 games played in the current season plus the first round of the Coppa Italia, Como has always played with 4-2-3-1. A modern, attacking system that Fabregas has built on the shores of the lake.
He has done so thanks to the two big transfer windows from the Como ownership, made up of many young players, to be refined and developed, to be set up tactically and technically, and a series of slightly more experienced players.
The same dynamics in terms of the type of football expected and the idea of developing young players would be repeated at Milan, but it comes at a decidedly higher level of pressure and ambition.
Tentazione Fabregas
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A future at Milan?
How would his team look? Well, Fabregas loves building from the back. Mike Maignan, in this fundamental, is certainly among the key men.
The Spaniardโs central defenders must know how to handle the ball well. Malick Thiaw would be destined for the starting line-up, as would the false full-back โ more of a third centre-back on the right โ Kyle Walker. Another central defender might be needed from the market.
Theo Hernandezโs situation is particular: Fabregas would have gladly welcomed him at Como in January, but the Frenchman refused the advances. The two might not cross paths at Milan with the renewal issue unresolved.
In midfield, Fabregas prefers dynamic and complete players. Youssouf Fofana is a guarantee, alongside him the profile of Samuele Ricci would seem ideal. The Torino star has been linked with a summer move already.
Moving to the attack, Christian Pulisic could have a similar role on the right to what Strefezza does with Como. Tijjani Reijnders, Milanโs technical star, would act as an all-round attacking midfielder, like Nico Paz.
And then Rafael Leao: the Portuguese winger could struggle if he does not show himself to be competent in team play, like Assane Diao has. But the Spanish coach is not one to cage his players: he would know how to unleash their talent. Up front, obviously, Santiago Gimenez.
In short, the resouces to work are there, and we just need to understand if Fabregas will be the chosen tailor.
So basically the same system anyone would play with this team? ๐
Yep. The same 4231 formation we have mostly played for years. But back to more emphasis on holding the ball. Like we briefly did under Fonseca.
Which I believe the stats are showing is was better than anything we have done under Conceicao.
Keep Conceicao for next season. Fabregas might be another Motta in Juve shadow. Give the present coach time to adapt and instill his football tactics and philosophy against next season
Absolutely true, conceicao deserve more time.
Italiano, Di Zerbi and Francesco Farioli are all better options. Iโm not convinced about Fabergas although his Como team plays well and I like his style and tactics.
I just think that this is a big step up and not what we need. But it could work even though itโs a huge risk.
Motta Bologna 6eams plays well too, but 2hat happens to Motta Juventus?
One thing if for inexperienced and unachievable coach to coach mid/bottom team with less ambitions then performed where there is no pressure and only objective it’s not to relegate.
Another is coach a big Club with 3 to 5 objectives in a season with so much pressure from management, fan and even the players.
The challenges is different. Not all these one season wonders coaches will perform miracle and bring Milan back to is glory days. Not even with the style the management operates. Going for less quality with cheaper cost and expect perfection.
No more try and error
If at all this system will work, it will require continuity of about 2seasons for the coach to be able to assembled his team and make them play the type of football he want.
Lmao, Ricci in that lineup… With what? No CL football? Stop dreaming.
Anyway, for possession based football you need passers and creativity. Which we don’t have. Best we can do is runners, dribblers and ball chasers.
They can be replaced. As the article states, Leao would have an issue with team play. He is also one of the runners/ball chasers. Solution? Sell him and use half the money buy Assane Diao. Who are the other ball chaser? Theo? He’s got one foot out the door, so it won’t be a problem. Whatever we get for him will be enough to find a decent replacement. Then use the other half of the Leao money to get whatever kind of midfielder is needed. Sell Musah to some mid-table PL club for 30M, and sign another midfielder of the right kind for depth/rotation. Finally, sell Tomori and use that cash to replace him with the appropriate style CB. 4 out, 4 in, same system, different result. One one fell swoop we’ve gotten rid of the individualists and runners/dribblers/ball chasers, save for maybe Chukwueze, but I think having one for certain situations is fine and we want to avoid too much turnover.
How is Leao a ball chaser/runner when he’s top assistman for last 5 years in Serie A?
He would probably sell Musah, Terracciano and Tomori and use the cash to buy Ricci and another central defender who is much better on the ball.
But concidering Fabregas have owners share in Como I doubt he will leave after just one season.
Why would we appoint a 37-year-old guy with zero experience in winning titles? Milan is NOT a club where you learn on the job. This has been proven again and again. Inevitably, Fabregas will find it tough going after a couple of months and we’ll have an interim coach and another Year Zero on our hands.
Fabregas may be promising but that doesn’t cut it for a club like Milan. We’re one of a handful of teams where you’re expected to win every match. Pick up one too many draws here and the club will considered to be in “crisis.”
We need a proven winner who’ll have the respect of the players — ideally Conte — or someone like De Zerbi, who has impressed in multiple countries, plays superb football and is a known Milan fan. Fabregas will be a boneheaded move and Furlani will pay for it with his job if it happens.
If it depend on furlani, I bet he will choose fabregas.. After Fonseca, concecaio, fabregas and many more will come.. Fan talking and dreaming of more experience coaches but they forget that furlani and zlatan as well are lack of experiences. They will make mistake, and probably at some point will succeed too.. Either in Milan or with other club..
This is stupid, heโs a como owner. Why would he leave after a positive first season? My sources say Motta is available ๐