AC Milan were very active in the winter mercato, leading many to feel excited about the chances of a good second half of the season. However, this has not been the case.
Making big signings in January is always risky, especially in a season like Milan’s. If the incomings hit the ground running, it can save a season. However, if they are not up to scratch, then fans will criticise the timing of moves.
Of course, we know that the latter is more the case here.
Santiago Gimenez, despite a bright opening period, has trailed off a little, and whilst there are no fears about him in the long-term, there are definitely questions about the decision to spend big on a striker in January, rather than in the summer.
Today, speaking to Radio 24, Xavier Jacobelli has offered his own review on the mercato and why the expectations were so high for the Rossoneri after their recruitment, via Milan News.
“In light of the winter strengthening campaign, Milan fans were expecting a very different performance, even after the lightning victory in the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. The subsequent results and the burning disappointment in the Champions League are the basis of the fans‘ disappointment: but the season is still to be lived to the full.”
Then I said that they should have taken Fagioli instead of Sotil. Then I was attacked here by those who were shaken by the euphoria. Milan was left without a midfield and we paid for it in January and February.
This very site rated the transfer window as great and most of the signings individually as very good or better based on their own rating systems
Like you, when I point out that I’ve seen this movie before…shiny toys for the fans and some media alike to get hyped over…I got called doom and gloom and being negative. Instead of saying for like the umpteenth time that hey maybe u might be right. . All i saw was a change in personnel with perhaps right back being the most “upgraded” position….but even that it didn’t even make sense to send Calabria, a free homegrown spot, away.
The folks around here don’t care for actual critical thinking in a neutral way. A new signing does it automatically make the team better but that’s the way things are thought of these days. New players make ppl think all the previous problems are fixed and it simply doesn’t work that way. There’s a massive difference between being negative and being realistic.
Only Gerry’s foot soldiers celebrated the winter signings. Most called it a bust sense we didn’t get Ricci or someone with a similar skill set. Joao is a traveling circus and Santi doesn’t even start for his national team. The jury is out on Bondo and I don’t like Walker all that much. He is a decent defender but is about as useful as Musah in attack. When we sign players we needed to make sure they are actually better than the player we currently own. I can see it now, we sell Leao and replace him with 2 or 3 players that are unknown or have some potential. The probably those players end up as Pulisic are low and the probably of a Chukwueze or Okafor are high. I am sure you know this and nothing will change until the squad valuation drops even lower. Just think we will probably sign Motta after Juve fires him and we will get more of the same because Juve looks just like us.
Yep. And to add to your points, I don’t get how we can call it succesful if we haven’t addressed the midfield issue. As long as we haven’t signed a DM (Ricci as suggested for instance) any transfer window imo cannot be called successful. All we did were swaps with, once again, hope they turn out like Pulisic. But clearly over the last few years those occurences are rare / not the norm….at least not with this management/ scout
Yes, because you are suggesting Fagioli, the guy that ratted out on his Italy teammates to get himself out of punishment. I wouldn’t want that kind of scum anywhere near Milan.
🤦
Instead of Felix, they should have had a deal with Chelsea for Casadei.
Now Roma is also ahead
Felix being mediocre was not a surprise. How much Walker’s play has dropped off was a surprise. Beaten one on one regularly and while he was never very good making crosses, now he is terrible.
I know.
When will Milan sign a full back that never, ever, ever, ever gets beaten.
I mean that’s got to be the minimum standard.
And until they find a FB who is never, ever, ever beaten they’re just going to have to keep signing new ones.
Maybe 2 in the summer, one in January for the next 10 years.
They’ll find one eventually.
Just you wait.
5 signings in a JANUARY window.
And that’s reported as being totally normal.
Milan fans? I was not among them. This was crisis management, and a poor one at that – the blind leading the blind.
I want to assure you all here that the players were not Milan’s problem. The issues Milan faced originated from the management, starting from the coaches up to the leadership. The players are decent, but we need a decent coach like Gian Piero Gasperini, who knows the league well and has proven himself on the bigger stage (UCL) as well. I believe Milan will do well with such a coach. Thank you! Forza Milan! Sempre Milan!