AC Milan’s summer transfer plans will be heavily influenced by the fairly hidden duo of Geoffrey Moncada and Hendrik Almstadt, it is claimed.
Not much is known about the Rossoneri’s plans for the coming months, with widespread speculation suggesting that Ralf Rangnick is set to arrive in a dual role as both head coach and the man in charge of recruitment.
It is expected that the German will bring with him his philosophy of scouting young players with potential and unlocking that using a tactical identity that continues to be pioneered around European football.
La Repubblica journalist Luca Pagni has given an update on the current happenings at Milan with regards to potential signings, with his words transcribed by MilanNews.
“At the end of the negotiations with the agents is Ricky Massara. And if it remains convince the player, Paolo Maldini will take care of it. Ivan Gazidis, in close contact with Elliott’s top management in London,” he said.
“But there are two others who guide the choices, identify possible talents and prepare the dossiers of the players who respond to the directives of the American fund (quality young players to be identified before they emerge): Geoffrey Moncada and Hendrik Almstadt.”
Not much is known about Moncada and Almstadt apart from that they were both brought in by Elliott Management, with the latter in particular being labelled by many media outlets as Gazidis’ right-hand man.
Pagni explains: “The first is the chief scout and works with televisions connected with the major European leagues, watching hundreds of matches. The other is a sort of sporting director 4.0, in the sense that he works with algorithms and data analysis systems by elaborating the list of players that Moncada passes to him once the list of possible ‘talents’ is skimmed.
“In other words, the former seeks quality, the latter ensures – through a series of parameters, statistics and continuity of performance – that they are of a high level. Especially if parameterised at an affordable price.
“At the end of the double skimming, the dossier with the few names left passes to the managers for the final negotiation.”
Pagni’s words make it seem as though the head coach is not particularly involved in the recruitment process, but he assured otherwise.
“But in all this does the coach count? Of course yes. The bulletin is ready to bet that Rangnick has already indicated 2-3 players that he would like with Milan next season. But it is likely that among players whose contract will not be renewed (from Bonaventura to Biglia, up to Ibrahimovic) and possible starters, the turn over will be very strong and there will also be a need for a bench with a minimum of quality.
“For this reason too, many Milan negotiations are known only at the last moment when they are in fact concluded (the latest case being Pierre Kalulu): to prevent an upward auction from starting and the price is no longer worth the level of performance so far obtained.
“This is the risk that the club run with Dominik Szloboszlai: he may not arrive because it is now known to everyone in Europe that he is one of Milan’s first goals, making costs rise. As far as I know, the negotiation is in progress and already started some time ago.”
Pretty good tactic, but what about young world class talent that everyone knows like Tonali was lost to inter of all teams!