Paolo Maldini has already made AC Milan’s stance for the January transfer window clear and his words should be taken at face value, according to a report.
Anto Vitiello writes in his latest column for MilanNews that many are calling for intervention in the market to try and fix some of the current issues that have shown themselves, but the club’s line is all too clear.
Not even a week ago Paolo Maldini said it on TV without leaving any doubts, and what the technical director said does not seem to be a bluff. Milan won’t buy anyone in January (aside from Devis Vasquez, who had already arrived) and the management believe the team is already competitive as it is.
Milan have embraced the line of sustainability and will continue like this, which is a ‘legitimate choice’ given other clubs are in financial crisis and have to jump through hoops to avoid bankruptcy.
However, whether it’s a matter of choices made in the 2022 summer window or the fact that the budget was not high, something more could have been done.
“management believe the team is already competitive as it is.”
Sad. Delusional.
Something we agree on @bb! For all those that defended Redbird in summer saying they could not properly spend because they were in the midst of a purchase – well what is the excuse now? Nobody is saying to spend 100M but a few reasonable winter signings/loans (like Aouar) considering the current failure of the summer signings to consistently contribute should be a must IF Redbird are serious of defending our title. Seems they think recovering our injured players and hoping our young summer signing finally start contributing is the path forward. Risky and no indications thus far it will work out. Shameful if this is the case.
I see your point of view, part of me kinda wish we have reinforcements too. However, who is this right profile who could come at the right price and could possibly improve/bring quality to the team, and he is willing and available to join us?
If not spending now means we will be working on a more permanent solution in the summer, then I’m all for it.
As for now, let’s dissect our backbone:
GK: Maignan just need a decent backup if he keeps on missing games, hence Sportiello is rumoured to come next season.
Calabria-Tomori/Gabbia-Kalulu/Kjaer/Thiaw-Theo
Pretty much settled for now, sure the defence is out of sort atm, but I think apart from Theo’s backup, we’re pretty much set and most of these guys have just extended their contracts. If we’re to buy one defender, he needs to be GREAT in the air, and someone who can bench Tomori/Kalulu/Kjaer, not to be the third pick.
Same with double pivot. Tonali and Bennacer just signed extension, I don’t think we’re going to buy someone who shakes up these two. Both would probably be our main guy for at least 2 seasons.
LW: Leao. Unnecessary to buy a LW if Leao is extending. He hasn’t, but that doesn’t mean we need to buy his replacement now, at least not in January.
RW: Messias/Saele, possibly the position we could do much better. However IMHO, if we can’t get Ziyech on loan for January, we need to focus on long term solution as Ziyech would be on his 30s next season. If Redbird doesn’t address this slot on the upcoming windows, I’ll be with you guys with torches and pike lol.
#10: Currently we have inconsistent Diaz, underwhelming CDK and untrusted Adli. I doubt we’ll be getting reinforcement on this area this January or June for that matter. Unless Diaz went back to Madrid, but then if the penny finally drops for CDK, this position would be secure for a long time.
and finally FW:
This is where all the resources should be focused on, unless of course, Colombo would be given the nod next season (to save money lol).
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So, while reinforcement would be nice, but it’s hard to find the right profile, especially on January and it’s even harder when we’re umm broke lol.
I heard about Inter and Barca is going to swap Kessie and Brozovic. Look, I am disappointed in Kessie like most of you guys here, but idk, if we can loan him for 6 months, he’d actually be the guy who fits the profile and already knows Pioli’s system.
My apologies for the long post.
As long as Kjaer stays fit until June and Theo doesn’t get injured, defense should be OK.
Benny & Tonali are OK for now, BUT(!!!)… I’m not sure they’re good enough for Milan to be competing in the UCL. At least they both should have way better backups than now.
The main issue is the lack of creativity. The squad needs two players who have the vision to unlock any defense. Whether they play on the RW, trequartista or even CM is irrelevant as those players are lacking – and it shows.
I’d put my money on Aouar but unfortunately we already have way too many #10s and Benny & Tonali are “untouchable” so M&M won’t be buying him now.
As long as the creative players are lacking it doesn’t matter whether Giroud is the main man in attack or a backup. No one would conjure the scoring chances out of thin air. Although if something were to happen to Giroud we’d be totally screwed as Origi/Lazetic duo has hit the target just once and Rebic & Z have injury issues.
So… 1-2 creative players now, please. Maybe then we can enjoy UCL next season as well.