Journalist Franco Ordine has claimed that keeping the current squad healthy for a long stretch of time would be more important to AC Milan than any players that might arrive this month.
The issue of having too many injury problems has persisted for the Rossoneri and the numbers since 1 July this year are staggering. In that five month stretch, Milan have racked up over 700 days of absence with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alessandro Florenzi and Mike Maignan all long-term absentees.
Now that January is upon us, there have been calls from some sections of the fan base to strengthen the squad so as not to risk having a depleted side as happened in 2022, and also to ensure the minimum objective of a top four finish is met.
Franco Ordine wrote his weekly column for MilanNews and he spoke about the winter window and what the priority must actually be for the Rossoneri, given their rotten luck this season.
“It is important that Maldini and Massara answer a question which is the following: without strengthening the current squad, is it possible to keep going until the end of the season at a high level? If their response is not positive, then maybe we’ll have some other deals done on the market,” he said.
“To conclude, the final point for Milan is always the same: putting an end to the disturbing streak of injuries will be more decisive than the market itself. Because it is clear that from January 4 to June, Pioli cannot always play the same players having to face four competitions.”
You mean this streak of injuries that has been going on for 3 seasons now. That’s not a streak, that’s a pattern, and unless they seriously change their staff and the way they train, I don’t see it changing.
They simply can’t play at the intensity required by Piolismo without more rotation. Because we do not have adequate backups in many roles (LB, CM, GK, and across the entire forward line) Pioli is not rotating the players enough. Therefore intervention in the market is a must so we have more players capable of playing at a high level instead of a dozen great players and a dozen mediocre to bad players to rotate them with.
Exactly! The lack of proper rotation is the main problem. And why is that? Because the backup-players aren’t good enough.
We need to hope & pray that Theo stays fit. Just look at the alternatives…
First the injuries are not “disturbing”. In the case of someone Ibra’a age they’re inevitable. I don’t really consider Ibra to be a player anymore. He’s more of an inspiration. If he does play it’s a bonus.
The others are a little different but Florenzi and Origi have struggled for injuries over the years and neither are starters.
Maignan is the main concern. It’s a bit random having calf injuries given he’s a keeper. It can’t exactly be blamed on our pressing game or lack of rotation!
Second we have a massive squad already with 2-3 players per position. What’s the point in having these squad players if we don’t trust them when players get injured?
Third didn’t Milan literally just win the title with this approach???
We all need to relax. I don’t want to see any more signings this month. Wait until the summer and sign a next level player on the right. It’s time we focus on 1 x 100m v 10 x 10m.
One way to fix the injury problem is not to sign players who have been notoriously injury prone.
Florenzi, Origi injury prone prior to coming to Milan.
Kjaer was always a decent CB, but the issue throughout his career has always been injuries.
Also, I don’t know why we are even counting Zlatan. Guy isn’t even at Milanello
When it comes to Rebic, since he had that freak elbow injury, he has not been the same player on the field, and he is mostly injured than fit to play. Every week, there is something wrong with him
Wow this Franco Ordine is a genius. I would have never thought having your best payers healthy would be a good thing 🤣🤣