The Milan management are beginning to think that relying on Zlatan Ibrahimovic beyond the end of the season may be dangerous given his many physical problems, a report claims.
Calciomercato.com reports how the Swede suffered his most recent injury during the 0-0 draw against Juventus, and it is this latest absence that is causing come concern because the predictions about his return to the field have been proven wrong. Immediately after the game against the Bianconeri, what filtered from the club was that the injury was not worrying, guaranteeing his return in the derby.
Instead, the two weeks since have not been enough for the 40-year-old to shake off his Achilles tendon pain so in addition to missing last night’s Coppa Italia win over Lazio, Ibrahimovic will also miss Sunday’s game against Sampdoria.
There are simply too many signs regarding his recurring injuries which should be proof that Milan cannot think of relying on him for the future. Ibrahimovic has been decisive this season already with 8 goals to his name, but there is also ample proof that the team are capable of winning without him too.
Milan continue to demonstrate that they can win without their core pieces, beating Empoli 4-2 away without Simon Kjaer, winning 3-1 against Roma at San Siro with a decimated squad due to Covid, then 3-0 at Venezia.
The most important sign of all has come in the last two games, with a derby victory against Inter inspired by Olivier Giroud and then a 4-0 rout of Lazio during which the Frenchman starred again. In short, Milan are no longer ‘Ibradependent’ and this may factor into decisions regarding his future.
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as long as he accept salary decrease and we sign a striker like Belloti, I don’t mind extending him. he is still useful in the locker room since Pioli is not a leader type of coach.
I hope for a better one, but Belotti will do if he have no money.
Ibra’s presence and leadership is vital to this team. His salary may is too high but I really hope he and Milan can come to an agreement on some sort of player-coach type of position. Who knows, he could replace Pioli or Maldini someday (when they move on to bigger things after successes, of course!).
I agree. Zlatan has earned enough money already. Extending the contract seems like a no-brainer, but it should no doubt we with a lower salary and bonuses for performance on top.
No, the last thing we need is to undermine Pioli. We can’t have Ibra also being some kind of coach as he obviously won’t just want to be the guy telling kids how to properly hit a ball. Love Ibra, but it’s time to let him go. If he wants to get into management, great, maybe sometime in the future he could be the manager.
Leadership is vital on the field. When Zlatan came back he was the best player, only world star, so naturally he was a leader.
Now? Team plays better when he is not around.
There is always time to end things, this is the time.