CM: Milan not expected to sign a midfielder in January – idea of adapting full-backs emerges

By Oliver Fisher -

It seems that the signing of a new midfielder in January is not a priority for AC Milan so head coach Stefano Pioli may have to get creative, a report claims.

Calciomercato.com reports how the departure of Ismael Bennacer and Franck Kessie for the African Cup of Nations – scheduled from 9 January to 6 February in Cameroon – had led to speculation that a new midfielder could arrive when the window reopens in order to provide a bit of cover.

However, their absences will not change Milan’s transfer plans as the priorities remain a central defender and a winger, but only in the event that Samu Castillejo leaves. There were some tentative enquiries about Yacine Adli’s loan being terminated early, but he will only join in the summer.

To avoid overworking Sandro Tonali and Tiémoué Bakayoko, Pioli will have to make do with what he has but also get creative. Rade Krunic can play in that role but so can Davide Calabria who has just recovered from a muscle problem sustained in mid-November. Then there is Alessandro Florenzi who has also got the capability of playing there, so in short Milan feel they will be ok.


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Tags AC Milan Alessandro Florenzi Davide Calabria Rade Krunic

7 Comments

    1. I think Calabria would be way better, Florenzi so so but yeah, still better than Bakayoko, he looks like they woke me up and sent me to the field a minute after that.

  1. I had forgotten that Calabria had decently played CDM last season. He could do so again in a pinch during AFCON with Florenzi/Kalulu covering RB. Basically we need to make it to February dropping minimal points and we’ll be OK. Unfortunately the AFCON final is Feb 6, which is also derby day, and the matchday before we play Juventus. It’s unlikely that either Bennacer or Kessie will be back by the Juve game, but here’s to hoping they’ll both be out in the quarters/semis and be back for Inter (and that they don’t have to quarantine for too long).

  2. Baka is this years Meite. Both stink, when on the pitch you would think they were playing for the other team. Calabria has been sorely missed, hopefully will not be over played as not to re-injure. As to Florenzi, great game against Empoli, but it was Empoli, we shall see what he brings to the pitch against Roma.

  3. Krunic stops any kind of attack we have by indecision and bad play, Theo advances and if he passes to Krunic there goes any chance, Saelaemakers for him.

  4. Maybe a formation shift. 3-4-3 with Theo and Saelemaekers as the wing backs, Krunic’s work rate and tactical awareness would be adequate and better than yoko as one of the CMs and Calabria could cover, then a top three of Leao, Rebic and Messias

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