AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli is effectively waiting to learn who will replace Franck Kessie in view of next season, but in the meantime he is adapting his approach.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports how a few months ago the idea of dropping Kessie seemed unthinkable because the Ivorian’s contribution to Milan’s tactical approach was too important, and he was capable of monstrous, dominant performances at the base of the midfield.
However, today things are different because the hierarchies in the Rossoneri midfield have changed, while his farewell in the summer is also now obvious. Kessie started on the bench against Sampdoria and is fighting for a place with Ismael Bennacer and/or Brahim Diaz for the game against Salernitana.
Pioli will not refuse to use Kessie between now and the end of the season, firstly because it would be self-inflicted damage not to utilise an asset that is still costing the club money and above all because it is not in the style of the coach nor the club, as seen in the Donnarumma and Calhanoglu cases because they were used until the last round to earn a Champions League return.
Now, Pioli has made a double role for Kessie, advancing him to the position of attacking midfielder when the characteristics of the opponent dictates so, and in turn teaching the rest of the players to be more independent from him.
While Pioli adapts now, the management are thinking of the midfield of the future without Kessie. Signing Yacine Adli was a big coup and he will arrive in the summer when his loan at Bordeaux ends, while Renato Sanches is the man the club really want to replace the Ivorian, but Plan B could be Jordan Veretout of Roma.
Using him when necessary, but not crucial to the project. And renewing Bennacer and Tonali (next)
Send a good message to Kessie and his agent.