After Sunday night’s defeat against Torino that ended a run of four league wins in a row, question marks have again been raised about the summer mercato.
Calciomercato.com begin a report looking back at the summer arrivals by admitting that new signings need time to adjust and adapt to a team with big aspirations, but given a third of the season is already behind us there are very little in the way of positives from the acquisitions.
No reinforcement signed by Maldini and Massara has made the difference so far and none have allowed Milan to make the leap in quality which is necessary to challenge for the title but also reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Charles De Ketelaere was the most expensive signing and he has made 15 appearances between Serie A and the Champions League, with 751 minutes played, 1 assist and no goals. His compatriot Divock Origi – who arrived on a free – has 1 goal and 1 assist in 336 minutes spread over 11 appearances.
Aster Vranckx arrived from Wolfsburg on a loan for €2m with an option to buy set at €12m, but he has so far amassed just 30 minutes across the league games against Sampdoria, Juventus and Monza, with Tommaso Pobega above him in the pecking order.
Sergino Dest landed in Milan from Barcelona on loan with a €20m option to buy. The USA full-back has 339 minutes of action and is more remembered for his errors so far rather than his attacking production.
Yacine Adli has 114 minutes after cameos against Bologna, Sassuolo, Napoli and Hellas Verona, while finally Malick Thiaw was deployed only in the final minutes of the win over Hellas Verona.
Despite the injuries and the busy schedule, Milan boss Stefano Pioli is making little use of the ‘depth’ of the squad, which is a worry given the rotations that are needed to keep up with a demanding season.
