AC Milan’s captain on Sunday night was Theo Hernandez, but his performance was a million miles away from one that a captain should play. As a result of his red card, Paulo Fonseca must do some searching, with no viable alternative readily available.
The mercato has been scrutinised for several reasons, whether it be in attack, defence or midfield. Theo’s red card has only brought that scrutiny back to life, and it comes at a terrible time for Milan.
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Once again, the Frenchman is at the heart of a controversy right as the international break begins, this time earning a red card at the end of the game against Fiorentina whilst wearing the armband, a terrible end to a terrible performance.
Whilst this is bad enough, he has left the Rossoneri in a difficult position, one that was out of his hands. In the summer, there were questions about the lack of a proper deputy, that grew with Alessandro Florenzi’s injury, as Milan News recalls.
However, Zlatan Ibrahimovic claimed that the Frenchman’s deputy was Alex Jimenez, but this was not the case in pre-season with the Spaniard failing to get a look in over Filippo Terracciano.
Now, with a two-game suspension to serve, the question is once again open. There is frustration, or rather worry that this was not identified as an issue, but here we are.




Isn’t this why they bought the wunderkid Royal? Can play anywhere in defense, poorly.
what a well thought out and well built squad. oh wait..
This is not new, how many years has it been like that? I don’t understand how they couldn’t find an experienced player to cover, at least that.
Oh they could find him, he was called Spinazzola and was available for free in summer. Napoli took him, and Napoli are great squad builders
sabotage is a French word
So is Moncada. And “au revoir”. That’s two actually but who gives a f*** as long as he’s gone.
It’s a comedy of errors. We have man-child Captain Theo who steals a penalty and then gets himself sent off, and no proper back up….because we’ve never had a proper backup for Theo. At this point let Bartesaghi play in his natural position. Can’t be worse than playing Jimenez. We’ll be playing two games with Bartesaghi/Jimenez at LB and Royal at RB. Oof.
I think it is the perfect scenario to play Pavlovic at LB
He has played on the left of a back 3, he has pace and likes to break forward, most importantly he is left footed.
It would also give him game time in a position where positional awareness is less important than CB. He would get some confidence back.
Whats more it would help solidify a very leaky defense.
I’m happy to see young Bartesaghi also, just think we need to get Pavlovic motoring.
Gvardiol and Calafiori have done well in same situation.
Put Thiaw in beside Gabbia, he also needs to play.
After that I would be happy to see Jimenez at RB (mainly because I never want to see Emerson again). With 3 centre half’s beside him we have ample cover.
Basically it is the system we should be using if we had Kalulu, just reversed with Theo given license to roam and the other 3 being more defensive.
#bringKaluluhome
I like the Pavlovic at LB idea, and I hadn’t thought of it at all, but I think also playing Thiaw next to Gabbia and then also Jimenez is too much change for a defense that is obviously still the Achilles Heel of this squad. 3/4 of the defense would be “new”. Just play Pavlovic-Tomori-Gabbia-Royal.
Yeah your’e probably right about the starting lineup.
I just think Tomori is in trouble now and Emerson is not good enough to persevere with, Jimenez at least could improve and learn.
Think we need to be creative and get those hungry players on the pitch.
I’d rather see us lose but look like building something than fumbling around like now
So let me get this straight.
We got a RB for 15M€ who on top of taking a foreigner’s place is perhaps our worst RB (aside from Terraciano), we gifted one of our RB/CBs to juventus but didn’t bother looking for a replacement for our left back, am I right ?
Yep it’s weird this clubs obsession with RBs yet we only ever have 1 LB
Yep. That sums up our summer mercato nicely. Kudos to Moncada.
Surely Terracciano has to be LB in the upcoming serie a games.
If we can’t play Terracciano at this point then why is he at the club?
Loan him if you are not going to even play him when Theo is suspended.
By the January transfer window Theo will want out with some others if Fonseca is still here, ONE or the other will be gone.
And yet the clown wanted 17mil for royal…
Moncada and Ibra’s recruitement masterclass. Waste 15 millions on proven garbage player where you’re already more than covered while leaving out the other flank where we’re lacking for seasons now.
They could get an experienced left back for free if they wanted but unfortunately for Moncada, he only has Serie A experience and no Ligue 1 so he didn’t fit the bill.
“No real alternative”
And whose fault is that??? Sack Moncada already.
Theo’s suspension is unpredictable, but we have Jimenez and Terraciano as solid cover. So I don’t understand why anyone would jump to conclusions and throw the entire Mercato into question over this.