AC Milan are pushing to try and win the Scudetto and earn a second star above their crest, with a number of former players backing them to battle all the way for the title.
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After the uncertainties of June following the farewells of Paolo Maldini and Sandro Tonali and the skepticism around the ownership, RedBird Capital have operated on the market in an authoritarive way.
They have delivered a renewed team to Stefano Pioli. While waiting for the first verdicts on the pitch, it is worth pointing out that the head coach has a deeper squad at his disposal with more depth across the field.
La Gazzetta dello Sport have spoken to a number of former Milan players about the mercato that the team have had so far and what the ambitions should be for 2023-24.
Alberico Evani: “After Maldini’s farewell, we thought of a savings market and instead, ‘sacrificed’ Tonali, targeted, functional purchases were made: Milan strengthened itself with fairly young and quality players, I am thinking of Okafor.
“It will take time to insert them but the quality is there and Pioli now has many alternatives. Napoli, Juve, Inter and Milan: the Scudetto is a matter between these teams.”
Mauro Tassotti: “The signings are of very good quality. I am thinking of Reijnders, who has great ease in reading the game, and Pulisic, who already knew each other, or Chukwueze and Okafor.
“If they recover the defensive solidity of the Scudetto, the Rossoneri will play against Napoli and Inter. There are no perfect teams: the Azzurri have changed coaches, Inzaghi has lost Lukaku and Dzeko…”
Giovanni Galli: “Intriguing market: players with a decent curriculum have arrived but who have everything to prove. Chukwueze can be the crack of the championship, he’s a faster Robben: he has technique, shooting and dribbling.
“Together with Atalanta and Fiorentina, Milan are the ones that have moved better. For the Scudetto, I’ll see who has changed the least later on, so if Napoli keep Osimhen… I’ll put Milan behind the Azzurri.”
Jose Altafini: “I followed the Rossoneri’s friendlies and I was impressed by the quality of the new arrivals, especially Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek and Reijnders. I think the Dutchman will succeed in not making Tonali feel missed.
“Milan have changed a lot on the transfer market, maybe they will need a little running-in, but Pioli has a great choice in attack: I am convinced they will do great things.”
Giovanni Stroppa: “The farewells of Maldini and Tonali surprised me. But then Milan moved, having sold a boy who could have become a bandiera, he immediately reinvested for profiles that can improve the team.
“I really like Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek and Okafor, all very fast. Pioli has more options and will be able to have fun: the Scudetto will be battled for with Juventus, Napoli and Inter.”
Filippo Galli: “For the Dcudetto I still see Napoli ahead of everyone, but Milan are certainly among the teams that will play for the title, on a par with Inter and Juve, who are strong but not yet complete.
“I see that the club has moved well on the market, going to reinforce the squad where there was more urgency to intervene. I like the signings, above all Pulisic and Reijnders, waiting to see the best Chukwueze: he and Leao on the wings can be devastating.”
Antonio Nocerino: “This Milan is worthy of the Scudetto. For me they could play and do well in the Premier League too, because he has players suited to that pace. Pioli has built a very aggressive team, he impressed me.
“Unknowns? I don’t see any, Milan has strengthened itself with players of international level and the transfer market was based on the coach’s game ideas. In Serie A, the Rossoneri are second to none.”
Stefano Eranio: “Pioli has a Scudetto-worthy team in his hands, right now Milan is the one that has strengthened the most and better.
“Reijnders already seems like a veteran to me, and watch out for Chukwueze, he dribbles and goes very fast: he has the exuberance of young talents, maybe he’ll be forgiven for a few empty nights as happened with Leao, but with the Nigerian Pioli he has much more quality in attack.”
Luca Antonini: “Milan are a well-made team and will have their say in the fight for the Scudetto. I tell the fans not to be frightened by the so-so results of friendlies: they don’t count for anything.
“Perhaps the Rossoneri will struggle a bit at first, but then they’ll put on a show: with people like Reijnders, who has an incredible personality, and Chukwueze, who is as quick as few others, it will be fun. And if a central defender arrives…”
