AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli has suggested that the midfield department is now ‘complete’ after the two signings that have arrived.
Pioli spoke during an interview with Sky that was released this morning just before the team depart for America and he spoke about a number of topics, with the full comments available here.
Among the topics raised was how the midfield will look for next season given that it is an area that needed rebuilding following the sale of Sandro Tonali to Newcastle United in a club-record deal.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tijjani Reijnders arrived from Chelsea and AZ Alkmaar respectively to give some numerical strength, but there have been suggestions other names could yet arrive too.
“In the midfield department we were looking for new names, new positions and new characteristics. The arrival of Loftus-Cheek and Reijnders complete it. We believe we have embarked on a path of quality players, better ball management and attacking situations,” Pioli said.
“All this to be an even more attacking and dominant team. In the attacking half of the pitch, I would like players capable of making the right choices at the right time, something that wasn’t always successful.”
The statements come amid the news that Milan have not managed to make the desired progress in talks over Yunus Musah with Valencia and are thus taking time to reflect.
i still definitely believe we desperately need one more midfield signing to be safe
I think after trying 4-3-3 Pioli finally convinced that Pobega, and maybe Adli, have some roles in the team next season.
We currently have RLC, Reijnders, Krunic, Pobega, Adli, Bennacer. For 3 position. If we got some injuries we also can revert to 4-2-3-1 with Pulisic and De Ketelaere, also possibly Okafor, in the CAM position so we only need 2 CM/CDM.
If we will get one more CM, be it Musah or Dominguez or other names, I think we will try to offload Adli by loan or transfer. But it’s no longer a priority, so no need to spend big money for next CM. I’d say 15-18m max.
Unpopular opinion: I’ve never got the pobega hate, I usually like him
I also didn’t hate Pobega, but most of the commenter here, or in YouTube, or in live match comments always hate him, comments like ‘Slowbega’…
But last season he certainly looked uncomfortable playing as midfield tandem in 4-2-3-1.
Facts
Yet playing in wrong position with fraction of minutes he was far more useful to the team than CDK & Origi combined. How about that? 😀
Man you actually missed my point – I never hate Pobega.
Imo he is useful as squad player and can improve, but many of us still didn’t rate him. And Pioli too, since he didn’t play Pobega much last season (only 1100s minutes)
And the better he is the better for us and Milan. Since he is Italian and our academy graduate.
“Man you actually missed my point – I never hate Pobega.”
Man you really missed my point. I was actually agreeing with you. 😛
I wouldn’t count Bennacer in this season at all. If the rehab goes well he’d start working with the team in February. That means he’ll start to be useful in late April or May. The season ends in May.
True, but he is still there… And we have some promising primavera midfield players too. Like Zeroli, Cuenca, and Eletu, hope they get some game time next season if they didn’t go on loan.
First we need to complete Okafor and Chukwueze. Then maybe hunt for more defense oriented mid, if Valencia play hard ball for Musah just go get Dominguez.
Musah in Adli out are we are fine in terms of depth
We absolutely need a DM. Bennacer is out almost all of the season and even if we got musah he’s not a dm either. 100% should go for Dominguez.
Please Stefano Pioli our 4-2-3-1 is very important please let’s Lindstrom is important whelther we sign musah or not no problem we one attacking midfield to support pulisic for No 10
You always comment but never read any reply to your comment don’t you?
We most likely will play 4-3-3 next season so spending big for Lindstorm (he certainly won’t come under 20m) for position that is currently have many option, and not even our main position next season isn’t realistic.
please get Dominguez
If they are really backing off Musah and going all out for Chukwueze, that makes me think that maybe the 4-3-3 switch is being a bit overplayed. If they add Chuk but not another midfielder, then it looks to me that their best line-up would still be with a 4-2-3-1. They still have the option to play a 4-3-3 but it wouldn’t be the #1 look.
Adli as mezzala. Interesting. Back up for Reijnder. Pobega back up for RLC. Krunic back up for Bennacer
“Krunic back up for Bennacer”
Krunic cannot be a backup for someone who is out 80% of the whole season. Benny will be back for the last 10 matches – if even that.
Even Saelemaker might be able to play as mezzala
I’ve been wondering since last year if he’d make a good mezzala too. He’s fairly good with the ball at his feet and is quite aggressive but his decision making leaves some to be desired.
Dominguez is a must signing for me. If we have to choose between Musah and Dominguez but we need another midfielder and he is the cheaper and more experienced option.
Lets put all of our minds on Samuel Chuckweze, and let’s get RYAN
GRAVENBERCH from bayern on loan
Valencia put the breaks on Musah supposedly. So that leaves us with Dominguez although Gravenberch would be a significant upgrade.
It’s too bad that Musah hasn’t arrived.
Even though he’s played more as a box to box midfielder, he’s very much the physical sort of midfielder that Pioli is looking for – very strong with ball possession, almost impossible to knock off the ball. He’s only more recently started working on his defensive role, but has a lot of potential in that too since he is generally very strong and technical with his one on one challenges.
Maybe after Origi is sold, there will be more money to give Valencia.
What will happen during Afcon cz it looks like will be left without alot of players