GdS: The players Allegri would build around at Milan and who would be at risk

AC Milan are thinking about making Massimiliano Allegri their next head coach, but a report has questioned how much he can actually build around.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) reports this morning, the Milan leadership – while waiting for the addition of a new sporting director – are thinking about bringing Allegri back to the club 12 years after he departed. He is even the ‘number one candidate’.

While the team currently might not be a perfect fit for Allegri, with a limited number of changes to the squad it can be. After all, the big transfer campaigns that took place in the Gerry Cardinale era brought players he would happily use.

Some examples? Christian Pulisic has shown himself to be a complete player, who in the 4-2-3-1 can occupy all three roles behind the centre forward, and who is capable of scoring and providing assists.

It’s easy to imagine that he would remain a fixed point for Milan just like Tijjani Reijnders, a midfielder with good feet like Miralem Pjanic who Allegri had with the Old Lady. Youssouf Fofana’s work rate and physicality would also be of use.

In defence, Kyle Walker would become irreplaceable, a winner and a leader of those he loves (his permanent signing from Manchester City is a given), and Strahinja Pavlovic could be very useful as well with his aggressiveness.

For the centre-forward role, trust in Santiago Gimenez would remain as he has the characteristics of a penalty area striker, which Max wants. Granted, the Mexican must demonstrate that he is ready for Serie A after his excellent numbers in Holland his positive start.

Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia, Warren Bondo and Malick Thiaw could easily be part of Allegri’s new Milan, even if the feeling is that a new central defender would arrive. Alex Jimenez and Francesco Camarda could get more playing time too.

Two of the main issues to be resolved are related to Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao. Theo’s exit, without a renewal, is a given regardless of Allegri’s opinion. After a season like the current one, it is difficult to imagine the Frenchman staying.

The situation is more fluid for Leao, who could be very appealing to Max due to his athleticism, acceleration and dribbling. He too would have to live with the Portuguese’s questionable defensive work rate, but he has coached players like Cristiano Ronaldo so would take on the challenge.

Mike Maignan is also in doubt, having made many mistakes so far this season, but he has the kind of character and personality that Allegri might like. The final question: will an agreement be found with Roma to make the exchange with Alexis Saelemaekers permanent? He would appeal to the Italian.

What might the transfer window look like? Allegri is likely to want a new starting left-back if Theo leaves, another central midfielder with more physicality and also another striker to rotate with Gimenez.