It is, for many, a chance for AC Milan to invest this month. However, questions can be asked whether it is actually needed.
After tonight’s games, whatever happens, Milan will sit second in the Serie A standings. Regardless of the team, that is a fantastic achievement, and yes, it could be strengthened with investment, but would it be bettered?
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Allegri’s craft
Strengthening and bettering a team are different, and last January showed that a bigger team does not always mean a better squad. So, with most people questioning why the Rossoneri aren’t making moves, Gazzetta dello Sport have looked at why they might be making the right move: to not make any.
The squad does not need another rework, after all, they have 11 more points than last year, and their results have been rather solid as a whole. So, there is no need to rush into the mercato.
Of course, the upcoming fixture list is scary, and whilst there are certainly places that could be bettered, Massimiliano Allegri is a master at ‘transforming emergency into resource’. Look at Davide Bartesaghi’s performance in the defence this weekend, for example.
Then, it must be considered that this is a close-knit squad already, and that has perhaps been the best thing to emerge from the summer. They ‘may not be spectacular’, as Gazzetta suggests, but they are a solid team that is capable of working beyond the sum of their parts.
Adding players this month risks over-inflating the squad, and whilst additions could be nice, why tempt fate? Ultimately, Milan do not need to add players this month, so if they do, they will only arrive on the right conditions, financially and for the team.
We should sign 1 central defender as supplemental.
Why are we all focused on CB? De Winter is a good enough deputy (even starting to be a good one). I’d say we need a reliable deputy for Saelemaekers and Bartesaghi. Especially Saele. If he picks up an injury (god forbid), the total level of the squad will drop significantly.
We play a system with 3 CBs, and we only have 4 + Odogu, that’s very few.
Technically we need a CB, a RWB to be a deputy for Saelemakers and a striker if Nkunku leaves.
Odugu AND Bartesaghi. But when he plays as a CB Perv will need to be put on the wingback role and no one wants to see that.
Don’t even think about Nkunku leaving.
Bare minimum we need a CB who can fill in as an emergency fullback (left or right, but preferably right).
Just one additional playable player in defense that won’t drop the overall defensive level when we rotate.
We have 21 games left this season, over 5 months.
The rush of (4) games between Jan 8th to Jan 18th aside, that almost averages into 3-4 games a month.
We don’t need to add 3 to 4 players to rotate.
GdS is notorious for having in their staff a bunch of juventini and interisti and their goal has always been to stir controversy and weaken Milan.
OBVIOUSLY we do need to strengthen our depth in order to REMAIN on top, in a very competitive and long tournament like Serie A. If we add another center back and a deputy for Alexis (and maybe we try to offload Estupinan and get a better deputy for Bartesaghi), this will not result in a bloated squad. Nobody wants to go back to the bloated roster with 35 players that we once had. But also, nobody should want to have the shortest Serie A roster among all 20 teams.
The way our roster is, an injury or suspension crisis can derail us and make us drop points, which the GdS staff would be delighted about. Always doubt GdS’s true motives when they talk about Milan.
To Matijs: regardless of De Winter’s form, it’s unwise to have only one deputy for the center back position if you play with 3 CBs. Look at Inter: they have six, for these 3 positions. We need another one (and no, Odogu is not it; he’s more fit for Futuro, for now; too green; he’s had a grand total of 3 professional games when he came to Milan).
We do need some signings just to help Allegri even more no need for big move but opportunities and project players.
2 or at least 1 CB
1 CM/CDM/CAM
1 or 2 more attackers at least one more except Fulkrug
I would say for this winter we will get maximum 1 CB. But for the summer, you are right, we need a substitute for Saelemaekers, I think Athekame is more of a sub for Tomori, also an extra midfielder would be great because Modric is not getting any younger. And of course, a starting striker
Milan pagou 40 milhões em Nkunku
O city pagou os mesmo em cherki a um tempo atrás
O Milan precisa de um 10 nato um criador de jogadas um cara que saiba dar passes em profundidade o Milan tá com muito carregadores de bolas no meio campo os únicos lúcidos que saibam dar passe e rabiot e modric
I would say we need a CB – and a striker, but only if Nkunku leaves.
For CB we have six players: Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic, De Winter, Odogu and apparently also Bartesaghi. We are a bit short on wingbacks, but if Saelemaekers and Athekame would be out at the same time, then De Winter could be deployed as a right back.
If a CB comes then Odogu could and should be sent to Futuro to get regular playing time.
Midfield is good with 6 players: Modric, Rabiot, Fofana, RLC, Ricci and Jashari. In a real emergency Pulisic could play an odd game in AM position.
In attack there are four players for two spots: Leao, Pulisic, Nkunku and Füllkrug. If Nkunku is sold then we need to add another number 9.
Listen guys, we have had quite a lot of simultaneous injuries but I think that is not usual and it will pass. On paper we are fine.