Wild cards up Amorim’s sleeve: Seven players who could occupy multiple in the 3-4-2-1

Ruben Amorim has one friendly remaining to draw final conclusions regarding his AC Milan squad, with new ideas emerging all the time.

As we have analysed at length before, Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system is one with quite specific instructions for each of the positions. From wing-back to double pivot, centre-back to attacking midfield, every role has a set of requirements.

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What is immensely helpful over the course of a season with 50+ games is when players are able to fill more than one position and to do it well. This versatility is something virtually every coach looks upon fondly, and Amorim is no exception in this regard.

So, who are the contenders to potentially play multiple roles under the Portuguese coach? There are some obvious candidates that stand out, also because we have already seen some experimentation in this regard.

Adrien Rabiot

The inspiration for this article came from a report that La Gazzetta dello Sport put out on Tuesday, in which they claimed that Amorim is considering using Rabiot further forward, as an attacking midfielder.

The role he played last season under Massimiliano Allegri was box-to-box, so it was presumed he would do the same this season in the double pivot, and he still might. However, the notion of Rabiot as an attacking midfielder actually makes some sense.

Firstly, it is the position he often occupied under Roberto De Zerbi at Marseille, so he is no stranger to it. Secondly, it would free the Frenchman to get forward, help the press and make use of his devastating shot. Thirdly, it would free a spot for Ardon Jashari to slot in alongside Modric. Food for thought.

Davide Bartesaghi

On paper, Bartesaghi feels like a lock for the left wing-back position at the moment, and that is probably true. He is well ahead of the surplus-to-requirements Pervis Estupinan, and it is effectively the role he performed under Allegri.

Meanwhile, a bit further back, Milan signed Sankhoun Diawara from Troyes to apparently be the new deputy to Strahinja Pavlovic. Yet, this deserves a bit of further inspection. The 20-year-old has half a season as a starer in Ligue 2 last season (admittedly at an impressive level) under his belt.

Settling into a new city in a new country plus a new league at a new level will be difficult for Diawara. So, don’t be surprised if Bartesaghi ends up filling in at LCB when Pavlovic needs a rest or is out. After all, he is confident playing out from the back on the ball and has the build for the role.

Yunus Musah

Hear us out a second: this is not necessarily what we want to happen, but more so following a train of thought to try and arrive at what we expect is going to happen, which is that Musah remains at the club.

Several sources have claimed that Amorim is an admirer of the flexibility that Musah brings, given that he can play both as a central midfielder and as a wing-back. He has been used more in the middle in preseason so far, but can definitely fill in on the flanks too.

There are a lot of games and a lot of minutes to go around. If Zachary Athekame leaves, there is Alexis Saelemaekers and potentially Samuel Chukwueze (more on him to come) for the right side, and there are question marks about both. So, Amorim using Musah there – perhaps in the Coppa Italia or Europa League – is not to be excluded.

Samuel Chukwueze

Speaking of Chukwueze, the role of the Nigerian has been the subject of a lot of debate in the past few weeks, from the moment it first emerged that the new manager was considering trying to mould him into a wing-back.

It is an experiment the former Sporting CP and Manchester United boss has already had positive results with, namely with Quenda, Catamo and Diallo. After good signs against Celtic, the Inter (mistake for Dimarco’s goal) and Chelsea games showed it will not be an easy transition.

Simply put, we believe there are times where Chukwueze will be better used as a left-footed attacking midfielder on the right, with license to cut in and create, worrying less about tracking back. Then, there are situations (chasing a game, in need of a goal) where having him as a wing-back boosts the attacking threat and quality of service. Horses for courses.

Alexis Saelemaekers

Saelemaekers has also already been mentioned, and he is perhaps the player on this list that has the greatest propensity to play multiple different positions.

Given his work rate, technical ability and the fact he is very comfortable with both feet, the Belgian can realistically play as either a right or a left wing-back in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1. He is capable in both phases, as seen under Allegri last season, even if his minutes must be managed better.

Not only that, but the former Bologna and Roma loanee can also play a bit further up field in our eyes, behind the striker. Saelemaekers excels more in tight spaces than with open field to run into, so he could look right at home in one of the attacking midfield spots if there are injuries or a need to rotate.

Christopher Nkunku

Remaining in the attacking midfield area, a new lease of life will also be sought for Nkunku. He has played as a winger, striker, second striker and attacking midfielder in his career, and now will look to rediscover that RB Leipzig form.

On paper, it seems as though Nkunku will be battling with Christian Pulisic for that left-sided playmaker position. Should Amorim want to play both though, the Frenchman could swap over to the right side, or could even rotate positions with Pulisic during games.

As a ‘break glass in case of emergency’ solution, Nkunku can also play up front too. It is different to how Goncalo Ramos or Francesco Camarda would operate, but he led the line at times last season and his movements off the last shoulder can be a real asset to open up space.

Koni De Winter

Finally, we come to perhaps the biggest unknown quantity of the current centre-back options. De Winter had a rough start to life at Milan, then a fantastic run of games covering for Matteo Gabbia and Strahinja Pavlovic injuries, before struggling to end the campaign as so many others did.

Going into 2026-27, our gut feeling is that De Winter is exactly what Amorim will look to from his centre-backs. He is very competent in the build-up phase, he isn’t lightning fast but can deal with the high line, and is aerially competent.

Right now, he is probably ahead of Gabbia in terms of ticking boxes for the middle CB spot. However, we also expect the Belgian to get games on the right side of the three, perhaps even on the left too depending on injuries and/or suspensions. As a defender who does various things well when confident, there should be chances for De Winter to shine.