Ruccardo Calafiori has been identified as Fode Ballo-Toure’s successor and talks are ongoing between AC Milan and Basel. However, the two clubs are currently not on the same page, a report claims.
Earlier today, Sky Italia reported that Milan had reached an agreement in principle with Basel for the loan of Calafiori. However, the article has now been updated by the outlet and states that the Swiss side aren’t keen on a loan.
They either want the formula to be a loan with an obligation to buy or an outright purchase which Milan, in turn, aren’t keen on. The Rossoneri eventually want to promote Davide Bartesaghi of the Primavera and thus don’t have Calafiori in their long-term plans.
The parties will likely be able to find a middle ground but the situation is more complicated than Sky Italia initially let on. Of course, the departure of Ballo-Toure (who seems to be close to Werder Bremen) must materialise first as well.
Then why not… and hear me out on this, keep ballo, develop Davide for a year and let ballo go next season
I hear you but Ballo is not really making a difference in the absence of Theo. He never convinced the management
For the squad composition rules in the Serie A and the Champions League, having an association trained Italian in this spot makes a lot more sense than Ballo Toure ever did.
He doesnt have impact when he is playing and he is not Italian… Why would they hear you when you dont even know what they are thinking…
Then sign Mazzocchi. He can play both flanks quite well and can fill in.
Mazzocchi is better than any of our right back options and, as you said, can also play left back. He’s a brilliant player.
Um, he’s quite good. Not sure I’d go as far as calling him brilliant. Still, it would be a great time in his career to move up.
nope better sign Singo hes much better than mazzochi . and just give 5-7m that basel wants its not much
No and no. Singo is a RWB. Mazzocchi is more versatile and costs less. We have other priorities.
This is weird. If Bartesaghi impressed Pioli during the US tour, and is deemed ready in 6 months, why not promote both him and Simic to the first team now? Is Calafiori that much better? Bartesaghi also counts as home grown player so that still takes care of that problem?
Also its good to signal to talented players everywhere that if you do well in the primavera team there is a real chance to take that path to the first team. That will help with signing talents in the future.
Sign Calafiori. Bartesaghi can play both CB and LB – its great to several young talented Italian options.
Ideally, I would love to see Bartesaghi and Simic to follow the trajectory of how Scalvini of Atalanta was gradually introduced by Gasp.
Scalvini was still playing at Primavera before he turns 18, but gaining a few minutes here and there as a sub. Towards the end of 21/22 season (after he hits 18 in Dec 2021), he’s gaining more and more minutes and some as a starter too, managing a full 90minutes game in some cases. In the following season 22/23, he’s virtually undroppable. His value also improved gradually, from 2 -> 10 -> 20 -> ~40M now. I think this is a good path to follow, if the player is talented and can seize the moment.
However, the pressure at Atalanta wouldn’t be as severe as in Milan and so is the competition. But, if these 2 youngsters could prove themselves, coupled with Thiaw and Kalulu; we probably wouldn’t have to look for much reinforcements in defence for the next decade.
Therefore I am more inclined to just keep Bartesaghi as reserve for Theo, whilst still making him play in Primavera, considering Theo is virtually undroppable now anyway, and the only time he needed to be benched would be due to suspensions or injuries. Of course, this is somewhat a risky gamble if suddenly Theo get a lengthy injury (knocks on wood).
Just pay the 3 million as an obligation for 20 appearances or something,in case calafiori turns out good. He was highly regarded at Roma but suffered an almost career ending injury and fought back