AC Milan’s summer transfer window is worthy of a score of 8 out of 10 thanks to the work they were able to do making the squad deeper, a journalist has claimed.
When many were expecting a calm summer after that final game against Hellas Verona, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s surprise retirement was followed by the sacking of Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara.
CEO Giorgio Furlani and chief scout Geoffrey Moncada got to work as the new management, with the club-record sale of Sandro Tonali to Newcastle United being their first big move, drawing the ire of some fans.
Ten summer signings ended up arriving as the money was reinvested in the squad. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Tijjani Reijnders and Christian Pulisic are already starters, while Yunus Musah, Samuel Chukwueze, Noah Okafor and Luka Jovic give genuine depth.
Di Stefano spoke during an interview with Radio Rossonera to recap and reflect on the business that Milan were able to do and the squad that has been left at Pioli’s disposal, starting with a rating.
“A rating of 8! I liked the Milan transfer market. Not only for the men who were purchased, but also for the methods and times. There is one thing that is not obvious, that few people underline, but which in my opinion made the difference: having handed over almost all the available staff to Stefano Pioli by July 20th,” he said.
“This allowed the Milan coach to work continuously for a month on the same project, with the same players, and this is never a given. This allowed Milan this sprint start.
“Imagine if Milan had only had the players available since mid-August… Then clearly I am not discussing players like Reijnders, Loftus-Cheek or Pulisic, who are making the difference.
“Obviously we have to wait a little longer to properly evaluate the alternatives like Chukwueze, Musah or Okafor, who haven’t had the time, the continuity and don’t have the intensity of the others. Over time we will evaluate the whole team well.
“For now, obviously the opinion is very positive. I repeat not only for the how but also above all for the timing. That, in my opinion, was the real big difference in Milan’s summer transfer market: having allowed Stefano Pioli to have practically the entire squad available in the shortest time possible.
“Through that squad he will be able to entertain the Rossoneri fans and above all he will be able to manage both commitments in the best possible way [which will become three with the Coppa Italia].
“Clearly there have been some illustrious exits… the farewell of Ibrahimovic, Brahim Diaz and Sandro Tonali, who remains a piece of this club’s history despite his experience being very short. But he will still remain and will remain forever in the heads, thoughts and hearts of Milan fans.”
