AC Milan are evaluating what to do with the players whose contracts expire at the end of the season or in 2025, with Simon Kjaer and Alessandro Florenzi among them.
According to what is being reported by Sky (via PianetaMilan), the Milan management are reflecting on how they want the squad to look from the start of 2024-25 onwards and that means some tough decisions must be made.
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The report states that Kjaer’s contract will not be extended, and given that it expires in June it means he would be free to join another club on a free transfer once the season ends.
In addition to that, Geoffrey Moncada and his team have also decided not to renew Florenzi’s contract, which expires in June 2025. He could bid farewell in the summer 12 months before it runs out.
The full-back has proven to be a useful resource given he has played as a right-back and a left-back when necessary, with 1072 minutes of game time racked up across 22 appearances.
However, Milan intends to focus on young players, and the purchase of Filippo Terracciano is not a coincidence either. There is Alex Jimenez on the left, without forgetting Davide Bartesaghi too.
Meanwhile, several sources are reporting that the Rossoneri plan to invest in a new, younger centre-back to add to the rearguard – such as Alessandro Buongiorno – which pushes Kjaer out.
It must be noted that both the Dane and the Italian have struggled to stay fit for long periods in the last couple of seasons, with both in their mid 30s.
Hmm. I like kjaer as someone who plays a handful of games per season and as a leader. Maybe he’s asking for too big of a salary to stay but he’s always been pretty reliable when he comes in and a level head in big games. All the best if so but kjaer will be missed a lot more than Florenzi.
Both of them would be valuable assets – on the pitch and off the pitch. They are far more valuable to the growth of young players than their market values are. That should be taken into consideration.
Every squad needs experienced leaders. Take away Florenzi AND Kjaer and what’s left in the defense? Only a bunch of teenagers and twenty-something players. That will not end well.
I do hope Kjaer gets one more year and they keep Florenzi until the end of his contract too.
100
Tomori is 26 and has over 200 professional starts. That’s pretty experienced. He also has more CL starts than Kjaer.
And he’ll be here for max 1 more season. And lacks the international caps. Kjaer has like 100x more of those.
I think it’s good to have a mix of young and older players. Just look at the impact of Zlatan Giroud and also Kjaer. I think it would be a mistake to solely focus on young unexperienced players. For big games like CL expetince is often key to reach the higher levels.
I will especially miss Kjaer if he leaves. He has almost always played well in the games he’s played. But I guess his fitness levels are decreasing and that will only get worse probably…
Even if it means offering Kjaer a lower salary but extend for one more season. The experience is invaluable. Then we can wave both of them good bye in 2025.
Big mistake. Didn’t they learn from the mistake of letting Ibra leave?
This is a bad decision. Kjaer has been very good this season. He has held this defense together in spite of all of the injuries. And he is a leader, which this team sorely lacks. Florenzi has helped out a great deal as well. In fact, I would argue that he has played better than Calabria this season.
Ideally Kjaer should remain with the staff. His experience and leadership is invaluable to this group of youngsters. He can’t be any worse than Bonera as a defensive coach.