Pierre Kalulu only played one game during the pre-season tour in the US, coming on against Barcelona and playing both as a centre-back and a right-back. A situation reminiscent of Ignazio Abate, Mauro Suma argues.
Kalulu struggled with a minor injury after returning from the U21 Euros with France and thus missed the first two games of the USA tour. However, he did come on against Barcelona, initially as a right-back but then he was moved into the centre.
In his latest editorial for MilanNews, the MilanTV pundit Mauro Suma has compared the situation of the Frenchman to that of Ignazio Abate prior to the 2010-11 Scudetto season. Both, in fact, have been used in multiple positions.
“I remember what Ignazio Abate was prior to the 2010-11 Scudetto season, a player tossed around in multiple roles. Then, once his position on the pitch was evident, he became a decisive player in the Scudetto derby won 3-0 against Leonardo’s Inter.
“I see pieces of that story in the current situation of Kalulu. Is he a right-back? Perfect, the full-back market is closed, as he and Florenzi can play on the left and on the right. But in this case, we lack a central defender. Do we believe that Pierre can return to the centre-back he was in the Scudetto season? Ok, perfect, then we need a full-back. This is a topic we must decide,” he wrote.
It remains to be seen if Kalulu will be used mainly as a centre-back or a right-back, but the truth is probably somewhere in the middle. Stefano Pioli likes versatility and depending on the situation, he youngster could be used in both positions.
I think Kalulu would be better as a RB too. And I think he has more to offer going forward than Abate did. However, to do this would require signing another CB and not be short. Esteve should really be it.
Far better and safer as a RB. Too hazardous as a CB.
He had a good U21 tournament playing RB. I would like to see him playing on that flank more than in the center.
Yezz he did and great assist
I think it was in the 1st game over the ground and the french striker finished with a back heel
Yes, it was against Italy
Yezz i remember now
France got the second goal while they shouldnt it was foul
High foot
And italy got a goal rejected
That goal was clearly in
Butt no var
They stole that game
At this point I really wanna see back 4 of Kalulu-Thiaw-Tomori-Theo
We also need Tomori to get back to form in particular. He has dipped since last year. Maybe we could even try 3 centre backs of Kalulu-Thiaw-Tomori.
However pioli has always been a conservative and less creative coach, so I doubt he can do much tweaking with formations to bring out the best in our players, as seen in many cases with players failing to perform under him as he’s also reluctant to give chances to them.
I do hope we could have a more Guardiola-esque coach although it seems like a distant dream.