Mauro Tassotti, Roberto Donadoni and Filippo Galli have each given their opinions on what AC Milan need to bridge the gap that has opened up with Inter.
It is now being widely reported that Milan will soon announce Paulo Fonseca as their new head coach in the next couple of weeks, and then work can begin on giving him a squad capable of challenging for the Scudetto.
While the signing of a new striker might be the issue that is dominating the headlines most, it is not a simple case of replacing Olivier Giroud’s goals and jumping above Inter, especially given the defensive problems that were seen last season.
Indeed, multiple sources are suggesting that Geoffrey Moncada and his team are also looking for a new central defender, a defensive midfielder and also a right-back, all of whom would be starter-level signings.
La Gazzetta dello Sport have conducted an interview with Tassotti, Donadoni and Galli in which they asked each of them for their advice ahead of the summer.
Tassotti: “Milan need a deeper squad, with reinforcements in all departments. I think that Fonseca will find a strong team, equipped to do well, and I would start by not selling any of the big names.
“It’s true that the Rossoneri were way off first place in terms of points in the last two years, but it is equally true that Napoli and Inter have done something extraordinary, the last two seasons have been truly special and Milan, in the one that has just ended, still finished second.
“First, with the transfer window alone you can’t solve everything. And here we come to the second point: a coach’s ideas can help a club a lot. Having said that, some problems must be solved, I’m thinking of the too many goals conceded last season.
“Fonseca will have to understand quickly how to improve the reliability of the department and help from the mercato can make their task easier. Then it will be a matter of broadening the discussion because, I repeat, the mercato is not a magic wand.
“In recent years Milan have defended in a certain way, more man against man and less with the department, and they also did well, because that’s how they won a title. Will the approach change with Fonseca on the bench?”
Donadoni: “We need more reinforcements, I would say one per department. Fonseca’s starting point is correct: a team that wants to fight for the Scudetto cannot do without a great centre-forward, so much so that Milan in the last Scudetto had two, Ibrahimovic and Giroud.
“That Milan, however, had strength also in the middle of the pitch and at the back: to raise the level they need a defensive midfielder and a central defender. From what I read, I seem to understand that the club is moving towards young profiles who have already demonstrated something, like Fofana of Monaco.
“It is the line of recent years, it has often borne fruit but it also requires a minimum amount of patience, because not all young players settle in immediately, especially at a big club like Milan.
“Think about Tonali: after a first season of bedding-in that had made more than a few fans turn up their noses, became the engine of Milan who won the Scudetto in 2022.
“From Sesko to Zirkzee and Jonathan David, almost all the candidates for the centre-forward role are talents who have not yet fully established themselves. Before choosing, the managers will have to carefully weigh the character of these names. Whoever arrives at Milan will have to deal with great expectations and pressure…”
Galli: “You have to score goals, of course, but you also don’t have to let your opponents score them. It’s not a professional deformation, it’s the priorities of a Milan that wants to return to the top.
“To fight for the title the team must first of all rediscover the defensive solidity of two seasons ago. For this reason I think that, in addition to the new striker, the club must work to give Fonseca a midfielder and a central defender.
“At the same time, I think it’s time to start eliminating the waste from the last season: ok, it went badly, Milan finished in second place but with a significant gap to Inter, however the team is strong and it is right that the new coach looks at the squad with confidence. It’s not all to be thrown away, on the contrary.
“In midfield they need a muscular player but one who isn’t just disruptive: he must also be able to drag the team forward, like Kessie, Tonali and like Loftus-Cheek did in the first part of last season, starting further back.
“Fonseca will find players who expressed themselves at a very high level in the title season, like Tomori and Kalulu, and interesting profiles like Thiaw , capable of leading the department, as Kjaer had been in recent years.
“Well, I think that the search for a defender should be oriented in this direction. With a centre-back who has character, is charismatic and established, the department will be complete.”
Absolute sense by three legends, two of whom were best in class and the other was a phenomenal servant for this club.
With Fonseca Coming In Jonathan David makes huge sense, that could then pave the way for a top CB who knows the league like Buongiorno.
As Tassotti says, the key is to not sell top players. This summer can’t be a revolution again. 2-3 starters and some depth is what is required. Fofana, Buongiorno and David would be a great Mercato for me
“Milan need a deeper squad, with reinforcements in all departments. I think that Fonseca will find a strong team, equipped to do well, and I would start by not selling any of the big names”
Couldn’t have said it better. Matter of fact all three of them, the entire interview is exactly what Milan needs to do. I wish we had these guys managing the team or the current crop taking notes
It’s so strange the article that should have the most comments, don’t. Smh
Because people prefer giving opinions about controversies ,not so much about normality or common sense. But also that’s natural so no big deal IMO