AC Milan’s decision not to invest in a new striker during the summer window is something that could come back to bite them, a report claims.
As reported by Tuttosport (via PianetaMilan), Olivier Giroud will turn 37 on 30 September, and most of the season will be spent playing at the highest level every three days with his club and with France.
Giroud was named in the starting XI for the derby against Inter and for the Champions League opener against Newcastle despite his ankle not being right after a sprain he got on international duty.
As per the paper, this shows how not signing a striker was a flaw in Milan’s summer mercato. Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara were ready to sign Marko Arnautovic but they were sacked, then Geoffrey Moncada and Giorgio Furlani opted for Marcus Thuram, who chose Inter.
Plan B brought Noah Okafor to Milanello, with the intention of finding a No.9 with different characteristics, but he appeared instantly to be more of a winger or a false nine at a push.
And so, after having discussed Gianluca Scamacca, Alvaro Morata, Armando Broja and Hugo Ekitike, it was decided to go for Mehdi Taremi. A fee was agreed with Porto, but the goalposts over terms moved and thus the operation collapsed.
Milan closed for Luka Jovic who hasn’t had a good season since Eintracht Frankfurt (2018-19). The match against Newcastle, in which Leao was not at his best, showed the problem: many opportunities, but not one taken.
Jonathan David seems to be the big target for next summer, but at the moment Milan can only count on Giroud up front.
Ehhhhmm, several opportunities available but none used by Pioli.
Disclaimer. I am not a Pioli hater, nor a fan.
Ridiculous. Giroud has played 5 games this season, he has 4 goals and 2 assists, plus another good pass that put in RLC and resulted in a penalty vs Roma. One game where he doesn’t score or assist and now we have a striker problem… Ok.