‘The warning light that went off’ – Ordine urges Milan to sign Rabiot

By Euan Burns -

AC Milan have been urged to sign Adrien Rabiot on a free transfer at the end of the window by Italian journalist Franco Ordine.

Writing in his editorial for Milan News, Ordine suggested that the landscape has changed around the potential acquisition of Rabiot on a free transfer has changed.

The suggestion is that ‘the warning light’ around Rabiot went off when Milan were beaten 2-1 by Parma and had next to no control over the midfield against a team that many have tipped to be relegated back to Serie B at the first time of asking.

Ordine thinks that Milan would be much better equipped and balanced in midfield with the Frenchman coming through the door, and the club knows that.

Rabiot is no longer under contract at Juventus which means he could actually be signed even after the transfer window has closed. Ordine thinks that the ideal midfield three for Milan if they switch to a 4-3-3 would feature Youssouf Fofana, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rabiot.

He feels that is what would take Milan’s midfield up a level to the same place as Inter and Juventus, the two teams that currently look best equipped to fight for the Serie A title this season.

Tags AC Milan Adrien Rabiot Franco Ordine

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  1. So Bennacer isn’t leaving, so Kone is going to Roma and VOS is apparently a Futuro project. That leaves Fofana as the other DM.

    In a 433, Fofana with Bennacer and whoever the third mid to complete it, could be well balanced. But what happens when wither Fofana or Benny get injured? Back to only one DM and square pegs in round holes?

    Rabiot isn’t the worst option if his salary is lowered. Is there another alternative?

    Can we get away with Reijnders/Fofana/RLC?

    1. I’d say the alternative would be thiaw or tomori on dm. They have solid passing and aren’t afraid to get physical.
      But moves like that only work when Pep does them. A regular coach like fonseca wouldn’t dream of it.

      1. Thiaw is a good shout, I’ve said it before on this website. He has the physical attributes to do it. It’s worked before with players like Rijkaard and Desailly. Put him on front of the back 4 to protect, disrupt and distribute

        1. That’s the thing though…if you do it, do it right. Rijkaard and Desailly were both CBs who became world class DMs. John Stones has done it too. It’s all about coaching. Thiaw is a bit unpredictable for CB, perhaps he could be a good DM…

        2. whats a DM in 433 anyway? Drops beetwen both cb while they go a bit wide and you effectively have a back 3 while building up and while defending.. the fullbacks go higer up and you’re basically playing 343 . If thats what fonesca is after. Looked like that was waht he was after in parma game 2 me

        3. DM should anticipate and break up attacks and then get the attacking phase started. This’s is good with the ball at his feet…, 1 v 1 shouldn’t be an issue and he isn’t that bad…he’s just erratic and clumsy at times, that’s where coaching comes in again. As Maldini said, if I have to make a tackle, I’ve already made a mistake

          All Thiaw’s flaws can be coached out of him. He looks vulnerable when he’s running back to his own goal towards his own box, a change of position may remove that issue…

    2. Fofana (Musah)
      Reijnders (RLC, Liberalli)
      Bennacer (Zeroli)

      We don’t have direct Benny cover other than Reijnders, but both need to play. Zeroli is too young and Musah is currently too raw… Kone and another regista would have been the best option for us, but I think it will only be Kone and ST, remember the 7 days shtick, we have 2 left…

        1. I don’t know Kone so can’t comment, but this does seem to be a case of selling Bennacer for a max profit and buying Kone low…a books balancing exercise

    3. If Fonseca is actually shifting to 4-3-3 then we have 4 good midfielders plus Musah and Zernoli as back up which makes Rabiot a possible addition.
      But if Fonseca is sticking to his 4-2-3-1 specially with Pulisic playing as 10 I don’t see any room for Rabiot. The last thing we need is revolting players over playing time.

      Also, Rabiot’s mom reminds me of Wanda Nara of Icardi, she is one of the worst agents to deal with.

      As for alternatives, there are several with some details for each case.
      Verrati would be a dream if he would lower his salary. PSG doesn’t want Danilo Pereira to stay and he could be a good candidate as he can play in defense and his salary is within Milan reach too but he didn’t play that much last year, same can apply for Soler but he will cost more money.

      1. I agree that everything hinges on what formation Fonseca chooses to go with. Rabiot might be a pretty good option because he has no suitors and the window is about to close. So if Milan wanted him, the ball would be in our court and we would have the upper hand.

  2. I don’t feel I have the necessary knowledge to argue with most here who should be placed where. But Rabiot’s salary shouldn’t be an issue if they want to sign him. Either way, he will receive a signing bonus, just give bigger bonus to bridge the gap between what we can offer and what he insists on. It’s a bit of a risk as it is a cost for which we pay immediately, but also we are getting one of the highest valued free transfers in the world right now and a top player.

    Also from next year we can register in Ligue 1 as it seems we will be the team with most FR NT players in the world.

    1. Milan currently has 3 French players on the team, Maignan, Theo and Fofana. If Rabiot comes in he’ll be 4th.
      Real Madrid has Tchouameni, Camavinga, Mbappe and Mendy. Should they register for Ligue 1 as well?

      1. As an awful meme says “Daddy chill” 🙂 I am more than fine with all the foreigners in the team – it’s a consequence of the issues in the current IT generation, it’s not the reason as many Italians might argue here. And I don’t mean the players, but the ones who are responsible in the national association, sports politics, etc.)

        1. Even Inter, Milan, Juventus are responsible for this. Most of Italian players comes from 3big clubs.

          Managing the academy was very bad, so it was the result for the performance in national team.

          After Inter pick the better players to use in their system, Milan sell them.
          Atleast the past management worked on it so we are seeing better youth teams now

      2. Real Madrid typically have 2-3 Spaniards in their starting XI, and about 5 on the bench. We now have 1 Italian in the starting XI and 2 on the bench with a realstic chance of getting playing time.

  3. We should sign BOTH – Tammy (only choice) AND Konè – and switch to a 4-3-3 for gods sake as we do NOT have the players to play a double pivot. And if we need an extra slot – terminate Jovic

    That is the only logical way to play with the current group of players.

    Wonderful planning by this management

    1. I agree. 433 brings the balance we need.

      Tammy isn’t a stellar signing but he will run and press and create space for others to exploit.

      Kone I’m not sure about. I’m not opposed to Rabiot for a 3man mid – he isn’t a name that excites but he’s a utility signing and one that would be functional for our needs.

  4. Since we’re in panic mode and reshuffling players every match, I’d try Terracciano as a DM in 433. I specifically took note of him when he played that inverted fullback and when he positioned himself in the center to cover for our CB’s, he was really confident in his movements and anticipation, read the game well and was aware of his surroundings. Hell, we don’t know what to do with him, might as well try. He did play in midfield with Verona.

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