There has been a lot of talk about the things to revolutionise at AC Milan, but there are also some pillars to build around.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) speak about some of the certainties that the ‘new Milan’ can instantly rely upon. It starts with Tijjani Reijnders, who scored his 15th goal of the season on Wednesday night and recently renewed until 2030.
He is not the only one: despite the bumpy path in the league and Champions League, the path to start again is largely mapped out. There is a goalscoring midfielder and a winger of quality and substance (Christian Pulisic, close to renewing until 2029).
There are two centre-backs who could be complementary (Malick Thiaw, right-footed, and the left-footed Strahinja Pavlovic), and then the goals of the present from Luka Jovic (on an expiring deal) and those of the future (guaranteed by Francesco Camarda, first brace on Wednesday in Serie C), plus those expected from Santiago Gimenez.
We must not forget Mike Maignan, Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao: evenings like the derby can indicate more clearly the direction to follow.
Jovic the hero
The night of the win over Inter has the signature of Jovic: the striker was excluded from the Champions League squad list and ironically has kept open the possibility for Milan to return to Europe via the Coppa Italia.
Europe also means revenue: and while waiting for Gimenez to repay the wait (and the expenses), and for a decision on Tammy Abraham’s future (€20m needed to buy him permanently from Roma), we can remember that Luka, summer 2023, had arrived for free.
Also for this reason he is waiting for the club to satisfy his contractual desire: Milan have a one-year renewal option (exercisable, summer after summer, until 2028), while the striker would like at least a two-year extension immediately. For the goals guaranteed in reserve (13 in total, since he arrived), it could be worth it.
After the investment made in the winter, the club will also insist on Gimenez: while Jovic scored a brace against Inter, Santi remained on the bench. He got just seven minutes against Atalanta in the last match of the league.
More comforting are other numbers: in addition to the three goals with Milan, Gimenez has scored 65 goals in Holland and eight in 11 Champions League games. Numbers of a great striker.
The others pillars
He could find his way back to scoring, if the team were to repeat certain play patterns, for example those that led to the first lead in the derby: a cross from a winger (two nights ago Jimenez) and a header from the centre-forward (Jovic at the time).
On the wings, Milan have another talent, who can act as a No.10: Pulisic is the other certainty of the team to come. The identikit also matches Rafael Leao, the team’s actual No.10: he was involved in the second goal and provided the assist for the third goal versus Inter.
Rafa had a poor first half and yet his season has been like this: up and down within games, not just from game to game. The quality is proven, but he lacks stability in performance: this year’s unstable Milan certainly didn’t help him, but the restart will have more solid foundations.
The other old leader is the captain Maignan: if he ‘settles’ for €4.5m net per year, the extension with Milan will be a done deal. It makes sense for everyone: for Mike who will have a richer and longer contract and for the club, especially if the goalkeeper confirms that he has found himself again.
The club’s line is clear on Theo: with no renewal, buyers will be sought in the summer. The only exception to the rule is a coach who vouches for him.
Don’t see why we would spend a lot of money on Tammy, we have Gimenez and Jovic plus camarda as third. Money should go in another defensive midfielder and a proven winger
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I will maintain Luka Jović and give him a chance.
Santiago Giménez has been purchased so he won’t leave this summer. He has not been good but maybe that’s an adaptation issue, plus he didn’t get a lot of quality service.
It might be a good thing to maintain Abraham, he’s done quite well coming off the bench. However it might be a motivation thing since he wants to stay here, plus he costs quite a lof of money and we have Camarda whom we must develop.
Pulišić, Reijnders are a must and Fofana is our only midfielder with a minimum of defensive abilities (maybe Bondo as well). I will however forbade Fofana from shooting.
Jiménez is young so the potential is there.
For our center backs, I’d maintain Gabbia, Pavlović (since he barely got there) and monitor Tomori and Thiaw a bit more. We also need to give Bartesaghi a bit more time.
Leão was mostly bad this season and his behaviour leaves a bit to be desired, but I think he is a symptom of bigger problems rather than a big problem himself. So unless we get huge money for him, I’d rather keep him. Same for Mike Maignan, who had a big drop in performances at some point.
I’d get a new left back wether or not we keep Théo, who while I can excuse the performance problems due to fatigue and lack of rotation, but I can’t excuse the discipline issues like the water break incident, the Fiorentina penalty, diving while having a yellow and discussing with a player during an attack.
Chukwueze, Loftus-Cheek, Musah, Terracciano, Walker, Félix and Royal all have to leave.
For the purchases, we can forget a striker already and focus on the midfield and purchase quality midfielderS (preferably those we can pass the ball), a winger or 2 to rotate with Leão and Pulišić and fullbacks. These are the priority. Center back and attacking midfielder are NOT a priority.
In other words we’re heading towards another revolution, just like the one prior and probably yet another revolution by july 2026, if not january 2026.
Main 11:
Leao – Gimenez – Pulisic
Theo- Tiji – Ricci – Alexis
Pavlovic – Gabbia – Comuzzo
Maignan
Reserves:
Mikautadze – Jovic/Camarda – McAtee/RLC
Jimenez – Fofana – Bondo/Musah/RLC – Walker/Musah/Jimenez
Tomori – Coppola – Walker
Keep: Sergio; Extend: Theo, Alexis, Maignan
Mikautadze also is more of a striker than LW, but he keeps and assisting from both roles… he’s gonna get expensive in 1-2 seasons…
Like I said before, I hope we end up with a 23 man squad with alot of new Italians. I dont see us having any money to spend on big stars from La liga/PL/Bundesliga.
Italians like Comuzzo, Orsolini, Parisi and Lucca might be doable if we offload 9-10 players (Emerson, Florenzi, Terracciano, Musah, R-L-C, Pobega, Adli, Saelesmaekers, Okafor and one of Jovic/Abraham)
Starting 11-
Maignan
Thiaw-Comuzzo-Pavlovic
Jimenez-Reijnders-Ricci-Hernandez
Pulisic-Leao
Gimenez
Reserves-
Sportiello
Tomori-Gabbia-Bartesaghi
Walker-Bondo-Fofana-Parisi
Orsolini-Sottil
Lucca/ (Then Jovic or Abraham whoever a new coach prefer).
Reserve eleven is not far behind starting eleven in terms of quality.
Then youngsters like Torriani, Zeroli and Camarda plays in the Futuro team but can be called up if we have alot of injuries.
If Real Madrid excercises the buy back option on Jimenez, then send Abraham back to Roma, keep Jovic, and bring home Saelesmaekers.
Why would Lucca come to be a backup?
Because his big ego will make him think he will be a starter?
I think they will keep Abraham and Jovic thou since they can use Saelesmaekers to lower the price of Abraham significantly. Lucca would be expensive.
Doubtful they can afford Lucca plus the other positions they need to fill (like Ricci as dmf next to Reijnders, Orsolini as deputy to Pulisic if Chuckwueze is sold, Comuzzo for the CB if a 3 man defense, Parisi or Cuyper as Theos deputy etc).
Thats just going of who they been rumoured to be interested in signing this summer.