With the midfield being rebuilt around him, Youssouf Fofana hopes to play a leading role under Massimiliano Allegri as he did last season.
As this morning’s edition of Corriere dello Sport recalls, Fofana featured in 52 of the 55 games played by Milan last season. The only three absences were not because of selection either, but rather different circumstances.
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In the first game of the season the Frenchman was presented at San Siro during half-time, in the return derby on February 2 he was suspended, while in Milan-Bologna on May 9 he was out because of an injured foot.
In short, when available, Fofana has always set foot on the pitch. Will this be the case with the midfield revolution that Igli Tare and Massimiliano Allegri are implementing during this transfer window?
Fofana’s role and characteristics
The definitive answer, as always, will be given only by the pitch. Last season, Fofana went through a period of constant use (always a starter with Paulo Fonseca without practically ever resting) and tougher periods under Sergio Conceição.
During those times he was benched even in important matches, also due to legitimate physical fatigue, only to then come on during the game. But a prediction on his future use can already be made: the signings coincide with the other two thirds of the midfield three.
Tare has sought and purchased someone to order things in front of the defence (Samuele Ricci), will bring a multi-role champion like Luka Modric to Milan and is negotiating the transfer of a mezzala, Ardon Jashari. The opposite mezzala is a shirt that has probably already been assigned, to Fofana.
In fact, Milan will need to complete the department with a man who runs: Ricci is a surveyor of the situation, Jashari is a box to box player, while Modric has no need for technical and tactical introductions.
Fofana has the characteristics that are missing: athleticism, combativeness, ability to immediately recover the ball with an aggressive pressing phase or with body-to-body duels in one half of the pitch. Even for Allegri, therefore, the Frenchman will be practically irreplaceable.
If necessary, his replacements could be a copy of sorts: Warren Bondo has similar qualities in terms of ball recovery, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is a man more oriented towards attack and decidedly less effective in the defensive phase, but does have physicality.
I expect a big improvement in Fofana this year.
First year in Serie A is never easy and always takes some time to adjust (look at Reijnders). Especially as he was also coming off a deep run with France in the Euros last year. And as the article says, played every three days for 50+ games.
I expect him to be much more fresh this year as well as more acclimated to the grind of Serie A.
yea, even more so now that he will probably be moved out of the defensive mid role (in front of the defense) . He can defend but isnt his best role and hides his best qualities. I fully expect year 2 in a better role, to be a breakout season for the guy. Plus he got to rest. Last year he joined after being with france all summer.
I think his best quality is shooting from distance, so hopefully we see more of that.
Although, maybe instead of shooting from 30 yards out, he will be closer to goal and be able to keep his shots under the bar…granted that probably means from the 6 yard line.
I’m looking forward to seeing Fofana in a midfield where he’s got support, some experience alongside and an opportunity to rest occasionally. I still fear this team is lacking leadership overall (would have liked to see Xhaka) but we’ll have to rely on Allegri and Modric for that, it seems.
The window opened on Monday there’s still time to sign another experienced player if the club intends to do it.
I really look forward to seeing Fofana this season. While not participating in Europe is bad for financial and reputational reasons, I believe it will be our blessing in disguise as our players will not be as tired as they were last season.
Above average at best
I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt as it’s his first year in a bigger league