After yet another transition year, Milan are finally looking like a team that will cause trouble.
With the season starting in less than twenty days and the final stage of the transfer window coming up, we are starting to see some indication as to how the Rossoneri will line-up for the new season.
A few players are still uncertain about their futures such as Andre Silva, Suso and Franck Kessie.
The Cote d’Ivoire midfielder had interest from the Premier League, more mainly Wolverhampton, but with the transfer windows closing in England and the player himself wanting to stay at Milan, it seems like Milan’s midfield will not see any more reinforcements.
Upfront the Rossoneri are trying to offload Silva to bring Angel Correa, with whom they already have agreed personal terms, but have as of yet failed to meet Atletico Madrid’s asking price.
Suso, on the other hand, is heavily appreciated new Milan coach – Marco Giampaolo – after a marvellous pre-season playing behind the strikers in the new 4-3-1-2 formation.
Suso is not the only player in contention to play in that position though, as another man who could possibly occupy the trequartista role is Lucas Paqueta.
The Brazilian joined Milan last January for €35million from Flamengo and managed to have an instant impact, demonstrating his technical qualities, flair and tactical awareness.
However, after coming straight from the Brazilian league, Paqueta seemingly looked fatigued towards the end of the compaignwhich led to less convincing performances, followed by an injury and a suspension.
Despite this, something makes it seem like Lucas can be in that pivot role and arise to be Milan’s star player this season. With Giampaolo’s tactics focusing on attractive and attacking football, Paqueta will most likely have more space to show his qualities.
Despite the uncertainties whether the Brazil international will play behind the strikers or as a left central midfielder, his abilities in both phases of the game would allow him to be the exact type of player his new coach likes.
While having played in a little above ten games for the Rossoneri so far, Paqueta has not failed to showcase his potential.
His ability to hold the ball with ease combined with excellent dribbling skills to operate in tight situations as well as eye-catching skill moves have offered a dynamic not frequently seen in recent years at Milan.
Saucy 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/VyfQ5Eh4hp
— Filippo (@filo_rossonero) February 16, 2019
Attacking is not the only strong part of his game as he showed more than ones his defensive abilities and tactical awareness to close open spaces and make it hard for the opposition to attack with ease.
This is something that Giampaolo will certainly like, and perhaps why he has seemingly said that the 21-year-old will operate more as a mezz’ala.
With all that said, Paqueta has all the qualities to be a world-class player but still has a lot to develop. After a long season for him, he is entering the new one well rested and fully fit.
A name left aside while Milan is working hard on the mercato, but he might just be the superstar that the Rossoneri fans are waiting.
