AC Milan have overhauled the flanks this summer, and it has been deemed a bit of a ‘gamble’ by one report.
As MilanNews write, rewinding one year Milan were about to start the new season with Calabria, Emerson Royal and Kalulu as the right-back options, then Theo Hernandez, Terracciano, and Jimenez on the left.
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With Kalulu leaving immediately after mid-August, Walker was added to the list in January to replace Calabria, who was sold to Bologna. Today, of all these names, the only one still present in the squad is Jimenez, who was seen more as a starter for Milan Futuro at the time.
Injection of youth
For the right side of the defence, Zachary Athekame became the latest new addition, joining from Young Boys for €10m. Jimenez is the player he will compete with, and the Spaniard starts ahead at the moment.
On the opposite flank, the Rossoneri will rely on another new face in Pervis Estupinan, who arrived from Brighton for just under €20m. Davide Bartesaghi – who was promoted fully to the first team this year – will be his deputy.
For Milan, this is a gamble not only because there are two players who will have to settle in and because Theo’s legacy needs to be inherited, but also because of the young age of the players.
The oldest is Estupinan (27): the average age of the full-backs is 22, with the other three all under 21. A sword that can be double-edged: so much potential but the risk of inexperience that should not be underestimated.
However, it is a gamble that Milan have evidently calculated. The number one guarantor is none other than the coach Massimiliano Allegri, who throughout his career has demonstrated his ability to juggle young players with great potential.
for this season, it should be enough…
hoping for Bellanova if Estupinan (depends if he stays fit)/Athekame (Swiss league is completely different to Serie A) don’t work out or if we lose Jimenez next summer…
No way Jimenez is going to Real Madrid especially with Alexander Arnold around.
we’re assuming that with one game a week no one gets injured. Is the depth there for the wingbacks or are we back to square pegs in round holes in one of the starters goes down? Is Saelemaekers the answer on either wing? Is Jimenez?
Basically Milan will.use Tomori as right back.
If Milan play with 4 at back, most experienced right back will be Fikayo, than Saelemaekers.
We can see how Tomori played in Zagreb as right back.
Milan Basically did nothing on that position. After Walker, Royal, Florenzi, and now they hope Tomori, Jimenez, Saelemaekers and new Young Boys boy, will like cover that position.
Big hole.
In Central defence positions we still don’t have that kind of Buongiorno central back.
At least one strong central back we still don’t have.
And midfield suffered mostly by releasing our stronger midfielder Reijnders.
Only Hernandez sale could be good guess if his substitute manage to keep defence on left flank solid.
Basically Milan manged only to gain around 50 millions from player sales by sacrificing 3 Well know name of Serie a.
They overpay some new names and no one knows how are they going to play there…
Stop being stupid please… we got Modric and two shown talents for Rejinders. Anytime easy swap. Especially with no CHL.
Croatia Fan you stupid, Jashari,modric and ricci > reijnders
« However, it is a gamble that Milan have evidently calculated. »
Seems like the only things that are calculated are capital gain, salary cap and transfer commissions. This NBA style turnover can’t be a good thing, especially when you lose a captain and the best left back Milan had since the late 2000s. Let’s expect a different result with the same method though.
Huh? Every transfer for every club on earth is somewhat of a gamble. Why don’t we just wait and see? How about that?