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At present there are only four ‘untouchable’ players in the AC Milan squad, meaning a fight for the other places is on.
La Gazzetta dello Sport begin by writing that the myth of a permanent position has faded. Milan will kick off their preseason properly on Wednesday at 13:30 CEST time with a friendly against Arsenal, and no fan is certain which team will play in the league and Coppa Italia.
The Rossoneri have four established starters: Mike Maignan, Luka Modric, Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao are untouchable. Everything else is debatable.
Full-backs
The identity of the new right-back remains unknown. Guela Doué, barring any surprises, won’t arrive, and Marc Pubill isn’t a priority. The squad has plenty of options there like Alex Jimenez, Filippo Terracciano and Alexis Saelemaekers but none are natural there, while Emerson Royal will leave.
Pervis Estupinan is the leading candidate for the left-back role. Milan have made an offer to Brighton and will soon make another because Igli Tare has chosen him as Theo Hernandez’s heir, and if all goes as planned, Milan’s left-back will be Ecuadorian.
His back-up will be Davide Bartesaghi but there’s no shortage of emergency options like Jimenez, Pavlovic, Saelemaekers. Each have played left-back at least once in their lives. Ultimately, there’s one important rule to keep in mind: Milan will play one game a week.
Centre-backs
Four players for two spots. Tomori and Pavlovic are the theoretical starters, the players Tare and Allegri are banking on most. Gabbia and Thiaw are the alternatives. One logical question, however, is: can Tomori and Pavlovic play together for Allegri?
Some of their qualities are evident, as are their errors in the penalty area last season. They haven’t performed well together. Easy prediction: Gabbia and Thiaw have a chance to overturn the hierarchy, unless someone calls for Malick in the next 40 days. After his no to Como, his departure is unlikely.
Midfield
Luka Modric is coming to play, and there’s no doubt about him: he’ll get minutes, probably as a regista in front of the defence. Samuele Ricci starts as his natural reserve: an apprenticeship from the best, but he’ll play often.
There are two midfielder spots up for grabs and if Ardon Jashari comes he will take one, given he would be a €35m investment. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Youssouf Fofana are the logical candidates for the other spot. Yunus Musah is a candidate to leave, and Warren Bondo is a rotation man.
Centre-forward
The striker might be the most important acquisition, but also the most complex because centre-forwards cost a lot. Victor Boniface is highly sought after and isn’t impossible to buy, but his injury plans leave him in doubt. Dusan Vlahovic’s salary is out of budget, who knows in August.
Dawin Nuñez was the first option, but his costs are very high and Saudi clubs are keen. Tolu Arokodare fits the profile outlined by Tare and has a chance. Breel Embolo is admired and could be signed tomorrow for €15m. Oh, and there’s Santiago Gimenez, the almost forgotten €35m man.
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