GdS: From Tomori to Gimenez – Allegri making use of those who could have left

Massimiliano Allegri knew he had to make do with some existing players at AC Milan, and some were not expected to remain have become his leading men.

La Gazzetta dello Sport write that in this this Milan team – which has so far delivered great success after being profoundly reshuffled by management and coaching – there is one fact that stands out and makes a certain impact: the top five in terms of minutes played.

In order of use, they are Tomori (594 minutes), Saelemaekers (556′), Pavlovic (551′), Gabbia (540′) and Gimenez (533′). All of those were linked with a potential exit at some point in the fairly recent past, and have become Allegri’s senators.

The reasons

A first explanation undoubtedly comes from the size of the squad. There are 19 outfield players which – given the injuries and suspensions that come throughout a season – is not a huge amount of depth. So, there is ample opportunity to get significant bits of playing time.

A second explanation, relating to the defence, lies in the formation: the 3-5-2 requires three centre-backs, unlike the 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. So, that is why there was only one sale (Malick Thiaw), and part of the reason that the usage ranking is therefore led by Tomori.

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

He is far from a permanent fixture and has been on the verge of leaving Milanello on several occasions. For example, between December 2024 and early January 2025, when Milan reached an agreement with Juve for a fee between €25-30m. Then, a few weeks later, Spurs agreed a €26.5m fee.

Both came to nothing. Clearly, the decisive factor was the player’s desire to remain loyal to the Rossoneri. Now, while he hasn’t regained the momentum he had during the Scudetto-winning season, he’s once again become a key player in the defence.

Saelemaekers is second in the list. He had already been deemed not ready in each of the last two seasons, going to Bologna and to Roma (on loan), convincing the management and coach to focus on him. Offers came in during the summer, but Allegri told Milan to say no.

Pavlovic’s development is certainly noteworthy. Last season, despite putting together a good number of starts under Fonseca and Conceiçao, he shared playing time almost equally with Thiaw and Tomori, while now he’s a key player without any doubts. Like Tomori, Allegri has entrusted him and he looks better in a three.

Photos: Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

As for Gabbia, he’s undoubtedly the most organised and disciplined centre-back there (as well as one of the most brilliant representatives of Milan’s spirit). In the summer, he seemed destined for a reserve role, when everyone was waiting for a top-notch defender who never arrived.

Finally, Gimenez. He had both feet out of the Milanello door practically until the very last hours of the transfer window, when Tare himself revealed the possible swap between the Mexican and Artem Dovbyk. The deal then fell through, partly because Santi made it clear he wanted to stay, and now he is starting.