GdS: Minutes needed and bonuses to achieve – how Rabiot is gearing up for Milan start

Didier Deschamps appears willing to assist in AC Milan’s mission to get Adrien Rabiot up to speed again, according to a report.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) recall this morning, Rabiot started just one game this season: the Ligue 1 opener on August 15th. He got the nod from minute one away at Rennes, and it would prove to be a fateful day.

While Rabiot and Jon Rowe were close on the pitch, they got too close in the dressing room: a brawl following the team’s defeat resulted in them being transfer listed. Rowe has found a home in Bologna, Rabiot in Milan. Of course, as fate would have it, Milan-Bologna is on Sunday.

The need for minutes

Rabiot has had other opportunities to stay fit: he responded to France’s call-up, played a quarter of an hour against Ukraine, and is expected back on the pitch tonight against Iceland. He’ll get playing time, it remains to be seen whether Deschamps will start him or sub him on again.

The French coach said on the eve of the match: “Adrien is fine, that’s for sure. Obviously, he’s playing less than the others due to what happened in Marseille, but I’ll see.” In any case, these will be further valuable minutes to rediscover his best form.

Also because starting tomorrow Rabiot will be a full Rossoneri player, and Allegri is expecting him to become a key cog in the midfield. It’s the reason Max wanted him in the squad: to support Modric’s leadership, help the younger players develop and boost the quality of the department.

From Wednesday, when he’ll get to know the training complex and new teammates, there’s enough time for Rabiot to get used to Max’s mechanisms (which he already knows) and present himself at San Siro as a new Rossoneri player.

The question is, as starter or substitute? Allegri could surprise, but the conservative option is the one that seems more likely today. Therefore, he’ll rely on the same midfield as in the first two league matches: Modric as a regista, Loftus-Cheek and Fofana as mezzali.

The fatigue with international duties is also affecting the others: Loftus-Cheek has returned to the England squad, while Modric captained Croatia last night against Montenegro and played over 80 minutes. There will be several changes in midfield in the league and Rabiot will be involved.

Bonuses to achieve

One thing is certain: Adrien is a starter for Allegri, as soon as he is ready to be. At Juve, they were on the same side in 128 games (16 goals scored by Rabiot), and together they won a Coppa Italia.

The Frenchman adds experience and dynamism, but also runs and goals: at Marseille, he reached double figures last season, with 10 goals in 32 appearances. After leaving France, he returned to Serie A and especially Allegri, with whom he enjoyed his best seasons.

Max is also worth the financial sacrifice: Rabiot signed a three-year contract with Milan with a salary lower than the €5m net guaranteed by Marseille until 2026. In return, there are generous rewards if the player performs as expected and, above all, if he helps the team win another trophy.

A generous bonus awaits him if they win the Coppa Italia or Supercoppa Italiana, and of course if they win the league, which many believe they should target. A signing like Rabiot could certainly help.