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AC Milan underwent a revolution during the summer transfer window, but it is one that has produced some strong doubts.
La Gazzetta dello Sport describes Milan’s mercato as ‘overwhelming’ which can make it hard to digest exactly what has happened, given the over 30 operations completed. However, as the dust settles, there are five obvious questions that spring to mind.
What system?
Massimiliano Allegri is fully committed to playing a type of 3-5-2, which becomes a 4-3-3 with the ball. It consists of three central defenders, with the right-sided centre-back having the license move wide and get the ball as a full-back.
One of De Winter or Tomori will play in that position, while Gabbia and Pavlovic have a good chance of starting, because there are very few alternatives in those roles. This is the main doubt, because a strong central defender would change the face of the team.
In midfield, Rabiot and Modric will play often, while Loftus-Cheek and Fofana will play a lot. Up front, the real puzzle: Pulisic and Leao have what it takes to be Allegri’s starters, but Nkunku cost nearly €40m.
Whether they could play together is a question for Allegri and for Pulisic’s spirit of sacrifice. Otherwise, there will be room for two of the three, with Saelemaekers being the balancer on the right side.
Why no striker?
At the beginning of the summer, Milan announced they were targeting a No. 9, a central striker with Giroud-like characteristics. That player never arrived, as Dovbyk remained at Roma and Nkunku is a different type of striker.
It happened by choice and because of the mercato: Darwin Nuñez was the top target of the summer, but it quickly became clear he was too expensive. He would later go to Al Hilal for €53m plus bonuses. Vlahovic was never close for similar reasons: his €12m net salary isn’t in line with the club’s policy.
Rasmus Hojlund was negotiated over and rejected, not considered a player with a €40m obligation to buy. The choice then fell on Victor Boniface, preferred because he could be taken on loan with an option to buy, but the condition of his knee made it collapse.
So, when Conrad Harder was deemed too young (or too expensive due to extra demands), the choice was made to focus on Nkunku, a strong player but not a penalty-box strker. It confirms the old theory: the centre-forward market is the most difficult.
Which midfield combination?
Tare began the transfer window with a strong vision: matches are won in midfield. The transfer window’s finale confirms this vision, as Milan has a very strong midfield and it is probably the team’s best department.
However, the process has been complex: Xhaka, whom Tare would have wanted at Milan, did not arrive. Instead, Rabiot came. Allegri strongly desired the Frenchman, having strongly requested him and Vlahovic after the defeat to Cremonese.
Allegri will start with a regista and two more physical mezzali, with Rabiot, Loftus-Cheek and Fofana to choose from. One of the key players to evaluate in the transfer window will be Jashari. The Swiss is strong, everyone likes him, but for Allegri, he’s a regista, more than a midfielder.
He risks competing for a spot with Modric and Ricci, rather than Rabiot (and given how Luka has started the season, it’s unlikely he’ll be left out under Allegri). That is, after Jashari recovers from injury of course.
Enough investment?
What’s certain is that Milan have sold well. Musah will bring in more than €25m, and another €19m has arrived from Okafor. Jimenez can potentially add €20m to the accounts, and Chukwueze has a €25m buy-out option.
Losing Reijnders is a wound, but in almost all other cases, there are no regrets because they weren’t, let’s say, players beloved by the fans. Theo was, but his last year was too bad for his exit to leave a painful mark.
Thus, Milan has earned over €180m, a record in their history. A portion, clearly, was left in the accounts to offset the loss of Champions League revenue, a decision that fans don’t like but is in line with RedBird policy.
Squad too small?
Reijnders, Theo, Jovic, Emerson Royal, Thiaw, Terracciano, Bondo, Okafor, Musah, Jimenez, and Chukwueze have all left. So is the squad short (or rather, lacking in alternatives) or, with only one competition, is it fine to have just 19 outfield players?
In some positions, there’s no doubt. There are certainly plenty of options in attack even without a central striker, and the midfield has ample options as mentioned above.
It remains to be seen what Allegri will do when Gabbia is missing and, above all, whether Athekame and Bartesaghi can cover for Saelemaekers and Estupinan when those two are injured, suspended or in need of rest.
Everyone will get a chance sooner or later, that’s for sure. Even Odogu, who will start behind everyone else but will be tested by Allegri: he could be more than a late arrival.
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