Longoni urges Allegri to support Gimenez: “A huge asset for Milan’s season”

Andrea Longoni has urged Max Allegri to place full faith in Santiago Gimenez when it comes to the No.9 role, rather than experimenting with Rafael Leao in it. 

The last days of the mercato were a bit chaotic for Milan, and especially Gimenez, as he was linked with a swap deal involving Roma’s Artem Dovbyk. In the end, the striker stayed and it has been made clear since that he never wanted the swap.

Now, the Mexican will get the chance to prove himself as the only proper No.9 in the squad. Christopher Nkunku may have arrived for big money from Chelsea, but he’s a very different player and won’t close the door for the former Feyenoord man.

Gimenez’s upside is huge

In his latest editorial for Calciomercato.com, Andrea Longoni urged Allegri to give Gimenez a proper chance this season. If used in the right way, as the journalist describes it, he could be a huge asset for the Rossoneri.

“I’m with Santiago Gimenez and I believe that if used properly, if managed properly, he could become a huge asset for Milan’s season. Also because, let’s be honest, he’s the only true centre-forward at Allegri’s disposal.

Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/AC Milan via Getty Images

“As far as I’m concerned, the idea of using Rafael Leao as a centre-forward, as a No.9, is intriguing but then difficult to implement.

“We saw it during the preseason with some good results, but mostly against teams that allowed Milan to counterattack. Against defensive teams, this is a solution that risks being difficult to maintain in the long run.

“So, in the end, Allegri will have to turn to Gimenez. There is a negative perception of him today, even among many fans, but this is blatantly wrong and not in line with reality.

“For a centre-forward, numbers are everything; they are the bible of football. Looking at the Mexican’s, they are anything but negative.

“Many have said that it’s easy to score in the Eredivisie. However, what’s overlooked is that at just 24 years old, he has scored eight goals in eleven Champions League games. These are impressive numbers in Europe’s premier competition,” Longoni wrote.