MN: New faces, young in age – why Milan’s big gamble is in the full-back department

AC Milan have overhauled the flanks this summer, and it has been deemed a bit of a ‘gamble’ by one report.

As MilanNews write, rewinding one year Milan were about to start the new season with Calabria, Emerson Royal and Kalulu as the right-back options, then Theo Hernandez, Terracciano, and Jimenez on the left.

With Kalulu leaving immediately after mid-August, Walker was added to the list in January to replace Calabria, who was sold to Bologna. Today, of all these names, the only one still present in the squad is Jimenez, who was seen more as a starter for Milan Futuro at the time.

Injection of youth

For the right side of the defence, Zachary Athekame became the latest new addition, joining from Young Boys for €10m. Jimenez is the player he will compete with, and the Spaniard starts ahead at the moment.

On the opposite flank, the Rossoneri will rely on another new face in Pervis Estupinan, who arrived from Brighton for just under €20m. Davide Bartesaghi – who was promoted fully to the first team this year – will be his deputy.

For Milan, this is a gamble not only because there are two players who will have to settle in and because Theo’s legacy needs to be inherited, but also because of the young age of the players.

The oldest is Estupinan (27): the average age of the full-backs is 22, with the other three all under 21. A sword that can be double-edged: so much potential but the risk of inexperience that should not be underestimated.

However, it is a gamble that Milan have evidently calculated. The number one guarantor is none other than the coach Massimiliano Allegri, who throughout his career has demonstrated his ability to juggle young players with great potential.