18 hours ago
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Journalist Franco Ordine believes that the AC Milan management have the obligation to strengthen the squad in January.
Milan have already made one signing since the window opened, bringing in striker Niclas Füllkrug from West Ham United on a loan with option to buy deal. It is an addition that didn’t get unanimous approval from the fan base, though so far in the minutes he has had, the German has looked useful.
Now attention turns to what other components of the squad could be bolstered. There is a lot of attention being paid to the centre-back department, with the expectation being that a more experienced option could arrive.
Franco fires a warning
Ordine published his weekly column for MilanNews and he dedicated the entirety of it to stressing how important it is for Milan to do business this month, in order to hang on to a top four spot.
“For once, since it coincides with the day I’m writing this column, I’ll start with Max Allegri’s press conference because it seems to offer the most interesting insight of the week, especially considering the news surrounding the health of the Rossoneri squad.
“Both Pavlovic and Fullkrug are currently out: both, according to the coach, could be back in ten days against Roma at the Olimpico. Meanwhile, Gimenez has accelerated his recovery, but his return to action isn’t expected before the end of March, making him unavailable at this crucial stage of the season.
“Responding to a question about the historic precedent of 2011, when Van Bommel and Cassano , among others, arrived in January , decisive in the Scudetto victory, Allegri stated: ‘Two extraordinary players arrived: Van Bommel was wonderful, Antonio had extraordinary qualities. They were invaluable. That doesn’t mean we need two players this year; the squad is fine as it is. The important thing is that we’re happy, and above all that I’m happy’.
“In other words: there’s no point in waiting for the promised defender to arrive because we’re happy as we are. I’ve known this for a long time: Max is a staunch corporate man and has never made a single mistake in his communications. That’s why I’m not surprised.
“So I’m not addressing him, who in this case isn’t the master of the situation, but the AC Milan executives. Because they’re the ones who work on the transfer market and have long been aware of this technical need to address a technical deficit in the squad, which also needs to be strengthened in other positions to have a better chance of finishing in the Champions League next season.
“Because the current scenario is this: Inter and Napoli are not comparable to any of the pursuers, and therefore the top two spots are theirs to contend with. Meanwhile, Juventus – with Spalletti at the helm – have gotten back on track and is poised to move even closer to fourth place.
“Roma, too, despite being ‘rejected’ by Raspadori, has nevertheless secured Gasperini two attacking players who could prove very useful in rotation. Not to mention Como, which have begun a climb that could take them very far and, like Milan, are not competing in cup competitions. Here’s a fact that no one uses in the Fabegras case, while it’s repeated like a refrain in the case of Milan.
“So, securing a position, at least that of defender, would have been useful as well as indispensable for the rotations that the championship forces you to make due to injuries and suspensions. Now let’s take stock: if Allegri’s statement was used to dim the lights on the search for Furlani and Tare, well then, okay.
“If, on the other hand, this statement announces that Milan will indeed stick with the current squad, well, there’s no point in it. The gentlemen on the third floor of Via Aldo Rossi are shouldering a deadly responsibility. Because no one will forgive them for not bringing in a reinforcement.
“They tell me: but there’s no money. Okay, but excuse me: will risking missing out on the Champions League for the second year in a row generate money?”
English (US) ·