Will AC Milan Clean-Out Help Rossoneri Reclaim Lost Glory?
Another underwhelming season has come and gone for AC Milan. Inconsistent performances have seen them slide to eighth on the Serie A table. With only two games to go, the Rossoneri are in danger of missing out on even a Conference League place next season. To rub salt into the wounds of their supporters, the Rossoneri contrived to lose the Coppa Italia final to underdogs Bologna.
The Golden Age of Milan
Ask anyone who has been a supporter of the Milanese outfit, or even a casual Serie A observer, and they’ll tell you AC Milan’s glory days are far behind it. The aura of the late 90s/early 2000s, the days Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini, and Andriy Shevchenko plied their trade in the famous black and red stripes, is long gone. The scarce Scudetto wins since then have proved nothing more than flashes in the pan, slight deviations from a steady downward trajectory.
The end of this season brings a chance to start over, and Rossoneri fans will be hoping the club administration will seize it. The winds of change are already blowing through the red side of Milan, starting in the dugout. Head coach Sérgio Conceição, who took over the reins from a beleaguered Paulo Fonseca in December, looks to be on his way out. There has been no official word on his fate, but the overriding feeling is that he will pay the ultimate price for failing to at least secure European football.
Plenty of Dead Wood
“We will strive to finish the season on a high note, starting with our upcoming match against Roma. It’s disappointing for the fans and for all of us…” Conceição’s sentiments following the Coppa Italia defeat sounded like the words of a man resigned to his fate. But he’s not the only one who will be exiting Milan come summer. There’s plenty of deadwood that needs to be hacked away if this sleeping football giant is to be awakened.
They’ll start by telling Chelsea ‘thanks but no thanks’ and returning João Felix back to sender. He’s done nothing during his three-month loan spell to convince Milan’s bigwigs to sign him permanently. Fellow Premier League loanee Kyle Walker is set to follow Félix out of the San Siro gates. He’s failed to convince at right back, as did Emerson Royal before him. The Brazilian is likely to have played his last season for Milan. Even before his lengthy injury layoff, he was linked to a move to Turkish giants Galatasaray.
‘Gifts’ from Rome
The same can be said of ex-Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori, who has lost a yard of pace. Another center-back, Malick Thiaw, is also said to be surplus to requirements. Ex-Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, currently on loan from Serie A rivals AS Roma, will also be leaving Milan, having failed to win Conceição’s or the fans’ confidence. Word is that the Englishman is not even part of his parent club’s plans, although his Roma contract runs until 2027.
Speaking of ex-Giallorossi players, one wonders how long Milan will hold on to Alessandro Florenzi, given his protracted injury struggles. The right-back has made no appearances for the Rossoneri this season. Previously dependable between the sticks, keeper Mike Maignan has been guilty of some shaky displays this season. Former Manchester United number 1 David de Gea, who has been experiencing a renaissance at Fiorentina, is rumored to be in line to replace the Frenchman.
Stones for a New Foundation
With all these players waiting to be shipped out, will there be anything left of the current squad for the incoming manager to build on? Christian Pulisic has been immense for Milan this season. His 11 goals and nine assists have been crucial in helping the Rossoneri escape the ignominy of the bottom half of the table. Rafael Leão, though he hasn’t been his vintage self, has also been crucial to Milan’s attack.
The revelation of the season, however, has been box-to-box midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. Only Pulisic has scored more goals than the Dutchman. But can Milan hold on to him? Yunus Musah and Youssuf Fofana have been performing decently in midfield. Journeyman Luka Jovic appears to be finally finding his feet as Milan’s number 9. In defence, young center-back Matteo Gabbia is starting to fulfill his potential. Full-back Theo Hernández has been as dependable in contributing to Milan’s attacks as he has been in the past.
Is this remnant enough to form the foundation for Milan’s next golden generation? The answer will largely depend on who will be confirmed as their manager for the coming season. It will also depend on the level of support the Rossoneri bigwigs will accord him in terms of resources to acquire replacements worthy of the AC Milan badge.
