Fabio Capello believes that AC Milan need three quality signings in the summer to try and close the gap with Inter, highlighting the issues that would be fixed in the process.
Milan looked to have found a launching point with the league title win in 2021-22, but since then they have had two seasons without a trophy and there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the direction of the club.
Moreover, the last few days have been a nightmare for Milan fans. After being knocked out of the Europa League by a Roma side who are 14 points behind in the table, Monday’s derby defeat gave the second star to Inter.
After 33 days, the Rossoneri were 22 points behind the eventual champions Napoli last season while today Inter are 17 points away, showing that the squad just have not been able to compete domestically after that Scudetto win.
Capello did an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport in which he identified some of the problems that Milan are currently battling, and how they should be fixed.
Let’s start from the ‘knot to untie’, as you put it…
“In the second part of the season, Milan lacked the contribution of some fundamental players, from Maignan to Hernandez, from Tomori to Leao. Well, if they are the pillars on which the club wants to build the Milan of the future, think about what to do and how to do it becomes difficult.
“I believe that the managemenet must first understand whether these big names still want to give to Milan, or whether they prefer to leave. In the first hypothesis, we should intervene, but without upsetting.”
In which areas of the field?
“Three signings are needed: a central defender, a midfielder and obviously a centre-forward.”
Let’s start with the defence. Tomori no longer seems like the player who won the Scudetto, Thiaw has experienced several bad games, Kalulu has lost his rhythm, between injuries and setbacks. Is the defence missing a leader?
“I have always maintained that the strength of a defence is closely linked to the filter that those in front form. In Milan’s Scudetto Kalulu and Tomori formed a formidable pairing also thanks to the work of Kessie, Tonali, Bennacer.
“This year I have I’ve seen too little… and the team has suffered a lot. Let’s look at who won the Scudetto: Inter’s midfield is clearly the strongest in the whole of Serie A, that’s how they dominated the league.”
What type of profile is needed in midfield?
“Personality, intelligence. Physicality helps but it’s not enough, Milan needs a midfielder who knows how to stay on the pitch and read all the moments of a match, especially when the others have the ball.”
There is no shortage of candidates for post-Giroud. Who is your pick?
“If Milan are looking for brilliance, they must go to Zirkzee. He has quality, is physically strong and knows Serie A. He wouldn’t need to settle in.”
Looking at Ibra and Giroud, the last No.9s who made Milan’s fortune were over 35…
“We need ready players, in attack as in the other departments. Which does not mean that we should focus on profiles whose age is not compatible with Milan’s philosophy: there are ready youngsters, Thuram is an example of this.”
Leao will turn 25 in June. Will he become a top player?
“He has enormous potential, but you never know what game he will play. And this gives you doubts: it seems impossible to me that a player with those qualities doesn’t have the anger, the competitive spirit that is expected of him. Look at Bellingham at Real. His impact was shocking. Having said that, if Leao and Theo stop, 60% of the team will be missing.”
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