Veterans, the regret and the supernova: Milan’s full-back puzzle analysed

Among the various areas within the squad that AC Milan must fine-tune this summer is the full-back department, given the amount of unknowns.

What has happened over the past few months at Milan shows that both sides of the defence were not addressed coming into the campaign. Theo Hernandez is out of form with nobody to challenge him or let him rest, while the opposite flank has been a merry-go-round.

As we have already highlighted in analysis pieces regarding the midfield, the centre-backs and the strikers, there perhaps isn’t a part of the squad construction that any member of the management would be fully satisfied with at present. In fact, almost all have holes.

The rumours at the moment is that Fabio Paratici is in talks to be the new sporting director and he will have already made some evaluations on the squad. Who out of the current full-backs should stay, and where is there room for improvement?

The supernova

Why is Theo Hernandez the ‘supernova’? Well, it’s what happens when a star burns out. His season has been one of cooling breaks, missed penalties and red cards rather than the incredible runs and goals fans have grown to know and love.

Both Paulo Fonseca and Sergio Conceicao have perhaps held on to hope for a bit too long that the Frenchman can get back to his best at any moment. The impression, however, is that the No.19 has lost the stimuli that over the last five years have made him one of the best in his role.

The Rossoneri need Theo for the run-in and – if his performances pick up – he could regain the trust of the club and fans, thus reopening the renewal discussions, but also to return to being an attractive profile for clubs around Europe if a sale were on the table.

Milan are partly culpable for the decline shown, because Hernandez still doesn’t have a natural deputy. The new director must make a quick decision whether to back him (and try push through a renewal) to hopefully provide the necessary injection or fuel, or if to invest in a replacement.