Following club president Silvio Berlusconi’s decision to sell a 48% stake of his beloved Rossoneri to Thai businessmen Bee Taechaubol in a multi-million dollar deal, the time has come for the fallen giants to be wise during the summer transfer window, in order to regain some respect from the football fraternity.
Big things were anticipated for the 2014-15 season, after the disappointments of the preceding year. AC Milan legend and icon Filippo Inzaghi was entrusted with returning the club to greatness, but ultimately did not have the financial backing to fulfil his aspirations and was left with an average squad, deprived of quality and motivation. Few highlights emerged under Inzaghi’s tutelage as Milan slumped to a miserable 10th place finish in the Scudetto race – 35 points off league champions Juventus. Although the 41-year-old was relieved of his duties for the dismal campaign, he was very much made the scapegoat and should only receive minimal guilt for the team’s shortcomings.
Until Berlusconi announced he had agreed to part ways with almost half his ownership of the organisation, the problems inherently lied with the billionaire and Diavolo hierarchy. In recent times, the 78-year-old’s concerns with his club of almost 30 years had taken a back seat as the media tycoon pursued a career in politics and was embroiled in a number of highly publicised scandals. Consequently, funds for the side began to abate and vice-president Adriano Galliani could no longer buy top quality players in the transfer market, largely indicative of the Lombardy outfit’s decline. Expecting results with a strategy which focused on purchasing washed-up stars, past their prime on free transfers, instead of giving its promising youth players – from its esteemed academy – a genuine chance to prove their worth was farcical.
The Italian outfit has lacked a sense of direction for some time now and with the protracted appointment of coach Sinisa Mihaljovic finally completed, coinciding with Mr Bee’s financial takeover, a new era awaits the once heavyweights of European football. But in order for the side to return to its former glory, things off the field demand change. The Milan management must be astute in the current transfer window and not sanction inexplicable signings such as expending €11 million on Alessandro Matri in 2013, when it already had tightened purse strings.
However, with Milan’s future appearing more financially sound, speculation has linked the club with a host of young and talented footballers in a bid to overhaul an aging roster. One of the issues the Rossoneri faced last campaign was a lack of urgency in the centre of the park and signing a dynamic central midfielder would be the antidote.
Rumours surrounding Monaco’s Geoffrey Kondogbia have intensified with reports suggesting both Milan clubs are set to battle it out for his signature, though it appears Inter is winning the race. Kondogbia would be an excellent acquisition at just 22, as he is capable of covering plenty of ground through his impressive work-rate. However, the French international is likely to cost upwards of €30 million, given the Principality side is looking to capitalise on the serious interest shown in its star man.
An alternative could be Andrea Bertolacci of Genoa. The 24-year-old had a fantastic year with the Rossoblu scoring six goals and laying on a further eight assists from midfield. However, the fact that he is co-owned with Roma could prove a stumbling block in securing any potential deal.
The centre of defence is the biggest area Milan must solve, given it lays the foundations to have any realistic hope of playing Champions League football. Gone are the days of the defensive stalwarts in Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi and Alessandro Nesta that were once synonymous with the Rossoneri. However, the current crop of Milan centre-backs are a far cry from their predecessors as they are simply not good enough to be representing such a prestigious team. A strong and disciplined back four was a hallmark of the phenomenal AC Milan sides during the golden years, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Though now, the centre of defence has virtually been reduced to a laughing stock, with players who would not have been in the starting XI let alone the squad eight years ago.
Philippe Mexes’ form has improved of late, but the French veteran remains error-prone and seems to be a better footballer when higher up the field in attacking situations than his natural centre-back role. Cristian Zapata is unable to translate his consistent form for Colombia into his club team when donning the famous red and black guernsey, while Gabriel Paletta is also vulnerable to making horrendous mistakes.
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German and Dortmund defender Mats Hummels is reportedly a transfer target of the seven-time European champions, but negotiations are yet to transpire. At 26, Hummels has a wealth of experience and would provide some much needed stability in the heart of defence.
Up front is also an area Milan have been desperate to enhance. Multiple sources have indicated FC Porto goal-machine Jackson Martinez agreed to join the Diavolo for €35 million, but the veracity of those reports appear to be flawed. Conjecture has also linked former fan favourite Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a return to Italy’s fashion capital, but at 33 it may not be a smart long-term investment.
Whatever AC Milan does in the transfer market, the hierarchy and coaching staff will need to make several shrewd decisions when contemplating possible transfer targets. A challenge will be to not settle for mediocrity and finally spend big, but intelligently to avoid a repeat of the Rossoneri’s current crisis and get back to the forefront of football both domestically and continentally.
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