Some time has passed into this summer’s mercato, and Italy’s top five clubs are preparing for a season were anything less than qualification for the Champions League would be considered a failure. Milan, Inter, Napoli, Roma and Juventus have clear goals ahead of them, all making their own movements to ensure that they are well prepared come the start of the Serie A season.
Each day we will look at each club and assess their mercato thus far, and to begin with we have the current Scudetto holders.
AC Milan
Title holders are approaching the season with the clear goal of repeating last season’s success, and above that, they have made their Champions League ambitions very clear to everyone. It’s simple and well known to everybody, nothing less than the European crown itself will satisfy owner and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Current team and addressing problems: The club management are well aware of what areas in the team are in need of reinforcement, and are keeping faith with Massimiliano Allegri’s winning formula of last season.
Goalkeeping: Christian Abbiati earned the trust of the management last season, which he deserved given his performances throughout the season.
Defence: By the beginning of last season, the full back department was widely considered the team’s weakest, and one of the main reasons behind the lack of balance which characterized the team under former coach Leonardo. Milan didn’t opt to make any enforcements in this department last summer, last season though, they were in for a very pleasant surprise, as Ignazio Abate proved to everyone, that he is capable of playing in that position which some greats like Mauro Tassotti and Cafu filled before.
Many consider Abate as best right back in Serie A last season and that he deserves every bit of trust by the club. On the other hand, the limitations of Luca Antonini, and Gianluca Zambrotta are well known, the World Cup winner is approaching his mid 30s and is not the player he once was.
In the centre-back area, Milan have what is widely regarded as the best centre-back partnership in Serie A, and one of the best in the world. It is tough to think of an upgrade on a partnership of Thiago Silva and Alessandro Nesta, but with the Italian’s fitness problems in recent years could find them in-need of a replacement. While there is back-up in the form of Mario Yepes, who didn’t disappoint when called upon last season, the 35 year old Colombian is not enough.
Midfield: Kevin-Prince Boateng and Mark van Bommel will once more be key fixtures of Milan’s midfield in the coming season, while Andrea Pirlo was acquired by Juventus, Milan’s midfield is still an aging one and big changes will surely be needed sooner or later. The immediate need may not surpass one quality midfielder though, and as Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has made clear, he’s searching for a midfielder who can best suit playing on the left of a 4-3-3 midfield.
Tactically speaking, Milan can do need trequartista or midfielder, as in Allegri’s 4-3-1-2, Boateng has shown enough versatility and quality to play as one of the three central midfielders, or in the area behind the strikers. In addition to this, Milan have, in Robinho and Cassano, players who may very well fill this number ten position, probably not with the same amount of energy someone like Boateng could offer, but with even more flair and creativity.
Attack: Milan have more than enough fire power to win the league, maybe in Europe their attack has limitations as star man Zlatan Ibrahimovic has never managed to convince in Europe’s elite tournament, but the Milan management have the the right to trust what is already in place.
Conclusion:
Problem 1: Milan need a quality midfielder who can quickly merge into the system and add certain missing qualities to the team, which will play a big role in making yet another step up in quality.
Problem 2: A quality left back is much needed.
Problem 3: A quality replacement for Nesta is much needed.
Mercato solutions acquired by the club and writer’s assessment:
Solution for problem 1: The long talked about Mr.X is expected to be the one who will solve this problem, so we will need to wait and see whose he before we assess. But, it’s important to take into consideration that Milan made one of the most exciting mercato movements this summer, in signing Stephan El Shaarawy, a kid with all the potential to become world class player.
He arrived on a co-ownership deal from Genoa, after spending last season at Padova in Serie B, and at just 18 years of age, a lot is expected from someone who many consider Italy’s next big thing.He can fill in the number ten position for Milan in the years to come, but El Shaarawy shouldn’t be considered the immediate solution for Milan.
Solution for Problem 2: Taye Taiwo, Marseille’s Nigerian International, arrived on a free transfer and was one of the most sought after left backs in Europe, after six years at Marseille where his potential became well known to everybody. Top class full backs are very rare these days and when they exist, they are very expensive, admittedly Milan could have done better with players like Fabio Coentrao, Leighton Baines, or even Gareth Bale, but the cost would’ve been very high for any of those three. Coming it at zero cost, Milan are better off with Taiwo, as he got all the needed potential to succeed.
Solution for problem 3: Philippe Mexes, after six years at Roma, is one of the most experienced Serie A defenders The French international centre-back was very near of clinching the Scudetto on a number of occasions with his former side and arrived on a free transfer.
Milan obviously did a great piece of business, and they got themselves an excellent back up for Nesta. If he can control his hot temper, and if he can return to form quickly after his current injury, Mexes might well prove himself worthy to even become first choice for Milan.
Overall Assessment
Milan are on the right track to complete the mercato with all their addressed problems being solved. The only thing we are waiting for is the revelation of Mr. X.
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