Dear Santa: A Christmas wishlist from AC Milan
My name is Silvio Berlusconi, former Italian Prime Minister and current owner of Serie A football club AC Milan. With Christmas around the corner, I thought we could do with some much needed presents to help us return to playing in the Champions League. Currently sitting in a disappointing seventh, we do need some vital elements to help revive our season.
First and foremost, somebody who can defend. We have conceded 18 goals in 15 games and don’t have a trusted centre-back partnership. A player such as Manchester City defender Matija Nastasic would be ideal, as the club seems willing to listen to offers. Otherwise an early offer for Palermo’s Ezequiel Munoz, with his contract set to expire in June.
I would rather sign one of these defenders, or I’m going to have to ask Alessandro Nesta or Paolo Maldini to come out of retirement.
We could also do with a left-back as Mattia De Sciglio is better placed on the opposite flank, while Pablo Armero hasn’t instilled confidence in the coach. Cagliari youngster Nicola Murru has been one of our long-term targets, his lack of playing time under Zdenek Zeman could help our cause. Stefan Radu from Lazio is an alternative, with a deal likely to be more simplistic.
Fans are becoming sick and tired of mediocre players in the left-back position, some are even starting to miss Luca Antonini.
Next would be a creative midfielder. Our strikers have not benefited from ample service, not to mention the injury to Marco van Ginkel leaving even fewer options. A good place to start would be Liverpool prodigy Suso, we have been monitoring him for some time. However we wouldn’t say no to someone like Alessandro Diamanti, as he can provide that creative edge of unlocking opposing defences.
I realise Diamanti is the wrong side of 30, but I’m looking for an instant fix for this particular position, and he fits the billing.
An extra striker would be good. Although I appreciate the fact we already have Fernando Torres and Jeremy Menez, somebody with a big future would help bring fans to the San Siro. I had Andrej Kramaric in mind, as I can’t imagine he would be too expensive. However if you were feeling generous, we would gladly welcome Aleksandar Mitrovic, as he definitely has the potential to displace our first-team strikers.
Should you find the time, relieving us of some of our bench warmers would be handy. Cristian Zaccardo springs to mind, but I could name at least another half a dozen. We will need to trim the wage bill if we’re going to be spending in the market.
If you care to visit Milanello, you will find a panettone aside our very own Monferrato Rosso wine, as well as of course an AC Milan scarf and kit. May you wear it as you deliver presents to our fans worldwide.
Yours,
Silvio.