It is not just Stefano Pioli who is fighting to try and save his AC Milan future, because there are a number of players that the management are reflecting on as they build their plan for the future.
This morning’s edition of Tuttosport (via MilanNews) analyses the Milan squad department by department and how it might change over the summer as Geoffrey Moncada and Antonio D’Ottavio continue to put their stamp on the squad.
First we start with the pillars of the team. Players like Mike Maignan, Fikayo Tomori, Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao are certainties for Milan and their aim is to keep them, but if a huge offer were to arrive – like it did for Sandro Tonali – it would at least be considered.
We can also add Ismael Bennacer to this list of players, while waiting to understand what his performance level will be like upon his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Then there are three farewells that could be almost certain: Simon Kjaer, who is struggling physically and whose contract expiring, Antonio Mirante who will probably retire and Mattia Caldara whose contract will expire.
Those in the balance are mostly in the forward group. With Olivier Giroud it is not a question of his performance level, but rather the fact his deal is up in June and he will turn 38 this year, while the MLS appeals to him as a destination.
Luka Jovic meanwhile will only stay at Milan if he convinces the management to activate the renewal option they have on his contract, otherwise he will be released and free to find another club.
Finally there are Matteo Gabbia and Tommaso Pobega. The former will have a great opportunity to demonstrate his worth in the coming months while the latter is injured for a few more months yet and thus he is at the mercy of what the club want to do.
