AC Milan’s injury woes claimed two more victims this weekend, in the form of Noah Okafor and Tommaso Pobega, and the injury to the latter may force the Rossoneri to change their January plans.
It has been an awful season for Milan in regards to injuries. CalcioMercato.com writes that in the 2023-24 season, 20 of the 27 first-team players have been subject to at least one injury. A harrowing figure that explains Stefano Pioli’s usage of the Primavera players at his disposal this season.
Whilst the Diavolo’s defensive injury issues have been widely discussed, Pioli may be about to face another – concerning his midfielders. The situation looks bleak for Tommaso Pobega, and it seems as though he could undergo surgery.
The issue could be somewhat solved in January, with two solutions currently being discussed. However, it would require papering over cracks in other areas.
Firstly, Milan may temporarily place a transfer regarding Rade Krunic on hold. The Bosnian’s situation with the Rossoneri has quickly deteriorated to the point where he has not appeared for the side in the previous four fixtures, not even as a substitute. However, with Pobega’s injury and Ismael Bennacer’s probable call-up to the African Cup of Nations, he could stay for the time being.
Alternatively, and the more probable of the solutions, Milan may postpone the arrival of a new striker. Unfortunately, a new forward is becoming seen as a luxury, as opposed to a requirement, given the current injury climate, with a new midfielder internally being seen as a necessity.
Need a dm, not another fûcking mezzala tho.
Where you gonna find a dm that can slot right in in January? I still think we should try for Jorginho
The Amrabat move could make sense
Amrabat plays for Morocco and will be away for the AFCON.
So he’s not a good option. Milan should sign a European player. Ricci or Fabian Ruiz on loan with option to buy.
Those are our best options.
Ricci is a total unknown and no way Torino sells in jan, now way Milan pays that much ofr a DM in jan and Fabian Ruiz is not a DM at all.
Jorginho is best option
Jorhingho is the slowest and most immobile DM out there still playing.
You might as well put a large orange traffic cone out there
would make sense but he wont leave united in jan. And contrary to people saying he doesnt get game time he in fact has 1044 minutes in all competitions
Yes, I also think maybe a midfielder ought to be the priority, since Krunic has one foot out, Pobega is now injured and Bennacer will be off to AFCON. We’ll only have three senior midfielders for three positions. Of those three one is an already known injury liability (RLC). Ideally it would be a defensive midfielder. I think we can manage at CB given what we’ve seen from Simic, with Kjaer returning and Kalulu probably a month away. Don’t know what to do about striker. Giroud still contributes, and I’d like to see more of Jovic, who seems like he is about to become effective. I’d hate to half-ass a striker purchase that would then negate a proper one in the summer.
100%
Personally I’d also go for a CB loan, perhaps Kiwior, next summer we should go all in for Scalvini
Kiwior can play DM
I know it’s not his favourite position but we have Bennacer, Musah, Reijnders who can all somewhat play there if needed. And Kiwior is so defensive for a no.6 that the other two no.8s (or even a 10) will have a lot of freedom to break forward.
Kiwior ticks several boxes as in the medium term I could see him as our starting Left CB.
Probably more speculation if transfermarkt are to be believed.
Musah is deemed to return december 22nd
Pobega january 15th,
They were pretty precise in regard of Pellegrinos return, same with Leao, Bennacer and other players but obviously it isnt exactly carved in stoned either.
Kalulu is deemed to return february 29th.
Okafor january 12th.
Thiaw february 1rst.
No guarantees though but unless something unforseen happens i wouldn’t worry too much.
I like Adli there and maybe even try a primavera player until Bennacer returns. I would not go to the market here.
To keep up with injuries ACM need to invest in 30-40 new players.
Maybe they should look into the roots of the problem?
Pobega and krunic are not Good so Pioli should get rid of them
Please no. We need a ST and a CB far more than we need another midfielder. We have Reijnders, RLC, Musah, Adli and Krunic, and Bennacer back from AFCON in February. We’ll be fine.
The CB situation is far worse. Please focus on that and a significant center-forward signing (preferrably Guirassy, who’s great and won’t cost much) instead of panicking about a position that isn’t even that affected by injuries atm.
No they’re not fine. They’re not fine since the end od summer mercato. This midfield is not functional and not playing to its best potential because there’s no cover, regardless of the formation. That’s evident game in game out. These mazzalas leave too much space for opposition in the middle. Both defending and attacking lines suffer from this shortage. Hence all the collected yellows and reds this season.