Nobody is safe – Milan planning potential revamp amid dire defensive record

AC Milan’s defence has been their Achilles heel this season with far too many goals having been let in, and this could reportedly lead to a summer overhaul.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport report, the injuries only partially explain what has been a disastrous season for Milan when it comes to their defensive record. They have just the seventh-best rearguard in Serie A in terms of goals conceded, and the 15th-best when looking at away games.

Nobody untouchable

It is an individual and departmental failure from Milan’s defence, which let them down in the decisive moments of the season such as in the Champions League group stages and key stretches in the league.

It is in this context, therefore, that evaluations are and will be made in view of the next season. Unlike other departments, where some untouchables players are present like Tijjani Reijnders, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic, for example – there are no players with that status in defence.

This obviously does not mean the elimination of the entire department. The opposite is equally likely, i.e. that no one moves, but any offers deemed appropriate will be evaluated by the club.

New additions

Some new players will arrive to bolster the rearguard. Simon Kjaer’s exit leaves a void, while Mattia Caldara will depart but he was never used by Pioli.

Paradoxically, the player most sage was the last to arrive: Matteo Gabbia was recalled from his loan at Villarreal six months early and he has since gone on to make over 20 appearances. The six months in Spain have helped him grow, and all signs point towards him staying.

Fikayo Tomori is an interesting case (33 appearances, 30 as a starter). He has not had the most positive campaign but the two months spent in the treatment room due to a muscle injury right in the heart of the season did not help.