Following an infamous defeat to Inter Milan in the Derby della Madonnina, which gifted Inter their 20th Scudetto, AC Milan finds itself in a period of transition. Manager Stefano Pioli has departed, and captain Simon Kjaer and striker Olivier Giroud are both leaving this summer. But with a squad mixed with promising young stars, alongside some of the best players in their respective positions. The AC Milan rebuild is one to keep an eye on.

The Manager

AC Milan have already set their sights on their new manager, Paul Fonesca of Lille. Fonesca has already left his role as Lille manager, after guiding them to a 4th placed finish in Ligue 1 and a narrow quarter final defeat in the Europa Conference League as they lost on penalties to Unai Emery’s Aston Villa side. A strong season as well as Fonesca’s ability to manage a young squad, with Lille having an average squad age of just 25, with stars like Johnathan David, Lenny Yoro, Angel Gomes all being under 24. Fonesca’s ability to manage such a young side will provide benefit for AC Milan, with young prospects dotted all around the side. Thiaw and Musah of particular note.

Fonseca set up his Lille side typically in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with a lone striker supported by a number 10. The number 10 position is a dying breed in sport with managers nowadays utilising players in the so called 8.5 role instead. and Fonseca adapted Angel Gomes to this role. With AC Milan having several box-crashing number 8s, Fonseca might switch formations to maximize the talent in their midfield, including players like Loftus-Cheek, Reijnders, and Pobega. We might potentially see Loftus-Cheek utilized as a number 10, a role he is familiar with from his time at clubs such as Fulham. This would allow Reijnders or Pobega to slot in alongside Ismaël Bennacer.

Fonseca’s tactical high press uses the number 10 to advance with the lone striker, creating a 4-2-4 style press out of possession. This pressing pattern will enable AC Milan to pressure teams sitting in lower blocks, a common theme in Serie A, and give them an advantage against three-back formations by putting more pressure on the center-halves than a lone striker would. In the build-up phase, the number 10 (Angel Gomes for Lille) would typically drop a little deeper to create triangles in the midfield. Fonseca also plays with inverted wingers and one marauding full-back. This style will complement players like Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez, who have formed a lethal partnership on the left-hand side. The other full-back slots in alongside the two center-halves, so as play progresses up the pitch, Fonseca’s side sets up in a 3-5-2, with the 2 up top consisting of the inverted winger (likely Leao for Milan)and striker. The striker has the freedom to drop deep, move out wide, and make forward runs, a role Lille’s Jonathan David excelled in.

Fonseca’s setup makes it clear why AC Milan chose him over other linked managers like Conte and Sarri. This style of play will undoubtedly benefit the current Milan squad, with mainstays such as Leao, Hernandez, and Loftus-Cheek thriving under Fonseca’s tactical approach.

Transfers and problem positions

There are a number of areas in which Milan will need to improve over the summer. The most glaring area lf the pitch they needed to address was striker. Over the last few years Milan have opted for a veteran centre forward whose player profile is big, strong excellent on the ball and hold up. These two players were Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Olivier Giroud. Both these players have had illustrious careers which they have both finished at Milan. However AC Milan, if reports are correct, are going for a younger striker who had a fabulous year in Italy. One who I have spoken about many a time on Osservando. Joshua Zirkzee. Zirkzee’s player profile is not to dissimilar to Giroud and Ibrahimovic. Big strong and excellent on the ball Zirkzee also is exceptional at dribbling and has good finishing skills. The only difference. He’s 22. He can be a mainstay for years in this Milan side and with Fonesca’s system I believe he would be perfect at operating as a lone striker. Milan are planning on triggering Zirkzee’s €40 million release clause and this deal would solve Milan’s glaring issue at striker.

The other positions that needs addressing for Milan is the right hand side of the pitch. A right back is desperately needed, names have been thrown about such as Matty Cash (Aston Villa), Emerson Royal (Tottenham) and Tiago Santos (Lille). All of these would be available for good prices and with AC Milan looking for a number of positions this would be ideal. Another positions that need strengthening is the depth in Centre back, Lloyd Kelly of Bournemouth as well as Jakub Kiwior (Arsenal) have both been reported to be linked, Kelly is available on a free transfer. However Diego Carlos (Aston Villa) has been listed as a top target of the Rossoneri, with Villa potentially looking to offload to keep up with FFP. Improvements in depth for the midfield is also needed and it’s been reported that Youssouf Fofana (Monaco) has been linked to AC Milan, if Milan due pursue this they will have to face of challenges from potentially PSG and Manchester United.

Lastly, even with the signing of Joshua Zirkzee (if it happens) AC Milan still need another striker-with Charles De La Keletaere set on a move to Atlanta where he has flourished. The main candidate for this move would be Chelsea’s Armando Broja. Broja is one of the Chelsea players who’s reported for sale as Chelsea face a mounting challenge of complying with FFP. It is likely that Broja will be available for a cut price between £20 and £30 million. Broja has showed promise and while he hasn’t been given opportunity at Stamford Bridge he will have a lot to prove if this deal was to go through.

It is clear that AC Milan will need a good transfer window to help support Fonesca when he arrives, It is also key that they keep hold of players such as Rafael Leao, who has had interest from PSG following Mbappe’s departure. However the future of the Rossoneri looks positive, Fonesca is an exciting manager with a clear ethos and play style and with the players he has at his disposal to utilise in his set up he will likely flourish. Next season won’t be easy though, with city rivals Inter Milan still looking like one of the best teams in Europe, Roma have kicked on under De Rossi, Napoli have appointed new manger Antonio Conte and Juventus are set to make a superb appointment of Bologna manager Thiago Motta. This next season is likely to be treated as a transition season with experienced players leaving the fold and new talent likely to be signed. The Rossoneri is certainly a team to keep an eye on next season.