Only a few more days remain until the winter transfer market closes. The AC Milan club management have so far brought in two players to reinforce the team of Stefano Pioli, one of which was Matteo Gabbia who was on loan at Villarreal.
The other is Filippo Terracciano from Hellas Verona who can play as a full-back, midfielder, and even made appearances for his ex club in the centre-back position.
The latest rumours continue to suggest that the Rossoneri club directors are evaluating their options in the centre-back position. Is it, however, what the team really needs now? Let's look at the situation.
In fact, after having deployed Theo Hernandez as a central-defender, where he did the best he could, Stefano Pioli can now rely on the availability of Simon Kjaer and Matteo Gabbia.
The duo have worked together in the past. The AC Milan Primavera graduate is proving to be a reliable option and has won the trust of the gaffer.
In that same position, one must not forget that the team has regained the services of Marco Pellegrino who was sidelined due to an injury. He has already featured for Ignazio Abate's team in the youth sector which was part of the plan to reach a good fitness level. The former Platense player, in fact, could be already in the squad list for the match against Bologna this Saturday at the San Siro stadium.
In addition to that, the AC Milan team is very close to welcoming their teammate Malick Thiaw back as he should be back from injury in the second half of February. As for Fikayo Tomori, he could make a comeback in late February according to the latest report, by Sky Sport Italia. It's a different situation for Pierre Kalulu, however, who is expected to fully recover in the month of March.
The team is making progress in recovering their centre-backs. As mentioned, the first one to return after Marco Pellegrino should be Malick Thiaw. Therefore, should Milan be in the quest for another central defender right now? The answer should perhaps be no, because there is another priority.
AC Milan should look into a right-back...
The Rossoneri's starting right-back is the captain Davide Calabria. The 27-year-old player has not been very consistent this season, even making some serious mistakes which cost the team a lot. His first backup, Alessandro Florenzi, who is 32 years old, is unlikely to have his contract extended, which expires in the summer of 2025. Therefore, it is perhaps a wise choice to allocate the currently available budget to signing a young right-back who will be able to provide more quality and competition to Davide Calabria on the right flank.
Besides that, the club could try to look in the market for a midfielder after the exit of Rade Krunic to Fenerbahce and the long-term injury of Tommaso Pobega. But what is certain is that the search of a new central defender should be postponed until the summer, when Simon Kjaer leaves once his contract expires as he is unlikely to renew with the Rossoneri.
READ MORE | Kiwior: "Milan and Roma’s interest? I’m happy that there’s interest in me…"
