Milan’s strategy for the upcoming winter transfer window is already set, and now Moncada and his team are working at full speed in one direction: to fill the spot left due to Ismael Bennacer's injury with a young, promising player, preferably one developed in Italy. Among the names that have emerged recently, one stands out at the top of Milan’s target list: Samuele Ricci.
Ricci is not a new name for Milan...
There was even an inquiry last summer, and today, when asked directly, the Torino midfielder did not hold back: “What does it feel like to be linked with Milan and Manchester City? It definitely feels great, but I’ve learned a bit about football. When things are going well, you’re linked to these clubs, and it’s gratifying because it means the work is right, the path is right.”
Ricci would not say no to Milan; in fact, he would gladly join the project, which is the first reason why Milan should focus on him. The second reason is regulatory, tied to the recurring issue of filling rosters for Serie A and the Champions League. Today,
Milan has four “wasted” slots, or rather, unused spots, because they do not have enough players trained in their own academy or Italian academies. By the end of the year, if Florenzi and Calabria leave (both with expiring contracts), the empty spots would increase to six.
Ricci would be perfect for Milan coach Paulo Fonseca
The player's openness to Milan and the roster spots are important, but the strongest reason Milan should pursue him is purely technical-tactical. Currently, Fonseca’s midfield relies solely on Youssouf Fofana, the French midfielder who arrived in the summer, tasked with both the first offensive build-up and defensive filtering. Ricci has shown both at Torino and with the national team that he would be the perfect fit to complement Fofana’s work, allowing Reijnders to focus on more offensive duties.
In fact, over the years, Ricci has played both in a three-man midfield and a two-man setup, giving Fonseca greater tactical flexibility. Whether it’s 4-2-4, 4-3-3, or even 3-4-3, the 23-year-old Italian player would be the ideal all-rounder.
This, combined with the roster concerns and Ricci’s desire to wear the Milan shirt, makes him Moncada’s priority for upcoming transfer windows. The problem? Cairo’s asking price for Ricci, but that’s another story entirely.
Source: Calciomercato.com
