It has been a busy start to the summer for AC Milan. The Rossoneri have lost two of their best players in left back Theo Hernandez and midfield metronome Tijjani Reijnders, whilst they've also finalized the sale of Pierre Kalulu to Juventus and sold Marco Pellegrino to Boca Juniors and loaned out Francesco Camara to Lecce. In terms of incomings, Milan have yet to find a replacement for Hernandez, but they have added to their midfield core with two promising signings.
After losing the newly crowned Serie A Midfielder of the Season to Manchester City, Milan sought to reinvest the Reijnders money in one of the top midfielders in the league: Samuele Ricci. Born in Pontedera, Italy, Ricci developed at Empoli's academy before eventually ascending to the first team, where he helped guide them to promote and win the Manlio Scopigno award as the club's best player. These stellar displays prompted the attention of Torino, who acquired him in January 2022.
It's here with the Granata that Ricci has been able to take the step up to consistent leader and stake his claim as one of the premium passing maestros in Calcio. Boasting an impressive physical frame, a cunning eye for a through ball, as well as an astute reading of the game, Ricci is the textbook example of the deep-lying playmaker, capable of maneuvering through the press and leading his team into a dangerous area with an incisive pass.
It was only a matter of time before he would become the latest Empoli midfield product to make the move to Milan after Ismael Bennacer and Rade Krunic, with the 23-year-old joining Milan on July 3, signing a four-year contract. The Rossoneri paid €23 million + €1.5 million for Ricci, who harkens resemblances to his childhood Andrea Pirlo thanks to his seamless ability in possession as well as his powerful striking of the ball.
Whereas Ricci looks set to become Milan's regista in Max Allegri's 4-3-3 formation, with Yacine Adli dropping to the second choice at the anchor role, there are plenty of other competitors for the interior midfield roles. Yunus Musah, Warren Bondo, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are chomping at the bit for a spot, but overall, it seems likely that Ricci will be partnering Youssouf Fofana, who has impressed since arriving from Monaco last summer, and Luka Modric.
After a legendary 13-year spell at Real Madrid that saw him win four LaLiga titles and six UEFA Champions League titles, as well as become the first Croatian Ballon d'Or winner after leading his side to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final, Modric elected to join Milan on a free transfer after participating in Real's run to the FIFA Club World Cup semifinals. He chose the #14 number and signed a one-year contract at the Italian club with the option for an additional year.
Whilst he's turning 40 years old in just two months, there's every reason to believe that Modric can help revitalize a young, underperforming squad that failed to qualify for Europe last season following an eighth-place finish. Modric is the kind of player who merely ages like fine wine, capable of eluding the press with a graceful drop of the shoulder and carving out a golden opportunity with an inch-perfect pass over the top of the opposing backline.
Between Luka Modric and Samuele Ricci, Milan have already upgraded their midfield core and put themselves in a stronger position to compete for the European positions next season under Allegri. But now, can they find the heir to Theo Hernandez' throne and secure their starting left back for the near future?
