A midfielder, a right-back, and a left-back...
A phrase to be repeated like a mantra until these players arrive at Milanello. Tare is working on several targets (Club Brugge's Ardon Jashari, Brighton's Pervis Estupiñán, Strasbourg Guela Doué or Almeria's Marc Pubill) to bring in for Massimiliano Allegri, who is meanwhile preparing for the first matches of the Asian tour without these crucial figures.
Crucial not just in terms of numbers, given that Milan needs fresh faces on the flanks after the departure of Theo Hernández and the upcoming exit of Emerson Royal, but above all tactically. While waiting for the first signs on the pitch, Allegri’s ideas call for the full-backs, along with the center-backs and at least one midfielder, to play a key role in the build-up from the back, orchestrating play to evade the opposition’s pressing. If, among the central defenders, Max can currently count on Thiaw, statistically one of the top U23 center-backs in Europe for successful vertical passes, the same cannot be said for the full-backs.
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At present, the starting full-backs are Bartesaghi on the left and Jiménez on the right. Profiles that may be intriguing, especially the Spaniard, but with different qualities and characteristics. Even by adapting Tomori or Saelemaekers to the right flank, the situation remains unchanged: what’s needed are profiles that can play short passes, handle pressure, and, above all, read the spaces left open by opponents, stepping into “free” zones to provide safe passing options to teammates.
This is precisely the context in which the potential arrival of Pervis Estupiñán from Brighton should be interpreted, not only for his tremendous attacking talent. Italian head coach Roberto De Zerbi, former coach of the 'Seagulls', described him like this:
“I must admit that Pervis is one of the most important players for us because he started as a left-back, but you can also find him in forward positions. He’s very intelligent—I believe he’s one of our secrets. He has improved in his first touch and passing, but I keep pushing him further. If he becomes clean in his first touch and passing, I think he can become one of the best left-backs in the world.”
And indeed, aside from injuries, his years at Brighton have been the best of the Ecuadorian’s career. He proved to be technically reliable in the roles required by the coach from Brescia.
In midfield, the only player who currently fits the required profile for this type of play is Samuele Ricci. From his very first training session at Milanello, he was slotted into the role of central pivot in midfield. Few touches, seeing the play ahead of time, technical clarity, and a strong personality: Samuele will have the fortune of learning all this from a champion like Luka Modrić and making it his own. Jashari, who usually plays as a mezzala (central midfielder), is another player capable of handling the ball under pressure—even if he still needs refining in terms of reducing the number of touches before releasing the ball. Nonetheless, he has the personality and technical quality to hold his own.
And so, as we wait for Tare to finalize some deals, we can continue with the mantra:
A midfielder, a right-back, and a left-back.
