AC Milan finally has its management structure in place, as well as a new head coach, and can at last begin planning for the new season. About time, one might say.
Amorim, Gardiner and Almstadt will be responsible for the sporting side of the club, and they will have to resolve a huge number of issues: from Leão's desire to leave the club, to Modrić's future, and the management of the many players returning from loan spells.
This will have to be a transfer market driven primarily by ideas, since AC Milan narrowly missed out on qualification for next season's Champions League and the substantial revenues that come with it. The club will still compete in the Europa League, however, and that means the much-discussed squad registration lists once again become important.
While there are no concerns regarding Serie A squad registration, attention must instead be paid to UEFA's regulations for the 25-man squad that must be registered for participation in next season's Europa League. Needless to say, Milan's transfer strategy will also have to take these parameters into account.
By the way, for Milan fans who like to track the players’ statistics and much more, platforms such as NerdyTips fit naturally because they reflect how many supporters now think about the game: not only through names and reputation, but through patterns, numbers and the small details behind each fixture.
UEFA Europa League Squad List: The Rules
In European competitions, the squad may contain a maximum of 25 players (List A), divided as follows:
- 17 non-home-grown players
- 4 players trained in Italy
- 4 players trained at the club
There is also a List B, which can be modified at any time and consists of Under-21 players who, from the age of 15 onwards, have spent at least two consecutive seasons at the club.
The criteria for "home-grown" players are as follows:
- Players who, between the ages of 15 and 21, spent three sporting seasons, or a total of 36 months (consecutive or not), playing for AC Milan: club-trained players.
- Players who, between the ages of 15 and 21, spent three sporting seasons, or a total of 36 months (consecutive or not), playing for a club affiliated with the same national federation: Italy-trained players.
Europa League Squad List
Non-home-grown players (17/17)
- Maignan
- Tomori
- Pavlović
- Estupiñán
- Athekame
- Modrić (?)
- Rabiot
- Jashari
- Fofana (?)
- Loftus-Cheek (?)
- Saelemaekers
- Pulisic
- Nkunku
- Leão (?)
- Giménez
- —
- —
Italy-trained players (3/4):
- P. Terracciano
- Ricci
- De Winter
Club-trained players (1/4):
- Gabbia
List B (unlimited changes)
Torriani, Bartesaghi, Camarda, Comotto and others.
As of today, Odogu remains a question mark for several reasons. Firstly, it remains to be seen whether he will stay at Milan or leave on loan. Secondly, because he is not eligible for either List B status or a home-grown slot, registering him would require using one of the 17 non-home-grown positions.
The same applies to Andrej Kostic, whom Milan officially signed in recent weeks, as relayed via Milannews.
The future of several players also remains uncertain. Leão, Fofana and Loftus-Cheek all appear to be potential departures, each of whom would free up a place among the 17 non-home-grown players. Modrić's future is also far from settled: the Croatian is expected to make a decision after the World Cup.
It is also worth clarifying which registration slots would be occupied by players returning from loan spells.
Players Returning From Loan:
- Bennacer (17 non-home-grown players)
- Musah (17 non-home-grown players)
- Chukwueze (17 non-home-grown players)
- Bondo (Italy-trained)
- F. Terracciano (Italy-trained)
- Camarda (List B)
- Zeroli (List B)
- Comotto (List B)
Among these, Bondo, Bennacer and probably Musah can already be considered likely departures, although Amorim will reportedly want to assess Musah first at Milanello. Chukwueze and Filippo Terracciano also have uncertain futures.
Camarda and Comotto could prove useful, while it remains to be seen whether Zeroli will be sent out on loan once again.
How the AC Milan Squad List Affects the Transfer Market Strategy:
At the beginning of the summer, Milan can sign three players without any registration issues: two non-home-grown players and one Italy-trained player (provided that one of Filippo Terracciano or Bondo does not remain at the club).
Any further additions will require adjustments through player sales. It will be important for Milan to reach September without finding itself in the uncomfortable position of having to leave players out of the Europa League squad. That would be an awkward situation and the result of poor planning.
