August football should be taken for what it is, but it can still provide some useful indications and signals that should not be overlooked. Among the many issues highlighted by Milan in their two friendlies against Inter and Chelsea, one that stands out concerns their options at centre-forward.
Let’s start with Andrej Kostic: he did not play a single minute in the derby before returning early to Milan with the rest of the Milan Futuro youngsters. Calling it a rejection would be too harsh on the very young Montenegrin striker, but the message is certainly clear: as things stand, he is not yet ready to play for Milan.
Against both Inter and Chelsea, Camarda started as the central striker, and the results were virtually the same: very few touches of the ball and a lot of duels lost. The 2008-born striker is still too inexperienced for matches at this level against opponents who are more advanced both physically and in terms of experience.
It is right to believe in young players, but it is even more important to have a development plan that allows them to fulfil their potential. This raises a debate regarding Camarda: would it not be better to follow a pathway similar to Pio Esposito’s, with a loan move to a top Serie B or Serie A side that is not fighting to avoid relegation, allowing him to return in one or two years stronger and more mature?
The facts may prove us wrong, but the Camarda we see today does not appear ready to shoulder the responsibility of leading Milan’s attack.
A backup for Gonçalo Ramos is needed
The secondary option appears to be reviving Santiago Gimenez, who is working at Milanello to recover from the ankle problem that has been troubling him for the past six or seven months. It should be remembered that Milan themselves no longer seem to be counting on him, to the extent that they have offered him to Porto and Lazio, the two clubs that have shown some interest in him.
It therefore remains to be seen whether Milan will decide to return to the transfer market to give Amorim another striker, Swiss international Breel Embolo of Rennes has been offered to the club, or whether they will decide to keep Camarda as Ramos’ main alternative.
