What if Milan already had the attacking midfielder they need in the squad?
Ruben Amorim’s latest idea involves using Adrien Rabiot in one of the two attacking midfield positions behind the striker, as soon as the Frenchman is available to him. This is not a new role for the 1995-born midfielder, who was already deployed there by Roberto De Zerbi at Marseille, specifically in a 3-4-2-1 formation. And the numbers backed the Italian coach’s decision: 8 goals and 5 assists in 22 appearances.
Rabiot as an attacking midfielder: Amorim’s idea
Since Milan have not yet signed a left-footed attacking midfielder, and there is no guarantee that one will arrive if Leao does not leave, the Portuguese coach is studying options from within the squad. One of those options is Adrien Rabiot. He is a different kind of left-footer compared with Karetsas, who was linked with Milan until a few weeks ago, but he has the intelligence, athleticism and technical ability to operate in the role as required, today’s Gazzetta dello Sport writes.
For the Frenchman, it could also represent a new challenge after a season that ended in the worst possible way, both with his club and with France’s fourth-place finish at the World Cup.
And what about midfield?
If Rabiot changes position, it would also open up a new discussion in midfield. If Modric is a starter, the Frenchman was expected to be the second midfielder alongside him. Jashari, Comotto, Ricci and Musah are currently the alternatives, with Fofana, Loftus-Cheek and Bondo still expected to leave.
Amorim and Cardinale’s first task remains to reaffirm to the former Juventus and Marseille player how central he is to the project.
