Partly out of necessity and partly because market circumstances did not bring significant offers for them, several players within Ruben Amorim’s Milan have gone from having their suitcases packed for potential new destinations to playing prominent roles. At the beginning of the summer, regardless of who would be in charge of the first Milan squad built entirely according to Gerry Cardinale’s vision and decisions, there was a list of players whom everyone expected to leave and who are now racking up important minutes.
The clearest example is Pervis Estupiñán...
The Ecuadorian full-back had practically been sold to Aston Villa before Milan left for Australia, but Amorim blocked the move because he wanted to assess him during pre-season. His decision initially slowed negotiations between the Rossoneri and Villa, before the final decision was made to keep Estupiñán, also because the English club then pushed strongly for Ruggeri after Milan stopped giving them the signals needed to complete the deal.
These are the stories of a transfer window shaped by returns and failed departures, like that of Yunus Musah. The midfielder, who joined Atalanta last season on a paid loan with an option to buy, failed to convince the Bergamo side, who decided not to exercise the €24 million option to sign the former Valencia player permanently. Musah therefore returned to Milanello.
His physical qualities and natural ability to maintain a high level of intensity have convinced Amorim to include him among the players who will get plenty of minutes throughout the season, particularly in matches when the central midfield partnership needs to be more about battling than controlling the game, as relayed via Tuttosport in this morning's print edition.
Musah has appreciated the way the coach has used him, giving him confidence and, above all, providing him with clear instructions on what he should and should not do. At the beginning of June, hardly anyone would have believed that he could be reintegrated into the squad.
The most striking example of how quickly things can change is certainly Samuel Chukwueze. Alongside Musah, he was retained by Amorim on the day of the coach’s presentation press conference, and the Nigerian winger has found a new tactical role that is allowing him to play regularly.
Deployed as a right-sided midfielder, Chukwueze has been given the responsibility of creating chances from the flank. Amorim has positioned him on the right so that he can cut inside onto his left foot, facing towards goal and with the possibility of attacking centrally and exploiting passing lanes towards teammates tasked with filling the penalty area.
And to think that until March, virtually everyone at Casa Milan was hoping Fulham would make Chukwueze’s loan permanent. Instead, the English club pulled out of the deal to sign him outright.
What about Milan's duo Tomori and Loftus-Cheek?
Then there is Fikayo Tomori, but above all Ruben Loftus-Cheek. While the defender has been reintegrated into the squad, even though he has yet to make an appearance, the former Chelsea midfielder remains something of a mystery. Amorim has tried to give him confidence and encourage him, but the results have not been consistent.
For both players, their contracts expire in June, with very little chance of a renewal.
