Head coach Ruben Amorim can use the lengthy international break to further develop his tactical principles, which already began to take shape against Lecce after a somewhat uncertain opening phase.
Amorim’s teams always start from a 3-4-2-1 formation with a positional structure. He did so at Sporting and, albeit with less success, at Manchester United. The attacking midfielders play a central role in his system: the Portuguese coach gives them freedom as long as they create play by moving inside.
In this sense, Pulisic represents a more vertical evolution. What is missing, therefore, is a left-footed attacking midfielder, as Hutchinson can contribute to the rotations but is not yet ready to be a starter.
Endrick the favourite for Milan?
There is one name circled in red and sitting firmly at the top of the list for Cardinale and Amorim: Real Madrid's Endrick, writes Calcio Mercato. The Brazilian international was already the subject of two weeks of negotiations in August, but José Mourinho’s resistance quickly put an end to Milan’s ambitions.
Endrick is highly appreciated because he possesses outstanding technical qualities, is left-footed and can play either as a second striker or as the lone attacking focal point. In short, he would be the perfect signing for this Milan side.
The feasibility of the operation depends on Real Madrid’s assessment and whether Florentino Pérez decides to open the door to a transfer, even if only on loan. Should that happen, Milan would be ready to sit at a negotiating table where other interested clubs are already present, including Roma.
Sanches as an alternative for Milan?
The Rossoneri continue to work on bringing Amorim a reinforcement in the attacking midfield role, and one of the more likely names is Alvyn Sanches, the 2003-born Swiss player whose services belong to Young Boys.
He is a left-footed attacking midfielder with the ideal characteristics for the former Manchester United coach’s system, which calls for two players to operate in support of the central striker. Sanches is considered one of the best young Swiss talents around, and Milan’s scouting department have appreciated and followed him for some time.
Gardiner has put his name forward, but everything now depends on Gerry Cardinale’s decision.
Hutchinson's future:
He performed well during his spell as a substitute at the Olimpico against Lazio, but much less so when given a starting opportunity against Benfica at San Siro in the Europa League opener.
It is still far too early to make even a partial assessment of Omari Hutchinson. The 2003-born Redhill native joined Milan on a paid loan costing around €4 million.
Clearly, the mission facing the Englishman, who also holds a Jamaican passport, is a complicated one considering that the purchase option agreed with Nottingham Forest is set at close to €50 million. He will need to produce something extraordinary to convince Cardinale to invest such a significant sum to make his move permanent next summer.
