The long international break is the real starting point for rebuilding the relationship between Fikayo Tomori and Milan. From Tuesday, when Milanello reopens its gates for the resumption of training, the English defender and Ruben Amorim will have the chance to work together every day, with fewer people around them.
These will be important days to repair the rift that emerged on August 12, when Tomori, Fofana, Gimenez and Nkunku were informed of the club’s decision to put them on the market and that they would not be part of the technical project.
While the other three eventually found new clubs on loan, Tomori was the most firm in his position. The ex Chelsea player always made one condition clear: either a proposal that suited him arrived, or he would remain at Milan, with one year still left on his contract. His determination gradually turned into a kind of intransigence, as relayed via the Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport in today's print edition.
The final days of the transfer window were intense and, in some ways, chaotic. First came Tomori’s trip to London with his agents to consider Aston Villa’s proposal, which ultimately did not materialise. He then returned to Milan, where he was welcomed back into the squad due to two factors: Matteo Gabbia’s ankle injury, which has now fully healed, and Milan’s inability to sign Gonçalo Inacio or the alternative defensive targets they had considered.
His return was not limited to the Serie A squad. He was also included in the squad list for the league phase of the Europa League, although Terracciano was preferred to him in the opening game against Benfica.
Now a new phase of this collaboration begins, one that will have to last at least until the January transfer window. Milan could then move to fill the quality gaps it was unable to address in the summer, and it will be important to understand whether Tomori’s return will have been merely a numerical necessity or whether he will actually be used.
As things stand, Tomori has watched all four matches for which he has been called up from the bench, without ever coming close to being brought on. That is why the winter transfer window could reopen the possibility of an exit. As things stand, there will be no talks over a contract renewal between Milan and Tomori, with the Rossoneri instead set to offer new deals to Christian Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot and Strahinja Pavlovic.
The demanding run of fixtures between October and November will be decisive in determining what role Tomori will have, also in light of the possible tactical changes Amorim could introduce. Against Lecce, for example, Gila was already used as an attacking full-back.
The international break offers the Englishman a chance to start again and find a useful role within the new Milan, with a defence that could still have need of him.
