Antonio Vitiello believes it is a shame how Theo Hernandez’s time at AC Milan ended, but now the funds are there for an ambitious summer.
Initially it seemed that joining Al-Hilal was off the table for Theo despite the huge salary offer, as the left-back wanted to stay in Europe. Atletico Madrid were his preference, but they did not offer anywhere close to the same transfer fee, so no agreement was reached with Milan.
Atletico then moved on, no other clubs came in and the Saudi offer was the only one left for Theo, at least without wanting to wait weeks to figure out his future. Thus, on Monday it was reported that he has finally changed his mind and will complete a move to Simone Inzaghi’s team.
Vitiello published his weekly column for MilanNews and he dedicated the majority of it to the latest outgoing from Milan, that of Theo, and what it means for the budget that is available.
The title reads: ‘Farewell announced, a defeat for everyone. Now 100 million to invest: let’s move on to the second phase’.
“It’s a shame how it ended with Theo Hernandez. The most prolific defender (in terms of league goals) in the club’s history is leaving after six seasons, one of the most important players in Milan’s last few years, has accepted a transfer to Saudi Arabia,” the column begins.
“Earning 25-30 million euros in just one season compared to the contractual expiration is not bad at all, the figure can be accepted. Here, however, we are discussing what Theo could have been with Milan and how he was managed in the past months, when he had weaknesses and difficulties.
“Trying to recover a player who for years has been labeled as one of the best full-backs in the world. Celebrating that Theo has left Milan is a defeat for everyone. It’s a story that should teach how to manage champions, that perhaps even great players need to be followed and helped in the down phases.
“Now Theo will take insults or there will be the usual narratives fed based on how the wind blows, that’s how it works in social football, but we’ll see who will be the replacement and what he will be able to do at Milan.
“We have seen plenty of right and left backs who have become shooting stars. There was only one Theo, after all he is the only one who in six seasons scored 31 goals and made 24 assists.
“The player is also to blame. At 27 years old, accepting Arabia is a form of surrender. It’s okay to earn 20 million a year, but he could and should have had different attitudes. It’s a shame how it ended. This is why the defeat is the responsibility of everyone, player and club.
“Now Milan with the sales of Theo, Reijnders and Kalulu has 100 million to spend on the incoming market. There are many roles to strengthen. Two full-backs, two midfielders, a striker and maybe a central defender.
“It will take all the skill of Igli Tare to make the best use of the economic resources and make Milan competitive. Selling Theo and Reijnders is not a good start, now we will see how the rest of the market will be.
“Xhaka is the most advanced operation, Modric will arrive after the Club World Cup with Real Madrid. Leoni is a target in defence but he costs a lot and above all there is competition. In attack they are looking for a player who has already had experience in Serie A, someone ready to immediately pair with Gimenez.”
