AC Milan closed the January transfer window with a real shake-up, completing six operations between incomings and outgoings in the last 24 hours of negotiations.
Coach Sergio Conceicao wasted no time and decided to move training to the afternoon today to have the new additions available immediately, with the aim of integrating them quickly in view of the next crucial commitments.
Among the new arrivals, Santiago Gimenez and Joao Felix stand out. The first, a Mexican striker bought from Feyenoord with a contract until 2029, was purchased to replace Alvaro Morata, who was loaned to Galatasaray.
The second, arriving on loan from Chelsea, has signed for the Rossoneri on loan. Conceicao aims to make them debut as soon as possible, perhaps as early as tomorrow night in the match against Roma in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia.
How the squad list is impacted
With five new signings (Walker, Gimenez, Joao Felix, Bondo and Sottil) and three Champions League spots available, Milan had to make some choices. According to UEFA regulations, teams can register a maximum of three new players for the knockout phase.
The management have decided to select Walker, Joao Felix and Gimenez at the moment, leaving out Bondo and Sottil. These three will replace Bennacer, Okafor and Morata, who left in the winter market.
For Serie A, the updated squad includes all new signings, with the reinstatement of Emerson Royal, who was left out of the previous January list to make room for Walker in the derby.
With the recent exits, the space needed to bring the Brazilian full-back back into the squad has now been created, even though he is still struggling with a calf injury.
How the team changes
The addition of new players and the subsequent updating of the rosters outline a Milan with more depth and alternatives in every department. In particular, in attack, the arrival of Gimenez and Joao Felix adds quality and versatility, while Walker brings experience to the defence.
As reported by MilanNews among other sources, Bondo and Sottil – although not included in the Champions League list – represent valid signings for Serie A where the commitments will be equally as hectic.
The winter transfer window has given Conceicao new weapons to face the second part of the season and the Portuguese coach’s objective is clear: to make Milan more competitive and ready to fight on all fronts.
How might the team look? Obviously it starts with Mike Maignan in goal and a defence made up of Walker on the right and Theo Hernandez on the left. Fikayo Tomori and Strahinja Pavlovic – who both said no to exits – have been identified at present by Conceicao as the best centre-back duo.
In midfield, things are not expected to change with Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders keeping their spot. The real change will be seen in the attacking midfield with Joao Felix ready to take up the No.10 role in Conceicao’s new 4-2-3-1.
The Portuguese would be flanked by his compatriot Rafael Leao on the left and then Christian Pulisic on the right, while Santiago Gimenez will play as the lone striker up front.
It would also be right to talk about a 4-4-2 system, or even more correctly a 4-4-1-1. The man of change from a tactical point of view will be Joao Felix, who can be used as a second striker too alongside Gimenez.
The Portuguese will have the task of adding quality up front, often swapping positions with Rafael Leao, both wide on the left and as a second striker. Conceicao is therefore working to build an unscrupulous Milan that must find some balance too.
