From 30 Players to 22, let us help Mr. Galliani!

NOW THAT Radja Nainggolan is a confirmed Roma player, one issue needs to be addressed; Adriano Galliani stated in an interview that we already have 30 players in our squad, players need to leave before new ones are signed.

I was pretty surprised to hear that we have 30 players. THIRTY. Of course injuries have adversely affected this team throughout the season, a situation that is no different from any other team. But why have we made such below-par signings that have forced the club to carry a wage list for 30 players while the depth in the squad is almost non-existent.

Did you know, if tomorrow De Sciglio were to get injured, our back up on the right flank would be Cristian Zaccardo. In attack if Alessandro Matri gets injured we only have Giampaolo Pazzini as his replacement. Wait, that actually sounds good.

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So how do we fix this? Let us Rossoneri help out Mr. Galliani a little bit here. I have compiled a list of players that Milan should loan out or sell as soon as possible.

Goalkeepers

It is extremely hard to have serious depth amongst goalkeepers. A position that is primarily dominated by one player all season, always makes the number 2 man unhappy. Abbiati dominates Milan’s number 1 spot. Amelia is right behind him with Gabriel and Coppola also available.

Gabriel (Loan): Gabriel looks like a great prospect for the Rossoneri but he is not yet ready to take over as the number 1 man. He is far too aggressive in the penalty box and doesn’t always play on the goal line. He likes to attack and close spaces for opposing players, but overdoes it sometimes, example Gervinho against Roma. He also loves punching his own players whenever a cross is delivered. Likelihood: High.

Defenders

When your team gives up 26 goals after 18 games two seasons in a row, changes need to be made.

Daniele Bonera (Sell): The only surviving defender of the 2007 CL victory is probably still at Milan just for that reason. He is at Milan because he is “experienced” and you need someone who’s been through it all to guide the youngsters. But let’s face it, Milan has given up 26 goals in 18 fixtures, two more than the 24 they gave up all season in 2010-11 when Thiago Silva and Alessandro Nesta were Milan’s centre backs. So what is he really here for?  Likelihood: Low.

Kevin Constant (Sell): Who knew replacing Paolo Maldini on the left would be this tough.. I guess we all did. Constant is one in the long line of Favalli, Didac Vila, Antonini, Mesbah etc. But now we have De Sciglio. With Abate fit on the right and De Sciglio on left Milan look good. Emanuelson has been impressive as of late so Constant is really a waste. Milan would be better off investing in a midfielder on the left flank who can also play left back in case De Sciglio and Urby are injured, but the answer is not Constant. He gives up possession easily and his trickery almost never works. Likelihood: Medium.

Jherson Vergara (Loan): The 2013 South American Youth Championship is what drew Milan’s attention to the young Colombian. He took over the no. 33 shirt from Thiago Silva but it never looked like the 19 year old would break into the first team. He surprisingly performed well in the preseason but a dislocated shoulder before the start of the campaign saw the youngster sidelined. He needs experience and it is likely he will get it elsewhere. But Milan should not let go of this player because he may have more to offer in a season or two. Likelihood: High.

Cristian Zaccardo (Sell): I never understood this deal. Milan brought Zaccardo in return for the sale and loan of Djamel Mesbah and Rodney Strasser respectively. Out went a 28 year old and 22 year old, in came a 31 year old, while the club claimed to focus on youth. Neither Mesbah nor Zaccardo would have seen much playtime but what kind of a deal is that? Rumour has it; Milan might sell Zaccardo to Montpellier. Likelihood: High.

Midfielders

In his debut year Massimiliano Allegri was commended for extracting the most out of his midfielders when it came to scoring goals. In Ancelotti’s final three seasons and Leonardo’s one, Milan’s midfield scored 54 goals, while in Allegri’s first four Milan has already scored 64 with half a season to go. Let’s see which players could be replaced with better ones to increase this impressive midfield tally.

Sulley Muntari (Sell): If there is anyone Allegri truly has the hearts for on this team, it is Muntari. Week in and week out Muntari gets the start for the team. He is not a bad player; Muntari has scored 5 goals this season most amongst all midfielders. But, he is replaceable. If Galliani needs to sell players, Muntari is one he can get some money for, he is 29, relatively fast, experienced, has a knack for scoring goals. This sale could allow Milan to invest in a better and more consistent midfielder who is less erratic than Sulley. Likelihood: Low.

Antonio Nocerino (Sell): This is the one player, for which I optimistically state medium when it comes to likelihood of sale but I think it leans more towards low. Nocerino was Milan’s second highest goal-scorer in his first season. We all remember his hatrick against Parma with an astonishing second goal, but Nocerino’s fall from grace is even more surprising. He gives possession far too easily, has primarily been relegated to the bench starting only 6 games in Serie A this season with zero goals. Time to cash in on the 28 year old. Likelihood: Medium.

Forwards

Alessandro Matri (Sell/Loan/Anything): €11 million signing. Took over Inzaghi’s number 9. 15 Games. 1 Goal. I’ll let the reader comments take over from here on. Likelihood: We’re all hopeful.

There you go Mr. Galliani, your team has been reduced from 30 to 22 players. I respectfully accept that you may not perform these particular trades, but I do hope players are loaned, sold, and signed. Trades that will make Milan a top 3 contender, Champions League quarter finalist and hopefully Italian cup winner.

All readers are encouraged to provide their opinion. Let me know which moves you agree and disagree with.

To help Mr. CEO further, provide a replacement player for the one you wish to be sold/loaned.