Into the summer silly season we go! There’s a lot coming back but also some key holes to be filled. Who’s all back? How long are they signed til? Find out below! Who are we gonna buy? I have no clue!
Current Squad
Keepers
Maignan (2026) remains the starter, Sportiello (2027) a very improved backup and Nava (2027) is the recently promoted primavera kid. That leaves a spot for a 3rd string emergency guy. Doesn’t really matter who that is. All good with the first team.
Vasquez remains a Milan player after having some decent showings last year in England and in Serie B. He will likely go on loan again. Noah Raveyre (2028) started for the Primavera. Alessandro Longoni (2026) is the U17 keeper and starts for the U17 national team.
Maignan has slid back the last couple years but is still clear first choice. His name has come up in rumors but I don’t think he will leave. Sportiello is an excellent backup who may get a look from smaller clubs. If he wants a loan for full time action the club may honor it. It would be a risk considering how often Maignan misses time though. The depth behind them at all levels is solid.
Defense
Center Backs first. Tomori (2027), Thiaw (2027), Kalulu (2027), Gabbia (2026) look to be the main 4 CBs unless we dabble in the market. If I would have told you 12 months ago Gabbia would be our most dependable CB down the stretch you would have thought I’m crazy. It’s the truth though.
Tomori’s mistakes and cards seem to creep up year after year. Thiaw is still a work in progress but is getting there. Not full time starter material yet. Kalulu may yet be the best of them all but he just hasn’t been available full time the last 2 years. I do believe this is a spot that gets addressed. You need at least 5 CBs going into a season. That 5th guy won’t be a youth player. Sorry Simic fans. Whether that means adding 1 piece or selling off a piece or two and adding pieces is a different story.
Fullback we have Calabria (2025), Florenzi (2025) and Terraciano (2028) on the right and Theo (2026) and Jimenez (2028) on the left. FBT is still around but he will be given away I’m sure. There are a lot of calls for a new RB but I think that’s just smoke and agent talk. If anyone is brought in you gotta move 1 or maybe 2 bodies out.
With both Calabria and Florenzi expiring I think you gotta see if Terraciano can be the guy first. If he’s the guy then you have that guy signed for 3 more years. If not, the maybe you find Florenzi a landing spot and find a new starter.
Midfield
Current group we have is Adli (2026), Bennacer (2027), Pobega (2027), RLC (2027), Musah (2028) and Reijnders (2028). Of those the only ones I would like to see go or could go are probably Pobega and Bennacer. I imagine Pobega wants more time and he’s had some nice runs on loan with other teams. He is also a home grown guy which looks nice on the books. It wouldn’t be anything great but I imagine we can get say 8-12 million for him.
Bennacer? I just think he looks done. Like he’s 26 going on 36. Maybe the offseason does him some good and he comes back next year looking refreshed. Algeria have no tournaments which should help.
Probably a decision point for Adli this summer. Really depends how he fits the system of the new coach. Also could be the right team comes along and really wants what he offers.
Reijnders is fine. Great ball mover. Great vision. Musah is young and can fill a bunch of spots. The key is figuring out what he does best. He’s still only 21. RLC can fill multiple roles as well. What we need to make it all click is a true DM. Get that player and I think everything else falls into place.
Forwards
Th current group we have is Leão (2028), Okafor (2028), Pulisic (2027) and Chukwueze (2028). All 4 of those guys can fill multiple roles in the attack which is perfect. All 4 had solid years last year with room to improve as well. Pulisic is the elder statesman of the group and he turns 26 in September.
Jovic is free as of July 1 but there have been strong rumors he returns. That makes sense as no matter who we sign up top we will need a backup/rotation player to go with him. If Jovic is cool with that he’s perfect for the part. He’s only 26 himself.
Where we go in this area depends a lot on the new coach and his system. Do we want a false 9 like Zirkzee? Do we want a big hold type like Sesko? Maybe a guy halfway between like Openda? Maybe Fonseca REALLY wants Jonathan David? Too early to say.
Summer Signings
No one new yet. There is news that Atalanta want to haggle on CDK’s release clause. That’s normal. Remember we asked for and got a discount on Tonali from Brescia. I still think CDK eventually goes. Also Bologna has turned down redeeming Saelemaekers. No worry. He’s a fine piece for us to bring back. I also think you could easily get 15-20 for him from other teams.
Rumor Mill
Some names with a sentence or two on each.
ZIRKZEE I’m not a big fan of false 9 type players. He’s good but I don’t believe he’s at the level we need.
DOVBYK Don’t tell me being linked to a Ukarinian doesn’t warm your heart and have you dreaming of Sheva.
SESKO I might go out and buy a jersey if we sign him. Exactly the sort of #9 that I want.
BROJA Young Albanian that might be the dark horse here. Not ready to be the guy, but might be brought in if Jovic isn’t retained.
FOFANA Everything we need in a DM. Yes, please!
RABIOT I like him, but he blows hot and cold and will want an increase over the 9 million Juve gave him. No chance.
BUONGIORNO Smells like agent talk trying to get a bigger fee for his client.
ROYAL Speaking of agent talk…no way.
Honestly, until we have a coach in place I wouldn’t get too excited about anything.
Wrap Up
Too soon for anything to happen. With the Euros and Copa America both going on it’s probably a good summer to not have a bunch of business to do. Go outside. Talk a walk. Enjoy the summer.
Cheers.
Lisi