Former Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini admits Sandro Tonali’s sale to Newcastle was ‘shocking’ but new signings including Tijjani Reijnders and Christian Pulisic can help the Rossoneri and Stefano Pioli.
Milan are ready to welcome Reijnders from AZ Alkmaar with the Dutch midfielder expected to undergo his medical with the Serie A giants on Tuesday. He’s the second summer signing in midfield for the Rossoneri after Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Reijnders will land in Milan on Monday undergoing his medical the following day. He will join for €25m including add-ons, signing a €1.7m-a-year contract.
“I have the feeling that Stefano Pioli will use a three-man midfielder more often this season. He already did it last term, but now it will be different,” Ambrosini told Sunday’s printed edition of Gazzetta (page 11).
“Pioli is working on a dynamic playing style with midfielders who can cover bigger parts of the pitch. Then, Rafael Leao will have to make the difference and prove he deserves the starring role Milan have given him.”
Midfield is surely the department that has changed the most so far given that the Rossoneri have also sold Tonali to Newcastle United.
“His sale was shocking not only because Milan lost a great player, but also because they lost their soul,” noted Ambrosini.
“Tonali can be replaced technically, but it will be more difficult to reproduce that special thing he was able to bring on the pitch. Those who remained, Theo Hernandez, Fikayo Tomori and Mike Maignan, will have to take a slice of Tonali’s heart and bring it onto the pitch. Without Maldini, Milan also lost their soul off the pitch and Pioli has more responsibility given that he’ll have to cover more roles alone. It won’t be easy.”
What will Loftus-Cheek and Reijnders need to replace Tonali?
“Loftus-Cheek can play everywhere in midfield. English players usually take time to adapt, but he will have to understand what Pioli wants soon.
“Reijnders will be the pivot in central midfield, he is not a classic Regista, like Jorginho. He is dynamic and aggressive. With him, Milan will press opponents even more. Reijnders can bring goals and it’s important. Milan have been lacking goals from midfielders, that’s one way to explain the gap with Napoli and Inter.”
Ambrosini also suggested a new signing to further strengthen Milan’s midfield.
“Piotr Zieliski, he is a mezzala who causes trouble to opponents and scores.”
Christian Pulisic has been Milan’s big summer signing in attack so far this summer. How will Pioli deploy him?
“I think wide on the right wing,” responded Ambrosini.
“When he was at Borussia Dortmund he used to cut inside and Milan are similar. A courageous team and perhaps a little foolish. Both he and Loftus-Cheek are in a similar moment too. They have joined Milan to relaunch themselves and they can make it.”