Amidst ongoing renewal talks, several Milan players made strong claims throughout the course of the club’s knockout phase-clinching win over RB Salzburg, writes Matt Santangelo.
Wednesday evening’s hosting of Austrian outfit RB Salzburg was a high-stakes affair for the Rossoneri for many reasons. A win or draw would not only secure a spot in the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in nine years, but it would also see the Italian giants add in excess of €60m in revenue to the club’s coffers, according to Calcio e Finanza. Of course, inside a San Siro packed to the rafters, Stefano Pioli’s men rode the back of Olivier Giroud’s two goals and two assists to a commanding 4-0 win.
Without question, it was a crucial achievement for the defending Serie A champions who now await their matchup in the Round of 16 on Monday when the draw takes place. While we digest the result from Wednesday night and soon understand their next challenger in the tournament, it is worth highlighting the performances of those who are currently in ongoing conversations for new contracts.
In defence, Pierre Kalulu’s maturation has been quite impressive when you consider he joined the club for a modest €480k back in 2020 and arrived from Lyon without a single first-team appearance to his name.
Whether it be in central defence or as a right-back, the U23 Frenchman has taken any role delegated by Pioli in stride, delivering quality performances with consistency. Kalulu’s positional awareness, reading of the game and confidence lends credence to a talent that, while showing noticeable maturity, still has a higher level to reach.
Boasting endless potential and regular starting status in the back, renewing Kalulu’s current deal set to expire in 2025 should see him also receive the salary bump he so rightfully earned.
At 36, Giroud continued to cement his big-game player status. Throughout his entire playing career, the Frenchman’s embraced the biggest and brightest stages football has to offer by delivering key moments for club and country.
The UCL Player of the Week’s contributions against Salzburg saw him round out the group with four goals and two assists in six matches, in addition to an already respectable domestic campaign thus far. His current deal is to expire in June 2023, but due to his role and seamless fit within this young roster, renewing for an additional year on a club-friendly wage seems like a logical decision, especially if he is to undertake a Zlatan-like role should the Swede call it quits after season’s end.
Where matters become a bit more complex is with star men Ismaël Bennacer and Rafael Leão. The Algerian arrived from Empoli after winning AFCON 2019 Player of the Tournament for his winning country and has been a sturdy presence in the midfield ever since. The tidy play, precise passing, press resistance and reliability to turn in a strong shift make players like Bennacer irreplaceable when you consider how vital he is to the double pivot alongside Sandro Tonali.
For many, the former Arsenal academy prospect was Milan’s top player throughout the group. When you can deliver as often as he does, it is hard to rationalize letting him hit the market without tabling a strong offer. Conflicting reports will share different demands from Bennacer and his entourage, but regardless, the 24-year-old’s current €1.5m wages might need to be tripled if a new deal is to be reached; a small price to pay for a top-shelf midfielder yet to reach his prime.
A tantalizing, mesmeric dribbler who never hides from a challenge, Leão’s been brimming with confidence over the last 10 months, all while wearing a smile on his face. Paramount to Milan’s recent title win and now their UCL run, Serie A’s Most Valuable Player has it all to be one of the game’s top players, evident in his recent 14th-place finish in the Ballon d’Or voting.
An undeniable talent armed with the tools to decide matches solely on his own, the mercurial Portuguese forward fared well during the group, even if he did not get on the scoresheet as much. His entourage is reportedly seeking an estimated €6-7m salary as part of any new deal for his client, a large increase on his current €1.4m earnings. It may be a requested sum management can rationalize disbursing given his immense quality and the club’s financial position. However, one significant hurdle to clear is settling with Leão’s former club Sporting who are reportedly owed €19m in total compensation after he terminated his contract in 2018.
Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara stood their ground last summer when Chelsea came crawling for the 23-year-old’s signature, referring the Londoners to his €150m release clause. As time passes though, and a FIFA World Cup showcasing this month beckons, it becomes increasingly more difficult to find a solution.
It isn’t necessarily a matter of whether or not Leão is worth the figure his agents are lobbying for, because in this current football climate, the price is right given the heights he can attain. Instead, can the club show it has serious intentions of retaining its top players or be forced into selling prematurely to avoid a repeat of past mistakes.