Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Achilles tendon injury seems to be more severe than initially feared, leading to questions regarding his future with Milan.
The 40-year-old was forced off the pitch during the first half of Milan’s Serie A clash against Juventus on January 23 and has yet to return to group training since. Ibrahimovic has scored eight goals in 19 appearances across all competitions this term but has already missed 14 games due to injuries.
Milan have developed and improved massively since Ibrahimovic returned to San Siro in January 2020. His leadership led a young group of players toward the first Champions League placement in eight years, but with his €7m-a-year deal expiring on June 30, questions are raised on whether he can still play a key role for the Rossoneri in the future.
Both Stefano Pioli and Davide Calabria insisted before the derby that the Swede is still crucial on and off the pitch for the Rossoneri. At the same time, Paolo Maldini claimed that the striker is open to signing a contract extension with the Serie A giants.
“Zlatan knows what he wants, he doesn’t fake anything, he knows what the possible agreement with Milan could be. If he doesn’t feel like continuing, he’ll be the first to say so,” the director said before Saturday’s match against Inter.
“His idea is to continue. Zlatan will never be a burden on this team, but only a resource.”
Ibrahimovic missed 19 games due to injuries last term, but this didn’t prevent Milan from reaching a top-four finish. However, the Rossoneri signed Olivier Giroud from Chelsea in the summer, knowing that Ibra would not be fit to play consistently this season.
The Swede is Milan’s highest earner and if the Rossoneri part ways with him in at the end of the season, they could have more financial resources to afford a top striker in the future.
Milan dealt blow as Ibrahimovic’s injury is worse than expected
The likes of Alexander Isak, Jonathan David and Andrea Belotti, who is available as a free agent, have been linked with a summer move to San Siro, while Milan signed 18-year-old striker Marko Lazetic in January, ending Pietro Pellegri’s loan.
Ibrahimovic’s charisma and personality would be dearly missed if Milan decided to part ways with their striker at the end of the season, so club directors must think twice before letting him leave.
The striker’s future may also be linked with Sweden’s World Cup play-offs in March. Ibrahimovic returned from international retirement one year ago and hopes to play at Qatar 2022.
He doesn’t have to leave Milan altogether. Ibrahimovic himself will know that he isn’t playing as often and as consistently as necessary to be effective, and a coaching role of some kind will already be earmarked for him, for when the time for him to stop playing comes.
Lower salary, performance-based bonuses and a coaching role lined up, even player/coach and then solid league win, cup win, CL qalif, and goal bonuses…
Zlatan is a phenomenon and losing him would indeed be a loss, even at his age and injury proneness ..
I doubt he will accept a lower salary. His ego won’t allow it. I think it’s better to thank him, then part ways with him and his horrible agent. Replace him with Belotti.
Just a reminder that he leads the team in goals last year and again this year. Yes, he will not be able to play every game but having someone that can put the ball in the back of the net like him can always help, not to mention his mentality that has surely helped the younger players. If he is willing to take less money and performance based incentives, why wouldn’t you keep him?
I am not sure if Belotti would be a good addition to this team. His two last season have been abysmal and he is not going to get younger…
Zlatan, in the other hand, has to go when the season ends. I love the guy, but the time is up for him at the top
I’d reckon the only reason milan are considering it is for the ‘Ibra effect’ that he brings in mental strength and motivation.
I bet the directors are worried if he goes then the rest of the team will become a bunch of directionles whiners again like the bad old days.
It’s a risk they will have to take unfortunately. All our grandparents leave us at some point, so might as well send him to the old folks home now.
Hope he renews. With Ibra and Giroud leading the line, the future is bright for Milan.
I personally would love to see him in player/coach roles, as for his salary, I am pretty sure Elliott would know better how much he deserves, and if Elliott is paying him, it means he’s worth it, as they don’t even cave in to Dollarumma, Hakan and Kessie.
There’s also a silver lining behind his limited playing time. Last season we were like headless chicken without Ibra, and dropped a lot of points. But this season, his presence isn’t that badly missed so the injury is kind of easing to the future without him.
The only problem if he continues is whether Ibra himself is willing to have his role reduced? Otherwise, it would be hard to attract strikers in their prime knowing that they won’t be automatic choice in the front line. I think getting Belotti makes a lot of sense next season, as he’s free and would be playing for his boyhood team. If things don’t work out then we won’t lose out much apart from getting stuck with his salaries I suppose. Getting Bellotti would also means that we can direct the fund to bolster other areas such as RW and #10.
Yes. Milan needs to be more realistic. The guy was great but go write some new history and stop relying on grandpa to do it for you. He’s as tall as a tree and at 40 his physique makes him even more susceptible to injury. You want him as a coach, fine but not as a player.
@vinnie I think you are on to something with this
Lower salary, performance-based bonuses and a coaching role lined up, even player/coach and then solid league win, cup win, CL qalif, and goal bonuses…
Zlatan undoubtfully bring something mentally to the team, but whether it is worth 7 mill Euro is more questionable.
Zlatan in a role with a pay like Vinnie suggests, plus Giroud and Belotti and I think ACM are good for a few more years inm regards to the CF.
More urgent is a RW and CB though.