Former defender Alessandro Nesta was unimpressed with Milan’s work in the transfer market and suggested that star forward Rafael Leao ‘lacks a little something.’
The Rossoneri have only picked up one player in the January transfer window, signing unknown Colombian goalkeeper Devis Vásquez for €470,000 from Paraguayan outfit Guaraní. Fans had hoped to see a new backup shot stopper arrive, capable of filling in for the injured Mike Maignan, but it’s clear that Vásquez will take some time to adapt.
Speaking to BoboTV, Nesta first discussed what he’d change at Milan this season.
“I’d do a different transfer market. They have to reinforce the bench, they’re always the same and you can’t go at 2000 miles per hour for two years. Pioli doesn’t have players who come in and change the game. And then I would go all in on a centre forward.
“Ibra and Giroud are now their age and in the 60th minute, after they also helped you in the pressing, you have to take them off. You need someone who will stretch the team and score.
“It’s time for the club to make an effort. After winning a Scudetto like that, you have to put in extra money or at least make it clear, saying we can’t spend and let’s get on with the boys.”
He gave his thoughts on the Rossoneri’s various on-pitch mistakes this campaign.
“I believe that compared to last year the psychophysical condition is different. They always play like this, they always go to catch the opponents high and go 1 vs 1. But in your own half you have to defend differently, they risk a lot and stretch too much.
“Last year they were defending forward as well, but this year they don’t press as hard and so they get into trouble. They stay in the middle, in the midfield and you pay for that.
“Now I think it’s because of tiredness and physical condition, but in the long run their football is not cheap, what they do in the long run they pay for it physically.”
The former defender weighed in on Theo Hernandez and Leao’s drop in form recently.
“Theo and Leao are extraordinary players. The Frenchman I think is already ready for a top club, now he played perhaps his worst game with Sassuolo but you have to weigh up what he has left from the World Cup. But I have no doubt that he can play in any team in the world.
“For Rafa I see it differently. He too, as a potential, can play anywhere but he still lacks a little something. He often doesn’t recognise space, he’s strong with the ball, but you can’t always pick up the ball and go.
“You also have to attack the space without the ball between your feet, make different movements otherwise the opponents understand you and stop you immediately.”
The 2006 World Cup winner spoke about Juventus this season.
“For me there is something wrong. Their game has to improve, especially in possession, you can’t defend all the time otherwise you do it underwater, you lose courage. For me we need more ideas when they have the ball.”
Finally, Nesta gave his thoughts on Bianconeri coach Massimiliano Allegri.
“About Allegri I can say that when he coached us at Milan he was attacking. We played with Cassano, Robinho, Ibra, Seedorf, with lots of players. But it was a different football, we did the offensive phase with many players, today the demand is different.
“For me the teams are better prepared, they have an idea. The coach is an intelligent person, then one person may like him, others may not, everyone can have their own ideas. For me he has to get there, if he wants to stay at that level he has to get there and he has to make that leap in quality.”
Milan currently sit 5th in the Serie A table, tied on points with Lazio and Atalanta and 15 points behind league leaders Napoli.
“Rafael Leao ‘lacks a little something.’”
Very polite way of saying it.