In youth graduate Tommaso Pobega and summer 2021 signing Yacine Adli, Milan welcomes two new profiles to help shape Stefano Pioli’s midfield corps, writes Matt Santangelo.

The honeymoon phase as newly crowned champions of Italy came and went, as soon after the ticker-tape parade ended, it was time to look ahead to defending the throne.

Upon initial assessment of the Scudetto-winning squad, several holes existed, requiring immediate attention in the summer market. Between the delay in the sale of the club to RedBird and dragged out renewals for directors Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara, the Rossoneri are lagging behind in their plans to help solidify the roster for Stefano Pioli.

So far, Junior Messias and Alessandro Florenzi have been redeemed on club-friendly options from Crotone and Roma respectively, while Antonio Mirante extended for an additional year.

Divock Origi on a free transfer from Liverpool is the only new acquisition made to help elevate an attack that was sorely lacking consistent goal production, and still must be strengthened out wide and behind to support the forwards.

While Maldini, Massara and Moncada continue to work behind the scenes, eyes have turned towards two young, fresh new faces that have already graced Milanello with their presence in hopes of carving out a key first-team role.

Academy graduate Tommaso Pobega enters the fray with a red and black heart that will surely
be met with a warm welcome by the loyal supporters.

The Italian international has been within the club ranks since 2013 before spending a few of his
formative years on loan in the lower divisions with Ternana and Pordenone.

Pobega signed on loan with newly promoted Spezia for the 2020-21 season, lending a large
hand in Vincenzo Italiano’s Serie A salvation. Between all of the various loan spells and chatter
surrounding a potential transfer of Pobega, Milan brass had remained adamant to retain rights
of their youngster, and in 21-22 on loan at Torino, we understood why that was the case.

In his current form and phase of development, Pobega looks to be a jack of all trades
midfielder, but master of none, which is no slight at all. It speaks to his well-rounded skill-set
and ability to provide a bit of everything to be a flexible asset for Pioli.

Robust, physical, and with a penchant to drive the ball forward, Pobega offers quite a bit. His
work-rate enables him to contribute on both ends as a box-to-box profile, something Pioli will
surely enjoy having in his progressive play style.

Over the last two seasons, the 22-year old Pobega has contributed 13 goal contributions, a
sneaky productive output that Milan could use more of from their midfielders. Though his
assignment could alter a bit in a 4-2-3-1, he should still find himself bursting into the final third
and onto the edge of the penalty area to offer more than just a defensive approach.

Meanwhile, Adli presents a different look, possessing more technical means as a playmaker
and creative cog.

The former Paris Saint-Germain prospect, who has spent the previous four seasons in Ligue 1
with Bordeaux, was purchased by Italian giants last summer for €10 million before being sent
back out to French club to round out his game further.

Initially, it was met with a bit of confusion from fans, not so much because of skepticism in his
potential, rather the allocation of funds towards a player that will not aid in the title push Milan
inevitably went on.

In fact, there were times last season where many had completely forgotten
about his transfer. However, a simple appraisal of his game will tell you that in Adli, there is yet
another potential young midfield star for Pioli to polish.

Whether it be as an advanced playmaker or a traditional midfielder, Adli has a bevy of tools to
render success on Italian soil.

The Frenchman moves with grace, fully adept as a dribbler to create additional space for
himself to penetrate and break lines with a pass; vision, awareness and the ability to pick out
his man in transitional play are all there.

There is a sleek, silky approach to Adli’s play style, shown in the manner in which he executes
sweeping passes to change the field of of play or finagle his way out of congestion. Pioli
should be able to utilize him as both a midfielder who can take the air out of the ball to dictate
a more controlling possession-based football when necessary, while also releasing him forward
to be involved in incisive interchanging play.

Last season saw Adli score one goal and provide a further seven assists, but there is the real
potential to increase his volume by unlocking small defences in a short field – an area Brahim
struggles with.

In the midst of the market madness that is likely to commence until deadline day, Milan fans
should be delighted with two midfielders who look primed to become the latest beneficiaries of
a project backed by belief in youth.

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