Can AC Milan Take Juve’s Serie A Title?

AC Milan are once again making waves in the world of football.

The Rossoneri’s new Chinese owners have come in and made some statement signings this summer. 

The most notable new recruit has been Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus in a €40m deal. That move showed they can still attract a world-class talent and it has also weakened the Italian champions.

For me, Bonucci was Juve’s best defender and he’ll certainly add class, leadership and a winning mentality to his new side. The thirty year old is one of the world’s best centre-halves, so getting him at €40m is a huge coup for Milan.

But can they really wrestle the title away from the Old Lady this season?

Well I’m not so sure.

Yes Milan do look a much stronger unit now and seem to have a lot of things going for them at the moment.

They’ve done well in the transfer market.

Franck Kessié looks like he can be a top player in the near future. The twenty year old scored six times in Serie A last year for Atalanta. The powerful central midfielder is comfortable on the ball, provides decent distribution and likes to drive forward.

But the young Ivorian is still a bit immature and it would help if he had an experienced hand playing alongside him.

That task will probably fall at the feet of fellow new-boy Lucas Biglia. The Argentine deep-laying playmaker has spent the past four seasons at Lazio, meaning he has plenty of experience in the Italian top flight.

If Milan are to do something special in the up and coming season, then it could be down to these two midfielders combining to great effect right from the get-go.

Young Portuguese international Andre Silva has come in with a €38m price tag. The twenty-one year old scored twenty-one times for FC Porto last term but that’s been his only full season with the Portuguese giant’s first team. His eight goals in thirteen caps for his national team have also helped catch the eye.

Another technically gifted footballer, Silva can also put a shift in and work the channels. Nice and direct when he gets the ball inside the box. It will be interesting to see if he can cope with the big fee attached to his head and if he can deal with the pressures that comes with leading Milan’s line.

Creative maestro Hakan Calhanoglu joins from Bayer Leverkusen. The Turkish international certainly has talent but he needs to show it on a regular basis at the San Siro.

Attacking full-back Ricardo Rodriguez has attracted interest from big clubs for a few years now, the fact no one made concrete bids for him makes you wonder if they had a reason not to solidify their interest. He’s equally adept at defending as he is attacking, so he should excel in Italy like Cafu did in the past for Milan.

He possesses a terrific engine on him and is also strong in the air. If Milan go with three at the back they can uses the Swiss man in the back three or in his more favoured fullback role.

Argentine defender Mateo Musacchio looks to be a solid purchase. The international centre-back is good in the air and he also reads the game well. He’ll no doubt improve and settle in well with Bonucci in beside him!

Milan also have a very talented coach in Vincenzo Montella and he’ll be the one tasked with finding the best system for this new squad. I’d imagine 3-4-3 with wingbacks will be his favoured choice to begin with, although he may also look at a 3-5-2 formation.

I like the fact that AC Milan also have a good core of young Italian stars coming through. Alessio Romagnoli, Manuel Locatelli, Andrea Conti and Patrick Cutrone all look like fine prospects. Hopefully Milan’s big spending spree doesn’t stall their careers.

Keeping Gianluigi Donnarumma at the club is a major plus. The young keeper is fast becoming a world-class talent. Technically sound and he also seems to have that steeliness character that has helped keep Gianluigi Buffon at the top for so many years.

Milan have a strong squad and plenty of alternatives to help Montella in changing games and getting more wins. But I still think they need one or two more top class stars.

Reports suggest that the new Milan board are willing to push the boat out and sign clinical goalscorer Andrea Belotti from Torino. The player himself seems to prefer a move to the San Siro rather than go abroad, just like Bonucci and that could help Milan’s pursuit of the striker.

If they can conclude that deal then I definitely think they can challenge Juve for the title.

But it’s important not to underestimate the current Scudetto holders. Yes they’ve lost two good players in Bonucci and Dani Alves. But they still have a strong defence and I think Daniele Rugani might come of age this term. The signing of Mattia De Sciglio from Milan will be enough to replace the gap left by Alves.

I think the loan signing Douglas Costa could be inspired with his skill, crossing ability and directness. It could be an added spark that inspires the Old Lady.

The Juventus side still look strong at the back, are vastly experienced and look to have plenty of goals in their ranks too. So I don’t think they’ll be ready to give up their championship just yet.

While I think this might be a season too soon for the Rossoneri, I do think they can make the title chase an exciting one and that can only improve the Italian game!

Leave a Reply