AC Milan are off to a winning start in this season’s Serie A with a victory over Torino. However can Milan, the dormant force in European football build on their Serie A start?
Milan supporters should feel optimistic about the coming season, although fans have been in this position before. The team are in a precarious position with a few days left in the transfer window.
Milan could go either way right now as the club could make another marquee signing. Yet, it looks more likely that Milan will sell one of their top players rather than add another striker or a quality No. 10.
Coach Vincenzo Montella has quality in his squad, and it is arguable that the club has just as much talent at its disposal as Italian heavyweights Roma and Fiorentina.
Giacomo Bonaventura is an outstanding playmaker that has been one of the team’s best players since arriving from Atalanta.
Against Torino Bonaventura posted an 88% pass success rate, completing 28 of 32 passes. Milan even had top playmakers in Andrea Bertolacci and Keisuke Honda starting on the bench.
Carlos Bacca’s hat-trick was proof that not selling the Colombian was one of the best moves it has made. But wondering eyes are glancing at the team’s other assets.
Alessio Romagnoli has also been linked with a move to the English Premier League. Milan has already turned down a £30 million offer from Chelsea for the centre-back.
The Rossoneri have already added another central defender this summer in Gustavo Gomez, which could allow Romagnoli to be sold. However, Milan will hope to sell the defender for more if he does leave.
Milan can’t afford to lose both players, and even a loss of one or the other could significantly affect the team’s chances of qualifying for Europe. In addition, taking away either of the team’s two prized assets would completely handcuff Montella.
Milan will meet Napoli at the weekend. A win could put Milan in a perfect early season position as favourites to make Europe. A poor night at the San Paolo in Naples, however, could change everything.
Bacca and Romagnoli are the difference between Milan finishing in the top five and finishing seventh or lower, which is where the team have found itself in each of the last three sub-par seasons.
A loss on Saturday night could influence Galliani to sell. A win could keep the two at the club until the next transfer window and lead a charge to Europe and beyond.
