GdS: The muscular midfield – how Fonseca plans to solve Milan’s imbalances | OneFootball

A new striker is needed this summer, without a doubt, but perhaps you could argue that the key to unleashing AC Milan next season is a facilitator in midfield.

The mercato is a tricky sea to navigate at the best of times, but having a shopping list like Milan’s makes the situation even trickier. Of course, it can make things easier if the plans are for specific profiles rather than players – for example, a technically gifted striker rather than Joshua Zirkzee or bust.

In this case for midfield, though, it seems the Rossoneri have a mix of both. An identikit has been identified as a physical midfielder with a defensive outlook rather than a focus on being capable in both boxes and whilst it would be appreciated, they need to be able to balance the midfield.

Then, the identikit needs a name, and Milan have spelt it out – Youssouf Fofana. The French midfielder is a physical beast whilst also being a phenomenal defensive midfielder, and his price has been cut due to contractual reasons.

If any other reasons were needed, he has already given the green light to the Diavolo, and the steps are in place.

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As Gazzetta dello Sport (via Milan News) writes, the move is inspired by Paulo Fonseca’s demands to make his midfield more physical-based, but there would still be room for the star, Tijjani Reijnders, to inspire the team moving forward.

You could argue that the signing of Fofana’s profile is being done more so to push Reijnders into a more advanced role, to fully unleash his best talents, as we have seen him do for the Netherlands at Euro 2024.

If a move were to occur, Gazzetta suggests that Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be given a deeper role within the team for his physical prowess and ability to advance, but the diamond would be the Dutchman.