Why Sami Khedira Is the Piece AC Milan Are Missing

Carlo Ancelotti may not be coaching AC Milan anymore, but he is still trying to help them out.

A report from Corriere dello Sport (h/t Football Italia) suggests that the 55-year-old may advise Sami Khedira to join Milan instead of interested parties like Chelsea and Arsenal. And Khedira is exactly the player they need.

Milan have been searching for a midfielder to complement Nigel de Jong. De Jong and Khedira are in fact similar players: Both can recover the ball, make a key pass and help out the defence. But De Jong needs help. Sometimes he is left doing all the work in midfield, compensating for the poor defensive skills of Sulley Muntari, who constantly gives away possession.

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Instead, Khedira would offer the kind of balance Milan do not currently have. The 27-year-old German international enjoyed a similar setup in Real Madrid's midfield with Xabi Alonso. De Jong could do what Alonso did, taking care of the defensive phase of the field while allowing Khedira, who is a good runner and a pretty decent goalscorer, the opportunity to venture forward. There is the chance for De Jong and Khedira to form a fantastic give-and-take relationship.

The problem, as always with Milan, is money.

The club cannot afford Khedira's €5 million wages, and clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal can match that and even offer more. The Premier League is also a bigger draw than Serie A. But then again, several former Real Madrid players have gone on to succeed in Italy (Jose Callejon, Gonzalo Higuain, Wesley Sneijder), and there is something to say about a perfect fit.

Khedira is it.

Milan are missing a piece like him, and he would again have the chance to start every match without dispute. That won't happen at Madrid. Indeed, Arsenal could use him as much as Milan, but they have a glut of midfielders. Chelsea already have Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic as a midfield tandem.

At Milan, it is the bare bones. Khedira would add some meat to them.

Of course, he is injury prone. Khedira has suffered recurring thigh and hamstring injuries, and he underwent operation on his knee in September. Milan have their own injury concerns, and they are no longer an institution that prolongs the career of the average player. But with the injuries, and with a contract expiring next summer, Khedira comes at a much lower price, and CEO Adriano Galliani always looks for a bargain.

He could yet get one, especially if an old friend whispers the right things in Khedira's ear.