Berlusconi's Plan: Projecting an All-Italian Milan Starting XI
Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has expressed his desire to see the Rossoneri field a starting XI with nothing but Italian players.
"Silvio Berlusconi: "I want the future Milan side to consist of young players, all Italian. Hopefully they will all be top class players."
— AC Milan News (@Milanello) November 6, 2014"
Only eight native Italians have suited up for Milan this season, so several signings would have to be made in order for Berlusconi's dream lineup to become a reality.
Using Filippo Inzaghi's 4-3-3, we'll project how the first-team would look with only Italian players currently at Milan as well as suggest some affordable transfer targets from the peninsula.
Goalkeeper: Christian Abbiati
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His best days are behind him, but Abbiati remains a serviceable keeper at age 37.
The longtime Milan netminder struggled at times last season, but 39 matches across all competitions was probably a bit too much to ask of the veteran shot-stopper.
Backing up Diego Lopez, Abbiati has looked much better as a spot starter this season and will likely remain Milan's second-choice keeper until he decides to close the book on his 21-year professional career.
Former Cagliari goalie Michael Agazzi is another option here, but he's yet to make his Milan debut.
Transfer Suggestion: Mattia Perin, Genoa
An obvious transfer target, Perin is a player that any team in need of a keeper should keep in mind.
Considering he's Italian and 22 years old, he's an ideal fit for Berlusconi's plan.
Perin has blossomed into one of the finest keepers in Serie A and has gotten off to a sensational start in the 2014-15 campaign, winning three WhoScored.com man-of-the-match awards.
He's yet to earn a senior cap for the Azzurri, but as Gianluigi Buffon's iconic career enters its final act, Perin will be Salvatore Sirigu's chief competitor as the heir to Buffon's No. 1 shirt.
Valued at €14 million by Transfermarkt.com, Perin won't be cheap, but top-quality keepers don't come around often.
Left-Back: Mattia De Sciglio
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The 22-year-old Italian international is at his best on the right, but Ignazio Abate and his newly found playmaking ability have forced De Sciglio out of position.
Despite being deployed on the left, De Sciglio's defensive ability translates. However, De Sciglio's crossing is hindered by the wrong footing, though he's made noticeable improvements in the service he provides from his weaker left foot.
De Sciglio will be a key member of the Milan back line for years to come, and his status as one of Italy's best young defenders makes him an ideal building block for Berlusconi's project.
Transfer Suggestion: Nicola Murru, Cagliari
After starting more than half of last season's matches under former manager Ivo Pulga, Murru has been frozen out of Zdenek Zeman's new regime.
The 19-year-old has shown great progression over the past few seasons, cutting down on superfluous bookings while maintaining a great nose for the ball and knack for disrupting passing lanes.
With De Sciglio and Abate already on the team, Murru would be more of a rotation option. Nevertheless, Murru is one of the few Italian U-21 internationals not already owned by a Serie A powerhouse and is thus one of the few feasible targets here.
The volatile Zeman could be amenable to selling his out-of-favor left-back, and an offer near Transfermarkt.com's €4 million valuation could seal the deal.
Centre-Backs: Daniele Bonera and Cristian Zaccardo
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No, unfortunately, this slide is not a joke; it just so happens that two of Milan's most heavily criticized central defenders are both Italian.
Michelangelo Albertazzi also fits Berlusconi's nationality criteria, but the Primavera product has never been more than a bit-part player.
Needless to say, an injection of youth and quality is required if Berlusconi expects this team to compete.
Antei was stellar in his debut 2013-14 Serie A campaign, averaging a ridiculous four tackles and 3.2 interceptions, per WhoScored.com. This year, he's posted similarly impressive numbers and has become one of Italy's best young defenders.
Roma, Antei's parent club, would probably be reluctant to sell their prized 22-year-old, but with a crowded centre-back corps that also features promising youngsters Tin Jedvaj and Alessio Romagnoli, Antei could be available.
Transfermarkt.com's €2 million valuation is much too low—Milan would be getting a steal at double or even triple that fee.
Lorenzo Tonelli, Antei's former Azzurrini teammate, also has enjoyed a fast start to his top-flight career.
According to WhoScored.com, Tonelli has already netted three times, tied with Danilo Avelar for the league high among defenders. He's shown a propensity for blocking shots—his 1.4 blocks per game are tied with Milan's Adil Rami for the league's best tally—and dominates the air, boasting a third-best 4.1 aerial duels won per game.
The 24-year-old centre-half is valued at less than €1.4 million and would yield tremendous value.
Right-Back: Ignazio Abate
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Abate has already racked up four assists on the young season, tying him with Carlos Tevez for the league's second-best haul.
Blessed with electric pace, the Italian international can cover a ton of ground quickly and will almost never lose a foot race to an opposing attacker.
It's imperative that Milan extend his contract past the end of this season or risk losing him for nothing on a Bosman.
Transfer Suggestion: None
Mattia De Sciglio's presence means that no additional reinforcements are required. He'll presumably return to his favored right-back position when Abate's Milan tenure ends.
Central Midfielders: Riccardo Montolivo, Riccardo Saponara and Andrea Poli
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While this central midfield triumvirate could lead to an enthralling, attacking style, the absence of an out-and-out defensive midfielder would doom our projected centre-back duo.
Montolivo is still recovering from a devastating leg injury sustained last summer, but when he is fit, he is an unequivocal starter.
Saponara could be on the way out according to Tuttomercatoweb (h/t Football Italia), but Milan will hopefully come to their senses and avoid repeating the Bryan Cristante miscue. Though this position is more withdrawn than his preferred trequartista role, Saponara enjoyed a solid outing in his inaugural match as a central midfielder in Inzaghi's 4-3-3.
Poli's all-action skill set sees him included here, but he's yet to really hit top form for the Rossoneri.
Transfer Suggestion: Andrea Bertolacci, Genoa
He isn't the hardman that this unit would require, but Bertolacci certainly deserves a mention.
The former U-21 international will turn 24 in January, so he isn't the youngest option here, but he has been an impact player for Genoa over the past couple seasons.
This year, Bertolacci has scored a goal and added two assists as one of the Grifone's more reliable performers.
Without the capital or sway to lure, for example, Marco Verratti or Alessandro Florenzi, Bertolacci represents a cost-conscious buy at €3 million.
Left-Winger: Stephan El Shaarawy
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Since returning from injury, il Faraone hasn't been the every-week starter many thought he'd be. As Milan's most talented player—as well as their most valuable—El Shaarawy needs to be playing whenever he's available, as the game-breaking pace and defensive work-rate he offers are second to none compared to any other winger in the squad.
Already possessing double-digit senior international caps at 22 years old, El Shaarawy, along with De Sciglio, are two integral pieces in any effort to build around youth.
He's shown that he can put the team on his back and carry them to results. Hopefully, he just needs consistent playing time to reprise the majesty he displayed during the pre-Mario Balotelli 2012-13 season.
Transfer Suggestion: Nicola Sansone
Provided Milan don't sell him off too, El Shaarawy should be the starter for the better part of the next decade.
He did, however, have a foot surgery very early in his career and encountered complications that kept him sidelined for an additional few months. That's obviously a crucially important part of a footballer's body, and Milan would do well to have a back-up plan just in case these foot problems become chronic.
Enter Nicola Sansone, a former Bayern Munich youth product, who has settled into life in Serie A. Prior to his move to Sassuolo over the summer, the winger played two seasons at Parma, netting eight goals in 42 league appearances.
He exhibits tremendous control and couples a fair bit of pace with some tricky ball skills, making him a difficult assignment.
Sassuolo may try to keep hold of the €7 million-rated, former Italian youth international—star winger Domenico Berardi's inevitable return to Juventus will leave a considerable void—but Milan would do well to place an offer.
Centre-Forward: Giampaolo Pazzini
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Pazzini was superb in his first season with the Rossoneri, registering 15 goals in 30 appearances—only half of which came as starts—throughout the 2012-13 season.
A knee injury prevented Pazzini from replicating that superlative form in the following season, and despite being currently fit, he's found it difficult to re-enter the first-team picture.
Pazzini's five cameos this season have all come as a substitute, as Inzaghi has favored Fernando Torres and Jeremy Menez in the lone centre-forward role.
With such a diminished role, it shouldn't come as a surprise that Milan are exploring a possible swap deal for Sampdoria's Stefano Okaka, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia).
Nevertheless, as the only Italian hitman in the squad, Pazzini centers the attacking trident.
Transfer Suggestion: Andrea Belotti
Overshadowed by current Serie A sensation Paulo Dybala, Belotti primarily has been deployed by Giuseppe Iachini as a super-sub.
The 20-year-old has amassed an impressive tally with the Azzurrini, notching eight goals in 13 matches.
Although not a towering striker, Belotti possesses impressive physicality and is quite good in the air.
According to Metro, Arsene Wenger is interested in signing the aforementioned Dybala—a move that if completed would vacate Palermo's centre-forward spot.
Belotti looks like a potentially apt replacement should Dybala leave, but if Palermo is reluctant to sell their star forward—as they once were with Edinson Cavani—Belotti may be available. Valued at €5 million, Palermo wouldn't demand a fortune, and Belotti would be a solid signing at that price point.
Right-Winger: Giacomo Bonaventura
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As Milan's marquee summer signing, Giacomo Bonaventura wasn't their first option—Jonathan Biabiany was set to join the San Siro outfit if not for Cristian Zaccardo's refusal to join Parma—but he's fast making Milanisti forget about Biabiany.
An extremely versatile player, Bonaventura is capable of playing on either wing or in the center of the park and is an excellent defender at his position.
With the advent of attacking full-backs, wingers who track back and are actually good at it are invaluable in today's football. Bonaventura is just that, and the fact that he's fielded opposite Il Faraone gives the Rossoneri two willing and able two-way threats.
He's taken a back seat to Keisuke Honda, but in the all-Italian Milan XI, Bonaventura is an impact performer.
Transfer Suggestion: None
Two words: Hachim Mastour.
Milan's highly touted 16-year-old seems to be destined for big things, and his presence makes right-wing reinforcements unnecessary.
Financial Implications
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Below is a summary of our transfer suggestions and their Transfermarkt.com valuations:
Mattia Perin: €12 million
Nicola Murru: €4 million
Luca Antei: €2 million
Lorenzo Tonelli: €1.4 million
Andrea Bertolacci: €3 million
Nicola Sansone: €7 million
Andrea Belotti: €5 million
Total: €34.4 million
Given Milan's dire financial straits, certain player situations and some under-valuations by Transfermarkt.com, it's highly unlikely that Galliani would be able to strike even half of these deals at their stipulated transfer fees.
However, even if the total outlay is, say, €45 million, that's still an economical expenditure considering it brings in seven players—all under 24 years of age and impressive in the top flight.
Berlusconi's all-Italian XI is a pipe dream so long as he doesn't sanction the necessary spending, but with native talent available throughout Serie A, the only step that remains is putting theory into practice.
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com unless otherwise noted.
Transfer values, injury notes and contract information courtesy of Transfermarkt.com unless otherwise noted.
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