The Top 5 Players to Solve AC Milan's Midfield Problems

It was the first game back after Serie A's winter break and Sassuolo were cutting through AC Milan's midfield like a hot knife through butter.

The San Siro was quietened as the away side left with the three points. It was clear Milan were in need of shoring up in the middle of the park.

With the mid-season transfer window deadline approaching, Milan may not be able to further strengthen their midfield right now. This does not mean they should neglect the idea, however.

Nigel De Jong and Michael Essien's contracts are set to expire this summer, while Marco Van Ginkel's loan deal will also come to and end. This will leave an already vulnerable midfield without competition for places. These circumstances will only expedite the necessity of signing a new central midfielder.

Milan are in need of extra stability and there are several midfielders with the requisite ability to provide this, though the club must also take into consideration the affordability, experience and potential of all candidates.

Here I rank the top five players Milan should consider signing to bolster their midfield.

Missed the Cut

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Four players just missed the cut for this list. They are as follows:

• Mario Suarez (Atletico Madrid, 27 years old)
• Youri Tielemans (Anderlecht, 17 years old)
• Lucas Leiva (Liverpool, 28 years old)
• Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton, 25 years old)

Mario Suarez has struggled for regular game time at Atletico Madrid, which is a signal in itself that he may not be of the correct calibre to significantly improve Milan's midfield.

Youri Tielemans is still extremely young at just 17 years of age and would be better served spending more time with Anderlecht before making the step up to first-team football at a club with the size and reputation of AC Milan.

Lucas Leiva has re-found frequent action with Liverpool, suggesting he is not going to be readily available for sale, while Morgan Schneiderlin is interesting some of the English Premier League's biggest clubs, potentially driving up the price for his signature beyond what Milan can afford to pay.

5. William Carvalho

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Quality

Carvalho is a powerful and robust midfielder. An astute tackler and willing interceptor with the capacity to play in either defensive or box-to-box roles, he would add much-needed ball-winning capability to Milan's midfield.

Affordability

One downside to signing Carvalho is the high price to pay. His agent is the renowned Jorge Mendes, which means he may be a high-wage signature. Per the Daily Mail, his club—Sporting Club de Portugal—have also shown a reluctance to sell him for anything under £30 million, which would probably prove too costly for Milan.

Experience

Carvalho broke into the consciousness of the football mainstream with his performances for Sporting just last season and only established himself within the Portuguese national team within the last year. Despite a short time at the top, he already has experience of the Champions League and World Cup.

Potential

The possibilities associated with signing a player like Carvalho justify his hefty price tag. His form has been worse this season, but not as bad as some have made out, as Jan Hagen points out in his interview with Sam Peoples. At just 22, there is plenty of room for improvement in an already impressive player.

4. Gokhan Inler

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Quality

Inler has been a mainstay in Serie A for around seven years with first Udinese and now Napoli. The Swiss international is a leader, a dogged tackler and an adequate passer. He would bring resolve to Milan's midfield.

Affordability

Inler's importance to Napoli has been reduced this season. He has been constantly linked with moves away from the club in this January window and a move in the summer could be possible given that—per transfermarkt.co.uk—his contract expires in 2016. By then he will be 31 and could be bought for a very reasonable fee.

Experience

Inler would bring a wealth of know-how to Milan with him. He has spent years cajoling Napoli into Champions League football, whilst also building a strong international career as Switzerland's captain. His trophy cabinet might be bare, but he has vast experience of Serie A.

Potential

At 30 years of age, Inler is unlikely to improve drastically beyond what he already is. He would markedly improve Milan, however, and given he rarely suffers injuries, he should have plenty of playing time left in him.

3. Charles Aranguiz

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Quality

Aranguiz is a voraciously energetic midfielder. A willing runner, the Chilean is at his best when aiding his team in transitioning from defence to attack. He is happy to do the dirty defensive work but also more than able to supply intelligent passes going forward.

Affordability

Currently, Aranguiz plays for Internacional in Brazil. Having been on loan to the club previously, he was signed permanently last summer. Given he is playing outside of Europe, he is unlikely to command a price as high as others on this list, such as William Carvalho.

Experience

Aranguiz was part of Chile's excellent 2014 World Cup campaign, a campaign that saw them eliminated on penalties by hosts Brazil after an exceptional match. Aranguiz converted his penalty with aplomb in that game, showing maturity that belied his inexperience at the highest level.

Potential

Aranguiz is 25 years old, which means he is closer to his peak than Carvalho, but also has more potential than the likes of Inler. He is more than likely about to enter his prime in the coming years, so Milan would be best advised to sign him now before his value increases.

2. Sami Khedira

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Quality

Khedira is a proven pro. A regular for a number of seasons with Real Madrid, he also played an integral role as Germany won the 2014 World Cup. A classy defensive midfielder, Khedira can also play a more advanced midfield role thanks to his technical ability.

Affordability

Khedira is set to leave Real Madrid soon, with Guillem Balague suggesting his most likely destination to be Bayern Munich, per Sports Mole. His contract is set to expire at the end of this season, so he would be available on a free transfer.

Experience

There is little Khedira hasn't won in his career thus far with honours including one German Bundesliga, one Spanish La Liga, one Champions League and a World Cup. Put simply, the German has pretty much done it all.

Potential

Khedira has been afflicted by injury issues of late, the latest of which was a concussion in December. These issues have reduced his playing time with Real Madrid. Although only 27, the injuries of recent seasons will do little to extend his career.

1. Jordy Clasie

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Quality

Clasie is a combative midfielder with superb close control and a fine pass. Although small in stature, the Dutchman is a feisty tackler, with a tackle rate higher than Morgan Schneiderlin, who made our honourable mentions list and whom Clasie has been linked with replacing at Southampton, according to Squakwa.

Affordability

Feyenoord have a recent history of allowing their best players to leave for modest fees. One example of this is Stefan de Vrij, who joined Lazio for a reasonable fee at the start of this season. Clasie is unlikely to be the exception to this rule.

Experience

Clasie was part of Louis van Gaal's Dutch squad for the 2014 World Cup, where he came on as a substitute in the semi-final defeat to Argentina and started the third-place play-off against Brazil. He has also experienced European football with Feyenoord.

Potential

At 23 years old, Clasie has more than three years of regular first-team football behind him. He has long been an established starter in Dutch football and is now ready for a step up. Moving to Milan would provide him with the chance to showcase his quality against better opposition and improve him as a player, whilst also enhancing Milan's midfield in the process.