Analysing 3 Key Areas of Weakness That AC Milan Should Strengthen in January

Following the current international break, AC Milan play five Serie A fixtures before the transfer window opens once again in January. After a recent resurgence in form, it will be fascinating to see if the club builds on this by augmenting Sinisa Mihajlovic’s squad.

After a slow and inconsistent beginning to the season, Milan have gone five games unbeaten, winning three times, including a 3-1 dressing-down of Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico.

The team looks more solid, though there are still some areas of weakness. While his primary source for improvement is the training ground, Mihajlovic may wish to see these areas strengthened through investment in the transfer market.

Here we identify the three biggest areas of weakness for Milan and possible transfer targets to strengthen them.

Goalkeeper

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Diego Lopez was one of Milan’s best players throughout the 2014-15 campaign, but the Spaniard lost his place early on this season.

On the back of some nervy performances, he was dropped in favour of 16-year-old Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has handled the step up with impressive maturity and composure.

However, while Donnarumma is undoubtedly the future of Milan and arguably the most promising young goalkeeper in the world, he is extremely young.

Lopez was reportedly furious at being dropped with Sport Mediaset (h/t Football Italia) claiming that “he could walk out in January.”

With Lopez out of sorts, Milan could do with some experienced backup to Donnarumma for the goalkeeper’s position.

Possible Transfer Targets

Given Donnarumma’s aforementioned quality, Milan needn’t spend big on another talented young goalkeeper. Instead, they should target an older player who can advise the youngster and rotate with him when necessary.

Currently, Milan have another goalkeeping option on loan at Napoli in the form of Gabriel. If recalling him is a possibility, it should be seriously considered, as this would ensure Milan would not need to spend big in this area.

However, another, perhaps better option would be Stefano Sorrentino.

At 36 years old, Sorrentino has a wealth of Serie A experience under his belt from spells with Chievo and now Palermo. At his age, he could be brought in for a relatively small fee; per Transfermarkt, his valuation currently stands at £560,000.

Passionate and committed, he would also be a positive dressing-room influence, whilst Squawka’s performance statistics rate him as one of the best goalkeepers in Italy this season.

Central Defence

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Central defence was a key issue for Milan before this season began, and it remains one at present. While Milan have improved defensively of late, conceding just three goals in their past five league games, Alex is not a viable long-term partner for Alessio Romagnoli.

Beyond the 33-year-old Brazilian, there are a lack of alternatives. Milan can only choose between the cumbersome Cristian Zapata, the volatile Philippe Mexes and the raw Rodrigo Ely.

If Milan are going to spend big in one area any time soon, it should be in central defence.

Possible Transfer Targets

Daniele Rugani played every single minute of Serie A football while on loan at Empoli last season yet, since returning to Juventus over the summer, he has accumulated one minute of playing time in all competitions.

While undoubtedly a huge component in the future of both club and country, he has to compete with some of the best players in the world in his position, with the Bianconeri sporting Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini in their ranks.

Recently Rugani’s agent, Davide Torchia, suggested his client may be open to a move, telling RadioCrC (h/t Football Italia):

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It’s undeniable that Rugani is sorry to have played so little at Juventus, he isn’t depressed but can’t wait to get his chance. However, we’re bound by time, if we don’t see a radical change between now and December then we will see.

"

While audacious, a move for Rugani would allow Milan to partner him with fellow Italy under-21 international Romagnoli.

Failing that, a more realistic alternative would be Torino’s Nikola Maksimovic. The Serbian was linked with moves away in the summer, and given the Granata’s recent history as a selling club, they could be willing to listen to offers for the 23-year-old.

Central Midfield

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Milan have recently started getting the balance right in midfield. With Riccardo Montolivo directing matters from the base and Mihajlovic switching to a 4-3-3 system, the central midfielders take on more simplified box-to-box roles.

Andrea Bertolacci has been in good form and seems to be settling in; however, the other midfield berth is still tentative.

Juraj Kucka, Andrea Poli, Nigel de Jong and Antonio Nocerino have occupied the position at various times throughout the season, and while the former two appear best suited, they have yet to fully prove themselves consistent enough to warrant being first names on the teamsheet.

Possible Transfer Targets

In Milan’s most recent fixture, they drew 0-0 at home to a well-organised Atalanta outfit. The visitors’ defensive resolve was impressive and their Dutch midfielder Marten De Roon played an integral role.

De Roon has made more tackles per game than any other midfielder in Serie A, according to WhoScored’s statistics, and he could provide the requisite combination of defensive rigour and technical skill to bolster Milan’s midfield.

He joined La Dea for £910,000 from Heerenveen in the summer, and with Transfermarkt valuing him at £1.4 million, he is financially well within reach for a club of Milan’s size.

Alternatively, Chievo’s high-energy Argentinean Lucas Castro could be suitable. Not only does he work hard and tackle often, he also provides an attacking threat with his forward runs and aerial ability.