Who do AC Milan need to get rid of?

Players in? It means players out!

By Peter Coiley Jun 9, 2017, 1:04pm CEST

AC Milan have been nothing but busy this summer in the transfer market. The Rossoneri have secured the signings of Mateo Musacchio, Franck Kessie, Ricardo Rodriguez, and have deals in principle for Andrea Conti, Keita Balde Dao, and Lucas Biglia. With all these players coming in, with a few more names likely to join as well, there has to be some players who get the axe, but who? Personally, I’d like to axe about 75% of the squad but fair play would be up in arms on that one. Regardless, let’s list the players who need to go, shall we?

Gabriel Paletta:

Paletta didn’t have the worst of seasons and provided decent help when called upon, but this one is mainly for his discipline (or lack thereof). Not only did Paletta put his name atop the list for most red cards in a single season (5) but he’s also gone one step further in earning the most red cards in Serie A history (9). That’s absolutely atrocious and as a player sure to sit on the bench next season behind Musacchio and Romagnoli, we can’t have him subbing in and being sent off or taking the place of an injured/suspended player and getting himself suspended in the process. Couple his lack of discipline with the fact that he isn’t at the top of the pecking order and his age (31) there’s just no reason to keep him around when Zapata can do a job in a pinch, and though I’m aware of his glaring inconsistency, I’d still prefer to keep 11 players on the pitch.

Rodrigo Ely:

International Champions Cup 2016 - FC Bayern Munich v A.C. Milan

Another player who I still don’t understand why we have. He wasn’t able to do much when given a start (pulled a Paletta and got himself sent off) and was poor as a substitute as well. He’s young and a decent player, but he’d be better off with a Serie B side where he can learn the ropes of the game and earn his way into Serie A. I can understand sending him on loan for awhile, but maybe his time is up at the San Siro.

Andrea Poli:

Some of you may disagree with me and this might be more opinionated than anything, but I absolutely despise Andrea Poli. He can’t do a job in the midfield, constantly holds the ball for too long, and can’t play a long ball to save his life. I admire his work rate and I think that’s the only reason he’s still in the side. Pundits will say his passing percentage was excellent this year at 93% in 13 appearances. They’ll fail to take into account that he only ever plays short passes that don’t lead to much. He plays the ball backwards quite the amount and while that’s not the worst thing in the world, we’d like it to go forward from time to time. Starved for playing time, he was put in at right back and as a player who can’t even play his own position well, why on earth would he do anything decent as a full back? He’d have to fight Montolivo, Sosa, and potentially Pasalic for playing time with the midfield three being occupied potentially by Biglia, Bonaventura, and Kessie. It’s in his best interest as well as Milan’s to make something of those transfer links with Bologna and say goodbye to the red and blacks.

Leonel Vangioni:

This one is purely for the amount of players we have at left back. With De Sciglio unlikely to leave this summer and the arrival of Ricardo Rodriguez (God bless), it just doesn’t make sense to keep him around as I’d prefer we have depth at center back more than anything. Vangioni did his job when called upon at a below average and sometimes average level. He’s just not what we need, and I think he’d be better off going to a lesser side such as Crotone, Palermo, or Pescara.

Luca Antonelli:

When Antonelli was at his best with Milan he was rather enjoyable to watch. Since then he’s really just been one for the injured reserve. With Rodriguez arriving and De Sciglio unlikely to leave, coupled with his aging self, maybe it’s time we said goodbye to Antonelli. This is contingent upon De Sciglio staying because if De Sciglio leaves than we should keep Antonelli.

Andrea Bertolacci:

Bertolacci has given me headaches since day one. As a player who came with a hefty price tag and not the results to match, his injuries are just making him a player who soaks up contract money at this point. If he’s willing to take a sizeable pay cut then I understand keeping him on as a practice squad or fringe player, someone to give the starters a workout during training. Who knows, maybe taking a cut and increasing his work rate might help him in meeting the potential he was supposed to live up to 2 years ago. If he continues to take the money that we should be giving to players who deserve it then I sincerely question upper management’s decision to keep the lad.

Carlos Bacca:

All credit to Bacca’s ability to finish as a poacher, but I don’t need to see his disappearing magic act anymore. When he’s on his game he’s quite lethal, but he’s off more often than not and I think Lapadula is the better backup as his work rate is much higher and he can do more with the ball at his feet. Bacca is another player who should consider his options because a new striker’s arrival is imminent and he knows playing time will be difficult to come by, and Milan can get a sizeable amount (upwards of €20 million) for his services that can be put towards a new striker. I feel for him as he could’ve stayed with Sevilla when they were heading to the Champions’ League, but it seems like the Colombian hitman might’ve made the wrong move here, and he should seriously consider the idea of a move back to Sevilla.

Riccardo Montolivo:

Let’s face it, the captain was the second highest paid player on the roster at the end of the campaign and he didn’t play but a few games. I know he was injured but he has a history of injuries, soaks up money, and won’t start in the midfield if Biglia arrives (at least he shouldn’t). At the age of 32, I just don’t think it’s worth it to keep him, especially with Mauri returning at a young age and ready to fight for a spot in the subs, with more energy, strength, and tenacity to boot.

The following players weren’t listed because their departure is expected, though they deserve an axing as well: Lucas Ocampos, Keisuke Honda

Players who should be loaned out? Patrick Cutrone, Davide Calabria, Niccolo Zanellato