Bakayoko Makes Sense For Milan

Chelsea midfielder Tiemoué Bakayoko is the latest player to be rumored to join the rossoneri. He is a solid defensive midfielder who can compete with an aging Lucas Biglia for a starting position.

At Chelsea, he flopped because he was played mostly out of position, with Kante taking his role over him. He was then relegated to a backup role and not as a complement to Kante.

A change of scenery and a return to what made him good at Monaco could work.

La Gazzetta Dello Sport believes that Gattuso could switch formations, using 4-2-3-1 instead of 4-3-3. The former formation allowed Bakayoko to excel and breakthrough in to the world stage for Monaco and could do the same for AC Milan.

Still, it seems unlikely that Gattuso would change his style, given all the success with the 4-3-3, and specifically the partnership between Suso and Kessie down the right-hand side. Gattuso would be wise to fit his players in to the better for the squad and not be stubborn.

For Milan, imagine a 4-2-3-1 with Gigi in goal, our new look back four with Rodriguez, Caldara, Romagnoli and Calabria. Add a solid midfield with two defensive minded mids in Franck Kessie and Bakayoko with Bonaventura in front of them and Suso on the right and Hakan on the left. That leaves Gonzalo Higuain as a sole forward and you have a squad that can compete for Champions League.

A Kessie and Bakayoko partnership has the potential to be special with the players being great complements to each other. Bakayoko as a strong defensive presence and with support from a pivot like midfielder in Kessie can allow for quick turns of possession and fast breaks up the field to find Higuain or Bona.

Now, our wingers could be faster, but this is a recipe for success in a notoriously defensively stingy Serie A. Add some work and better luck in set pieces and Milan can compete with just about everyone.

The Bakayoko move is wise, get it done Milan.