If there is one criterion that can attract the attention of a sports management, in addition to talent, it is the versatility of a player. The latter brings more flexibility to the coach, who can thus compensate for the absences of usual starters or to change the tactical device before or during a meeting. For example, we can mention a Sergi Roberto at FC Barcelona (right side, midfielder and even winger) or a David Alaba between Bayern Munich (central defender, left side) and Austria (playmaker , middle left).
And to start a new cycle under the American flag, AC Milan not only wants to “offer” Stefano Pioli a low-cost transfer window, but also to allow him to have players capable of playing in several positions, as does already Bosnian midfielder Rade Krunic, who has had no less than five different positions this season. A profile that pleased the Italian coach, who used it no less than 34 times between Serie A and the Champions League. For this summer transfer window, the new Lombard board has already found its new Swiss Army knives…
A Blues transfer window
The first to arrive at San Siro this summer is Ruben Loftus-Cheek (27) from Chelsea. The English midfielder, bought for 16 million euros, clearly displays this versatility with nine positions occupied throughout his career, not only in midfield but also in attack (scorer and winger) and in central defense. Enough to give more opportunities to his transalpine coach, who will have to play on three different tables (championship, C1 and Italian Cup). The London native will not be the only former Blue to defend the Rossonero jersey, as he will be joined by Christian Pulisic (24).
Indeed, the American international (57 caps, 23 goals), close to joining the 2022 Italian champions, has already occupied all the positions in the attacking sector between Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund, which would make him the “natural” successor. by Brahim Diaz, back at Real Madrid. Nevertheless, he should be aligned on the right side of the attack, where Pioli had only Alexis Saelemaekers and Junior Messias, whose attacking performance has not been sufficient over the last two seasons (only 13 goals and 10 assists decisive between them). Added to them are other multi-caps tracks the Spanish striker Alvaro Morata, who can blow Rafael Leão on the left, and Daichi Kamada, able to help out on the entire left side.
Objective: a better bench depth
However, a player’s versatility can be at the expense of his effective playing time in the first team. Indeed, a coach could more afford to have a Loftus Cheek in his substitutes to have more possibilities of adaptation, unlike players confined to a single position. Stefano Pioli could, on the other hand, take advantage of a better bench in a season with 60 potential matches in order to rest the executives and thus satisfy these Swiss knives. After the departure of Sandro Tonali in Newcastle for 70 M€, the Milanese leaders will privilege the profit, but will try as well as possible to make available the Swiss knives to Coach Pioli, to try to find the podium – or even the title – during the upcoming season…
