One of the major questions to answer in the summer concerns the No.9 role, with AC Milan currently relying on Tammy Abraham, Santiago Gimenez and Luka Jovic. Despite some uncertainty, however, the idea is relatively clear.
As highlighted by today’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport (see photo below), it’s only reasonable that fans have questions about the No.9 role. Who will stay? Who will leave? Given the performances in recent weeks, there might not be any changes at all.
Confidence in Gimenez
Starting with Gimenez, the most expensive signing of the season at around €28m plus bonuses, the first few months haven’t been ideal. He started well with the assist against Roma and the goal against Empoli, but the injuries came in the way and put him on the bench.
The question that has been asked, as such, is whether Gimenez is ‘Serie A-worthy’. At Casa Milan, they have total confidence in the Mexican and see him as the starter for the future. There will be an opportunity to ‘reset’ in the summer and from there, he must demonstrate his full value.
We are talking about a striker who scored six goals in seven games in the current edition of the Champions League, while turning 24 just over a week ago. He’s young, in other words, and has the quality to make a difference in Italy as well. We just need a little bit of time.
Abraham and Jovic uncertainty remains
As Gimenez will be the fixed point of the attack next season, Milan will have to decide the rest of the pecking order for the No.9 role. It will depend on several factors, such as European football, as playing in three competitions would force the Rossoneri to have three strikers available.
In other words, the Mexican plus two deputies. By all accounts, one of them should be Luka Jovic who is enjoying a great run of form, as showcased by the brace against Inter. His contract can be renewed year by year until 2028, but the player could ask for a two-year deal if he continues like this.
The third No.9, not necessarily in that order though, is Tammy Abraham today. He would like to stay at Milan beyond this season but the loan formula means Milan must sit down with Roma. The Giallorossi would be happy to keep Alexis Saelemaekers so there is scope for a swap, but Abraham’s salary (€4.5m per year) must also be lowered.
The two clubs will definitely talk about it at the end of the season, and if an agreement can’t be reached, then Milan could turn to Lorenzo Lucca. His current valuation of €35m is out of reach, though, so a decrease would be needed.
One of the major questions to answer in the summer concerns the No.9 role, with AC Milan currently relying on Tammy Abraham, Santiago Gimenez and Luka Jovic. Despite some uncertainty, however, the idea is relatively clear.
As highlighted by today’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport (see photo below), it’s only reasonable that fans have questions about the No.9 role. Who will stay? Who will leave? Given the performances in recent weeks, there might not be any changes at all.
Confidence in Gimenez
Starting with Gimenez, the most expensive signing of the season at around €28m plus bonuses, the first few months haven’t been ideal. He started well with the assist against Roma and the goal against Empoli, but the injuries came in the way and put him on the bench.
The question that has been asked, as such, is whether Gimenez is ‘Serie A-worthy’. At Casa Milan, they have total confidence in the Mexican and see him as the starter for the future. There will be an opportunity to ‘reset’ in the summer and from there, he must demonstrate his full value.
We are talking about a striker who scored six goals in seven games in the current edition of the Champions League, while turning 24 just over a week ago. He’s young, in other words, and has the quality to make a difference in Italy as well. We just need a little bit of time.
Abraham and Jovic uncertainty remains
As Gimenez will be the fixed point of the attack next season, Milan will have to decide the rest of the pecking order for the No.9 role. It will depend on several factors, such as European football, as playing in three competitions would force the Rossoneri to have three strikers available.
In other words, the Mexican plus two deputies. By all accounts, one of them should be Luka Jovic who is enjoying a great run of form, as showcased by the brace against Inter. His contract can be renewed year by year until 2028, but the player could ask for a two-year deal if he continues like this.
The third No.9, not necessarily in that order though, is Tammy Abraham today. He would like to stay at Milan beyond this season but the loan formula means Milan must sit down with Roma. The Giallorossi would be happy to keep Alexis Saelemaekers so there is scope for a swap, but Abraham’s salary (€4.5m per year) must also be lowered.
The two clubs will definitely talk about it at the end of the season, and if an agreement can’t be reached, then Milan could turn to Lorenzo Lucca. His current valuation of €35m is out of reach, though, so a decrease would be needed.
