GdS: From Pavlovic to Abraham – five Milan players who need the ‘Conceicao cure’ | OneFootball

AC Milan head coach Sergio Conceicao has already made his mark in just a few training sessions, and the hope is that he can get more out of some struggling players.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport report, his past in Portugal shows us that he is a man of strong choices and strong choices usually precede unhappy players. It is logical that he will try out everyone in the group and see what he has, but some squad members could do with the ‘Conceicao cure’.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

The midfielder is the most interesting case. Under Stefano Pioli he was devastating at times, then with Paulo Fonseca almost always hesitant. He often seemed soft and simply played badly, compared to the 10 goals scored in his first season.

He could be very good in Conceicao’s 4-3-3, provided he finds strength, physical impact and goals. Sergio appreciates him and sent him an important message: he sent him on the pitch at the decisive moment of the final and Milan – with RLC out there – won the match. A good sign, but it’s not enough.

Strahinja Pavlovic

Pavlovic is last in the centre-back hierarchies at the moment. Fourth out of four, without discussion, which is not what was envisaged when he signed from Red Bull Salzburg in the summer. Pavlovic in Italy has shown all his limitations but Milan will play many games, so his chance could come.

If we consider that Fikayo Tomori and Malick Thiaw did not make a good impression for the two goals that Inter scored, there may well be the temptation to try Pavlovic with Thiaw or even Matteo Gabbia.

Davide Calabria

The issue with Davide Calabria is more complex. Calabria had been a starter throughout Pioli’s tenure but for months he hasn’t been as happy as he was when lifting the trophy on Monday. He only played a few minutes at the end, but it is significant that Conceiçao chose him with the game balanced.

Evidently the new coach trusts the old captain or, simply, he wanted to give him a chance. Davide lifted the trophy in the Saudi night and while his renewal today is at a dead end, things can change quickly in football.

Tammy Abraham

In attack, there are three players to talk about. One is Samu Chukwueze, who is injured and is therefore on a separate track. The second is Noah Okafor, who is heading for RB Leipzig as it stands. The third name is the most interesting: Tammy Abraham.

He was launched by Fonseca in the league derby and then put back on the bench, with clear disappointment over his performance levels. That goal in Riyadh in the 93rd minute could change everything because Conceiçao likes physical strikers, and can play two up front. Milan might knock on Roma’s door as a result.

Fikayo Tomori

Abraham’s good friend Tomori is an example. The Englishman was the first to be re-evaluated by Conceiçao, who put his transfer to Juve on ice and sent him onto the pitch twice in place of Gabbia, the best centre-back this season.

Tomori did great against Juve and less well against Inter, paired with Thiaw in both games, confirming the ups and downs of recent months. Logic dictates that he will stay and play but Juve director Cristiano Giuntoli how to be persistent. At Milan, a week is worth five months, or so it feels.