Vitiello: ‘A necessary restyling’ – how Milan’s ‘incredible’ deadline day unfolded | OneFootball

AC Milan had a hectic deadline day, but it can be argued that the Rossoneri look much better as a result of it. We have to wait and see to be sure though.

Throughout the season, Milan have had issues with their squad in a multitude of ways. Not only have there been questions about depth, but there have also been issues with the quality within the squad, which has also trickled into the depth problem as well.

As a result, investment in January was needed, and the Rossoneri have done that. Santiago Gimenez and Kyle Walker arrived before the deadline day, and then another three players joined the club at the death – Joao Felix, Warren Bondo and Riccardo Sottil.

The day as a whole was rather hectic, as you will be able to tell from our blog of the day, and Antonio Vitiello has summarised the day for Milan News, including some information about the deals.

“Milan were the protagonists of the last day of the market in Italy. Last-minute operations in and out, where practically everything happened. A crazy 24 hours.

“The hit is Joao Felix, although he only arrives on a dry loan, Chelsea did not want to include the right of redemption. Better to have him than not to have him, a player of his quality is always important to be able to field, and Sergio Conceição pushed hard for the success of the deal, along with the real director of the operation, Jorge Mendes.

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“Felix will be able to play as a finisher behind Gimenez, or outside left back in the 442, or even second forward next to the Mexican in a two-man attack. In short, an offensive joker.

“Bondo arrives on the last day to replace Bennacer, but the Monza player’s name had been in the air for at least a month. He will bring freshness to midfield and will be Fofana’s replacement.

“Bennacer, on the other hand, pushed to leave after a clash with Conceiçao. He wanted and got the transfer to Marseille six months later because he had already been one step away from the French in the summer.

“In closing, Milan also took Sottil from Fiorentina on loan with the right to replace the departing Okafor, who went to Napoli with the same formula. Five market transactions, three incoming and two outgoing.

“It was a Milan that changed face, a restyling necessary to correct the mistakes made during the summer. Gimenez is the big purchase at the end of January, but it would have been better to do it in the summer, instead of focusing on Morata.

“Walker will bring experience but it also means betting on the wrong horse Emerson Royal. Not to mention the choice of coach, first Fonseca then Conceicao after six months.

“In short, it is an AC Milan that has tried to make up for the summer mistakes, with the hope that it is not too late in the championship, where the position in the standings is really bad.”