A club in dire need of a massive overhaul to its squad, Milan headed into the summer of 2015 hoping to restore order and acquire the signatures of quality players to jumpstart a new era
After the expected sacking of Pippo Inzaghi, Adriano Galliani and Silvio Berlusconi handpicked, after weeks of speculation surrounding the hopeful return of Carlo Ancelotti, the former Sampdoria leader Siniša Mihajlović to lead the Milan squad for the 2015-16 season and perhaps beyond that.
After the ex-Inter assistant to Roberto Mancini was appointed the managerial role with the rossoneri, Galliani began diving into the expensive and tricky summer mercato head on. Mihajlović was given a handful of new reinforcements but without coughing up large figures for them. Andrea Bertolacci, Carlos Bacca, Luiz Adriano and Alessio Romagnoli were the biggest hauls this summer in what would be a mercato that saw the 7-time Champions League winners spend nearly €90m on players.
With another season of no European play, it is now up to Mihajlović and his assembled squad to hit the ground running and prove the summer “facelift” was worth the investment.
IN:
- Rodrigo Ely, 21, Avellino, free transfer, defender
- Andrea Bertolacci, 24, Roma, €20m, midfielder
- Luiz Adriano, 28, Shakhtar Donetsk, €8m, forward
- Carlos Bacca, 28, Sevilla, €30m, forward
- Jose Mauri, 19, Parma, free transfer, midfielder
- Simone Verdi, 22, Torino, €450k, midfielder (loaned to Eibar)
- Matteo Pessina, 18, Monza, €20k, midfielder (loaned to Lecce)
- Alessio Romagnoli, 20, Roma, €30m, defender
- Juraj Kucka, 28, Genoa, €3m, midfielder
- Mario Balotelli, 25, Liverpool, loan, forward
OUT:
- Daniele Bonera, 34, Villarreal, free transfer, defender
- Giampaolo Pazzini, 30, Hellas Verona, free transfer, forward
- Sulley Muntari, 30, Ittihad, free transfer, midfielder
- Michael Essien, 32, Panathanaikos, free transfer, midfielder
- Adil Rami, 29, Sevilla, €3.5m, defender
- Stephan El Shaarawy, 22, Monaco, loan, forward
- Michael Agazzi, 31, Middlesbrough, loan, goalkeeper
- Valter Birsa, 28, Chievo Verona, permanent transfer, midfielder
- Didac Vila, 26, AEK FC, free transfer, defender
- Cristian Zaccardo, 33, Carpi, free transfer, defender
- Michelangelo Albertazzi, 24, Hellas Verona, free transfer, defender
- Robinho, 31, GZ Evergrande, free transfer, forward
- Alessandro Matri, 31, Lazio, loan, forward
- Gabriel Paletta, 29, Atalanta, loan, defender
- Andrea Petagna, 20, Ascoli, loan, forward
- Jherson Vergara, 21, Livorno, loan, defender
- Hachim Mastour, 17, Malaga, loan, midfielder
- Gabriel, 22, Napoli, loan, goalkeeper
Arrivals:
Rodrigo Ely: A return back to Milan after spending time with Avellino, the 21-year old Ely arrived this summer as one of the first new players. Handpicked by Mihajlović and showing promise this pre-season, the young defender started the season opener alongside Alessio Romagnoli against Fiorentina. Despite getting sent off, the U-23 Brazilian player appears to be more important than anyone initially expected.
Andrea Bertolacci: Perhaps the most controversial signing of them all this summer. Bertolacci, after shining with Genoa last season, made the big transfer away from Roma and to the Rossoneri for a hefty 20 million euros. The need for difference makers in the midfield was apparent and the signature of the Italian has many debating as to whether he will be worth the fee. Already observed as a starter this season, Bertolacci will have to prove he can replicate his 2014-15 breakout season with Genoa and bring it to the San Siro.
Luiz Adriano: The 28-year old longtime Shakhtar striker made the switch to Italian football this summer for 8 million euros. A standout performer in last year’s UEFA Champions League, the Brazilian will link up with Carlos Bacca this season as a key man filling in for the injured Jeremy Menez. A Man of the Match performance against Empoli last week, Adriano has already shown that he fully intends to shine in his debut campaign in Serie A.
Carlos Bacca: A two-time winner of the UEFA Europa League crown with Sevilla, Carlos Bacca was the striker of choice by Milan this summer. Issues surrounding the transfer (or supposed one) of Jackson Martinez led to the Colombian making the switch over to Italy where he will look to continue to score goals with consistency. The former Club Brugge man netted 28 times in all competitions last season for Unai Emery and his Sevilla side. The rossoneri fans will surely take that tally this season with open arms.
Jose Mauri: The 19-year old departed the sad sinking ship of Parma this summer on a free transfer to Milan. A midfielder with upside, Mauri will certainly get his chance to prove himself this season after he stayed put despite interest from other clubs to take him in on loan this summer. With the amount of turnover this club has undergone this summer and the suspect play of some of the squad’s other midfielders, the U-21 Italian should be able to show the world that he is quality.
Juraj Kucka: The former Genoa man has been on the radar of Galliani for it seems like ages. With the summer mercato winding down and desperation in the eyes of Milan to find that impact midfielder, Kucka arrived for a reasonable fee of 3 million euros. While he may not be a fan favorite, the Slovakian could get his chance to pick up decent minutes but expectations aren’t the highest for him to be a key factor.
Alessio Romagnoli: After weeks of jockeying with Sabatini and Roma, Milan were finally able to get one of their main targets. Alessio Romagnoli departed the Giallorossi in favor of the red and black for 25 million euros. A tremendous talent in the back, the big-framed Italian is expected to be a mainstay in the back for years. Aged 20 and with massive upside, Romagnoli was the biggest addition this summer and he should certainly improve the dreadful Milan defense of recent years.
Mario Balotelli: The 25-year old Italian has returned to Milan one year later after a poor season with Liverpool. A move happened quickly for the talented striker to return to Italy after getting the “ok” from Mihajlović but the details behind the loan move were complex. Clauses preventing him from having crazy hairstyles, smoking and requiring him to arrive to training before everyone else, Balotelli has been given another chance to shine. His words last week were sincere but this move will be one to watch around Europe.
Departures:
Daniele Bonera: The 34-year old did not renew this summer with Milan, who he spent 9 seasons with. With little to offer the club, both mutually parted ways but it was La Liga outfit Villarreal who secured the Italian on the last day of the mercato.
Giampaolo Pazzini: The 31-year old Italian, much like many others this summer, left to another club on a free transfer. Hellas Verona signed the former Fiorentina striker hoping to partner him up with last seasons co-capocannoniere Luca Toni. His best season with the red and black shirt came in 2012-13 when he scored 15 goals in Serie A, a total certainly valuable if someone can get the same.
Sulley Muntari: The Ghanian had his contract terminated earlier this summer, ending a tenure with the club that most would agree lasted too long.
Michael Essien: The former Chelsea midfielder left for free to Greece where he joined up with Panathanaikos. Similar to his fellow countryman Muntari, it was time for aging players who provided little to depart.
Adil Rami: One summer after funding his own permanent transfer to Milan, Rami left for a Spanish return, this time with Sevilla. The former Valencia defender was not too happy with how much he played last season under Inzaghi and decided that European football was what he desired. The French international was sold for €3.5m but most would agree that it would have been great to see him this season as he became favorite.
Cristian Zaccardo: The 2006 World Cup winner finally left Milan for Carpi on a free transfer. The Italian was another on the list of aging, non-producing players that needed to be removed from the books. Not much more to say about the former Parma defender.
Alessandro Matri: One of the club’s biggest mistakes in the transfer market in recent years, Matri has joined up with Lazio for the season. The former Juventus striker scored a key goal for the bianconeri in their Coppa Italia victory last year but he is simply not what this club needs. The Italian joins Stefano Pioli’s side with the intent to limit the damage of not having a fit Miroslav Klose and Filip Djordjevic.
Hachim Mastour: The teenage sensation joined up with Spanish club Malaga on a reported 2-year loan this past week, a move that should greatly benefit the Moroccan international. He certainly has ability but for him to grow into a quality first-team footballer, its essential that he receives more minutes to ensure that Milan get everything they can out of their young sensation. This move is perfect for him.
Stephan El Shaarawy: The 22-year old Italian agreed to a loan deal with Monaco of the French league this summer, with his new club holding an option to purchase him next season. After a stellar start to his Milan stay, injuries and underachieving form hampered his growth as a footballer which ultimately lead to the sudden departure. After scoring 16 goals in the 2012-13 season, “il Farone” has never been the same. Milan fans everywhere will still be watching to see if he ever turns it around.
Wrap-up/Verdict:
This summer was an odd one for Milan and the fans. Finally, the club showed an urgency to act fast and bring in some good players to help compete which we haven’t seen in quite some time. After a promising start to the summer with the arrivals of Bertolacci, Bacca, Luiz Adriano and Romagnoli, it fell off dramatically. The hype around potentials arrivals of Axel Wistel and Zlatan Ibrahimovic ran out of steam and put a damper on a near flawless transfer window. Yes, the club did well in bolstering the attack and severing ties with excess weight, however this summer ended on a sour note as the impactful midfielder never put pen to paper on a Milan switch. In the end, the efforts by Galliani and Berlusconi came up just short.
Mercato Grade: B-
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