Opinion: AC Milan can offer strong competition to Juventus for title

Fallen giants AC Milan look to be making significant strides in the transfer market after having been taken over by Chinese consortium – Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux. The San Siro outfit have failed to qualify for the Champions League in each of the last four seasons, but their recent investment could enhance their chances of clinching a top-four spot or winning the Europa League altogether.

As Manchester United have showcased, the Europa League could salvage a team’s Champions League ambition irrespective of position, and the Rossoneri will have set their sights on clinching Europe’s second competition, should things go pear-shaped in the Serie A next term.

Signings are always an integral part of the overall development of the squad, the Rossoneri have managed to recruit Villareal’s Mateo Musacchio, who could provide a much-needed upgrade in the backline. The central defender remained a key figure for the Yellow Submarines last season as they clinched the fifth spot in La Liga.

Joining Musacchio in the defence at left-back is Ricardo Rodriguez. The Swiss international had emerged as a target for the likes of Chelsea and Inter Milan, but the project at AC was just too good to refuse. The lack of a genuine enforcer was another setback for Milan last season, and they have managed to have it covered with the loan signing of Franck Kessie.

Kessie’s move to Milan also came as a surprise as he could have joined one of AS Roma or Chelsea with the assurance of Champions League football. The Ivorian has a goal or two in himself in crunch situations, and his performance last season helped Atalanta to a record fourth-placed finish in the Serie A.

Moving forward in the ranks, Milan’s recent capture Hakan Calhanoglu is well known for his dead ball abilities, and he could provide the X-factor required in key games through the season. Milan had one of the lowest efforts amassed from set-pieces last term, and Calhanoglu could be counted upon to deliver the right ball to his teammates.

Portugal’s Andre Silva is one of the upcoming prospects that Milan have taken a risk with. The youngster has stood out as the main striker at Porto over the years, but he will need to stake a claim for the centre-forward spot with Sunderland’s Fabio Borini added to provide some much needed competition. Borini did not enjoy the best of spells in the Premier League, but he is back in the Serie A, where he previously made his name with AS Roma.

Looking at the makeup of the squad, the Rossoneri have got most of their bases covered with their new signings, but the hierarchy appear to be eyeing further recruits as they look to seize the advantage for the Serie A title. Juventus have the most settled squad in the Italian top-flight, but the Rossoneri will be hoping to turn the tide with their spending which could reach record margins this summer.

Image – Getty