Amorim’s Squad Decisions at Milan
AC Milan manager Rúben Amorim has reportedly identified seven players who do not feature in his plans for the upcoming season. This decision follows his arrival at the Italian club earlier this summer, after his departure from Manchester United in January. Among those reportedly deemed surplus to requirements are two former Chelsea players, Fikayo Tomori and Christopher Nkunku.
Amorim, who previously managed Manchester United, is known for creating a ‘bomb squad’ of players not included in his tactical vision. During his time at United last summer, he reportedly froze out players such as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, and Tyrell Malacia.
The manager’s tenure at United concluded at the beginning of this year, with the club in sixth place in the Premier League table. Since taking charge at Milan, Amorim has been working to implement his preferred 3-4-2-1 system, a formation that reportedly did not yield desired results during his time at United.
Milan‘s pre-season performances under Amorim have seen mixed results. The team drew 2-2 with Celtic and 1-1 with Inter Milan in their official friendlies. Their most recent match resulted in a 3-0 loss to Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea, with Joao Pedro scoring twice and Moises Caicedo completing the scoring in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Former Premier League Players on the List
Reports indicate that three former Premier League players are among the seven identified by Amorim. These include former Chelsea duo Fikayo Tomori and Christopher Nkunku, as well as former Brighton left-back Pervis Estupiñán. Other players reportedly not in Amorim’s plans are Santiago Giménez, Youssouf Fofana, David Odogu, and Filippo Terracciano.
For Fikayo Tomori and Pervis Estupiñán, their potential transfer listings could open the door for a return to the English top flight. Meanwhile, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Italian clubs have shown interest in securing Christopher Nkunku’s services.
Christopher Nkunku, a 28-year-old attacker, joined AC Milan from Chelsea last year for a fee of €37 million. Despite scoring twice in the final three matches of the previous season, he reportedly does not fit into Amorim’s new system. Amorim is said to have informed Nkunku personally that he is not part of his plans. Nkunku was once the top scorer in the Bundesliga at RB Leipzig and had been a transfer target for Bayern Munich.
David Odogu, a 20-year-old centre-back and Germany youth international, is reportedly being considered for a temporary move away from Milan. The club is actively seeking a suitable loan destination to ensure he receives regular playing time at a higher level. In the Bundesliga, 1. FSV Mainz 05 is among the clubs that have expressed concrete interest in the defensive talent.
The overhaul also impacts other squad members, with defenders Filippo Terracciano and Fikayo Tomori, along with 27-year-old holding midfielder Youssouf Fofana, reportedly given permission to seek new opportunities. Centre-forward Santiago Giménez is also said to be looking for a new employer as he is not included in the club’s future plans.
Reasons Behind the Decisions
The decisions made by Amorim are reportedly based on technical, tactical, and personal considerations. While Amorim arrived at Milan with a friendly demeanour, his actions have been described as ruthless, indicating a clear shift and a determination to improve the team’s performance.
For players like Fikayo Tomori and Youssouf Fofana, reports suggest that their behaviour in the changing room was a factor, with both considered ‘disruptive’. David Odogu’s situation is different, as he is reportedly not considered ready to play for Milan at this stage of his career.
In the case of Christopher Nkunku, the manager’s decision was reportedly linked to his on-pitch performance. Amorim demands high intensity and total commitment from his players, and Nkunku reportedly did not demonstrate these qualities. As a result, Nkunku has already departed Italy.
The club’s decision-makers, including owner Gerry Cardinale, Amorim, and other key figures, reportedly held a crisis meeting after missing out on Champions League qualification on the final day of last season. This meeting led to the identification of specific players for departure as part of a radical squad reshaping effort before the next season begins.
Amorim could potentially face Marcus Rashford, who has been welcomed back into the first-team at Old Trafford by Amorim’s successor, Michael Carrick.
Source: standard.co.uk