An ambitious future [Newsletter]

Jun 26, 2024

Although most fans are focused on the Euros and the mercato, AC Milan have made great strides on other fronts. In addition to securing the U23 team in Serie C, the Program Agreement request has officially been approved by the Lombardy Region, which means work is now entering the crucial phase. We are thus witnessing the development of what could be two pillars for the future.

Milan’s U23 success was confirmed about two weeks ago as Ancona failed to register in Serie C, thus opening up a slot. It’s a crucial step in the right direction for the Rossoneri as they will be able to develop some of their Primavera stars further. From Francesco Camarda to Kevin Zeroli, this is truly the best way to increase the value of the players and get them ready for first-team action.

Indeed, Milan will no longer have to rely on Serie B and C clubs giving their loanees proper playing time, nor will these players be completely foreign to the Rossoneri’s playing style. This is because Daniele Bonera has been hired specifically to take great inspiration from the first-team manager. We have spoken at length about this before and while there will no doubt be challenges to face, the pros outweigh the cons.

The second key for Milan and their future is the stadium in San Donato, which will take the annual revenue to a whole new level. The Program Agreement request, sent by the San Donato council, has been approved by the Lombardy Region and this means that we are now entering the most important phase of the project. Estimated to take around 12 months, the process aims to solve all the issues, such as transportation to and from the stadium.

Once the Program Agreement process comes to an end, provided that it gets the expected positive outcome, Milan will be able to begin construction of the stadium. Gerry Cardinale will then become the first football club owner to succeed with a project of this scale in Italy, proving the nay-sayers wrong and increasing the Rossoneri’s potential to compete with the very best clubs.

A lot of focus is currently on the mercato, and rightfully so, but we also shouldn’t forget what is being done for the future of this club. While rival Italian clubs are lacking ambitious projects, struggling to keep their finances in order, Milan are laying the foundation for a prosperous future. Not that we should forget about the present, with investment needed, but it’s still worth keeping in mind.

News Bulletin

➤ The AC Milan management are looking to make a swathe of signings for the new U23 team, with reinforcements in each position expected to raise the average age a bit. A certain amount of overage players are permitted, with 27-year-old striker Mbarick Fall and 24-year-old striker Andrea Adorante tipped to join.

➤ A few days ago we reported some movements in the AC Milan Women. Alia Guagni will depart the club after two seasons, while Kamila Dubcova will also leave and she will join Austrian Frauenliga side SK St.Polten. Meanwhile, Valentina Bergamaschi officially joined Juventus.

➤ The latest name on Milan’s list of potential midfield targets is André Trindade of Fluminense, and a look at his stats suggest he could well be a good fit. However, it seems Mats Wieffer of Feyenoord and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Spurs are also being considered.

➤ While there is a lot of expectation and speculation regarding the signings that AC Milan will make this summer, there is an entire team of players that the club may ship out. The situations of each player were broken down, with 12 at risk of leaving.

➤ Given that today is his birthday, it is worth plugging a podcast that Paolo Maldini did in the past couple of days. He spoke about his career at Milan, dealing with pressure, how football has changed plus 'new owners' and their 'Excel sheets'.

➤ Our long reads over the past week include a look into words vs. deeds amid Milan's current state of flux, the potential for the Rossoneri's love affair with the Oranje to blossom once again and the latest on the striker saga from Zirkzee and Guirassy to David and Demirovic.