CM: Versatility, potential, nationality – why Milan must go all-in for Torino midfielder | OneFootball

AC Milan are looking to sign a new central midfielder to allow Ismael Bennacer to recover at his own pace, and Samuele Ricci of Torino is the player that reportedly tickets a lot of boxes.

According to Calciomercato.com, Milan’s strategy for the winter mercato is to sign a young midfielder with high potential who can enter the rotations and be a starter for years to come, with extra impetus on them being an Italian player due to the squad list issue.

In the past summer mercato there was an enquiry by Milan for Ricci, and the player himself was asked during an interview with Rai how it feels to be linked with not only the Rossoneri but Manchester City too.

“It’s certainly a great pleasure, but I’ve learned to know football a little. When things go well you are linked to these clubs and it’s gratifying because it means that the work is the right one, the path is the right one,” he said.

Ricci ‘would willingly embrace the Rossoneri project’ as per the source and this is certainly the first of the reasons why Milan should focus on him. The second reason, as mentioned, is linked to the compiling of the squad lists for Serie A and the Champions League.

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The third and perhaps most important factor that should push Milan towards the ex-Empoli player is purely tactical. Paulo Fonseca’s midfield only has Youssouf Fofana as a player who can sit in front of the defence, with Tijjani Reijnders the man tasked with roaming further forward and creating.

Over the years, Ricci has been able to play both in a three-man midfield and in a double pivot, which would also guarantee Fonseca greater freedom in switching between a 4-2-4 or 4-3-3 or even a 3-4-3.

The issue? Torino president Urbano Cairo’s demands to sell his jewel, but that’s another story entirely. At present the door to negotiate is open and Milan must at least try.