‘No need for revolution’ – Capello explains why Milan already have a strong base | OneFootball

Fabio Capello has urged AC Milan not to conduct a summer ‘revolution’ because the base to build from is already strong enough.

Given that Milan are ninth in the table and far away from the Champions League places, there is talk of big changes coming in the next few weeks. It starts with a new sporting director being hired, who will then want to potentially hire a new manager and put his stamp on the squad.

There are also some natural crossroads emerging regarding key members of the squad, such as Mike Maignan and Theo Hernandez whose contracts expire in 2026. So, Milan could be barely recognisable heading into 2025-26, if some of these alterations come to fruition.

Capello has published a column in today’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport in which he speaks about current events at the Rossoneri, urging the ownership to consider that there is already a solid platform.

“The key to the Milan of the future is one: insert two or three high-level players, who really make the difference. There is no need for ‘total revolution’, with eight or ten new additions. But a couple, yes, and wherever they are, it will be fine,” he said.

“Whether it is a great mezzala, or another very strong midfielder, a right-back, a winger who causes havoc. Not gambles, but players who already give ample guarantees. The basis is good, and it also makes you angry: if the Milan seen in the derby was the real one, why did they wait so long to show themselves?

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“You might think that they didn’t try hard enough before, that they didn’t want to play as they know how. The results authorise us to think so. There is too much difference between the Milan of the season and the one seen in the second half with Inter: there they showed that they can be a real team, with a quality that they had absolutely never shown until now.

“However, it is early to give clear judgments: in the derby, what counts is the head and pride, situations that go beyond the pitch. In addition, the opponent in the second half was a modest opponent.

“We are waiting for other matches, especially the commitment in the Coppa Italia final. A very difficult commitment: the Bologna seen against Inter left a big impression on me, they are convinced of their value and their way of playing. It will be another test for the future.

“We need to restart with the players we have at home, enhance their value. Personally, I only change if I find a player who is much, much better than the ones I already have. Otherwise, you risk making the biggest mistake: signing players of the same level, who perhaps have problems fitting in. Let’s remember that San Siro is another world.

“This year, at a Milan in general confusion, Reijnders, Pulisic and I also say Fofana have imposed themselves. None of the others have performed as they did two nights ago, but they have. They form a solid base. I followed Reijnders carefully between Milan and Holland.

“You could see that he was a player of another level, for the personality he had. I admit, however, that I didn’t expect the fifteen goals this season: he has a truly marked sense of fitting in. And with Fofana, they form a great pair.

“I found great determination in Pavlovic, and then I ask myself: why did Tomori end up on the sidelines? I’m surprised to see him today that he wasn’t taken into consideration before.

“I saw a Leao who was finally eager: given his physical strength, if he played at 80% of his potential he would be unstoppable and that should be normal for him. Too often, however, he limits himself to 40%.

“Not only that. Maignan has recovered and I like him, it is difficult to find someone better without spending a lot of money. I have no doubts, I would confirm it. Pulisic is another player who has continuity and quality, he can be very good at Milan.

“He is one of those players who start at six and a half and who other times plays at seven or more. I ask myself the usual question: who do I find better than him?

“The issue on Theo is not a technical one. It depends on what he has in his head, if he has to be lazy like this year… The left flank of Milan was one of the team’s strong points, this year it was first for laziness.

“If Theo is eager, where can you find someone with that quality and speed? It depends on him, and only those who live in the dressing room or the club can know, only they can know perfectly what he has inside.

Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images Laureus World Sports Awards Ltd.

“The other issue is the attack: Gimenez is un-judgeable. The issue of adaptation exists, in Italy you find less space and different markings. But if someone has quality, it shows. The good ones impose themselves anyway: of course in this Milan in difficulty, standing out was not easy.

“For Jovic I repeat the concept: if Real had their eyes on him, the potential was there. It is possible that he fell down due to a lack of confidence. With Inter I liked him, beyond the goals, for how he moved. He knows how to hold and play the ball. I think he finally feels free to express himself as he wants. So I say: let’s wait for him.

“But I also go back to what I said at the beginning: in this period the pace slows down, it’s easier to show off. I’ve always said: in the last 4-5 games don’t go and get the players… The evaluations may not be real.”