Asamoah, Montolivo or El Shaarawy? AC Milan must decide what type of midfielder they really need

As the Scudetto winners look to build on their decent early summer moves, they are showing some signs of indecision in their bid to strengthen their midfield

AC Milan’s summer shopping campaign has been as serene as it could have been so far.
While other clubs around Europe have carried out hectic campaigns akin to somebody rushing into a store and paying over the odds for something they have been told is "the next big thing", the Italian champions have ordered tried and tested goods from eBay in comparison.
But having planned ahead in paying nothing more than postage and packing to add Philippe Mexes and Taye Taiwo to their defence, the Rossoneri’s decision-making in regards to midfield purchases appears a little less organised.
With Kwadwo Asamoah, Riccardo Montolivo and Stephan El Shaarawy (pictured below in this order) all in their sights, it points to a degree of indecision from the corridors of Via Turati.
Having been on the tail of Asamoah for some time now, there seemed a clear desire in the club’s head office to address deficiencies within the current squad without overly affecting the balance.
After winning the title with a flat midfield three anchored by Mark van Bommel, they had set their sights on a player who could fit seamlessly into the slot to the Dutchman’s left.
The Ghanaian has been one of Udinese’s most vital players in recent seasons thanks to his ability to attack in the channel with just as much ease as he sits in and provides cover for the Friulani’s offensive-minded wingers.
He is also excellent on the ball, with an eye for both the short and long pass and has the magnificent knack of being able to buy himself time with a simple drop of the shoulder or cool first touch away from a marker.

Magnificent...	Buccaneering...	Incisive...

It made even more sense, too, that Asamoah would come in alongside national team colleague Kevin-Prince Boateng, with whom the Black Stars have excelled as a midfield force both on the African continent and in last year’s World Cup in South Africa. But, their latest pursuits have pointed to a possible change of plan at Milanello. First there was the link with Montolivo, a player of a rather different disposition to Asamoah. An often buccaneering type in his youth, the former Atalanta man has fallen into the same trap as many talented midfielders in the modern game by dropping into the defensive midfield position with current club side Fiorentina.
Though this has given him more time on the ball, it has taken away much of his potency in possession, and has deterred him from making the kind of runs into the channels which regularly caused opposition defences problems in years past. And when he is tried out in the higher position in a midfield three with Italy these days, there is something that looks amiss about his game.
The latest player for whom Milan have reportedly jumped to the front of the queue is Genoa’s Stephan El Shaarawy, who is currently on loan with Serie B promotion contenders Padova. A talented 18-year-old half-Egyptian half-Italian, El Shaarawy has played much of the season on the left of a forward three.

But were he to don a red and black shirt he would be likely asked to occupy a slightly more withdrawn role in order to make the most of his ability to pick up space between the lines and bring team-mates into play. With his shooting technique needing some work, the onus to find the net regularly would be taken away by starting him from a left midfield or trequartista position, while nurturing his ability for short incisive passes.

THE OPTIONS | How each could fit into Milan's midfield

Abbiati Abate - Nesta - T.Silva - Taiwo Boateng -Van Bommel- Asamoah Robinho/Seedorf Pato - Ibrahimovic	Abbiati Abate - Nesta - T.Silva - Taiwo Montolivo -Van Bommel- Boateng Robinho/Seedorf Pato - Ibrahimovic
Abbiati Abate - Nesta - T.Silva - Taiwo Gattuso - Van Bommel Pato - Boateng - El Shaarawy Ibrahimovic

So, it all begs the question as to what exactly Milan are hoping for from their next midfield purchase. Their current targets seem diametrically opposed as footballers, linked by nothing much more than the vague department within which they work.
It’s arguable that El Shaarawy might be a signing for the future who could well be given another chance to prove himself on loan in that wonderfully Italian way of shunning the opportunity to groom raw talent on the training ground six days a week. But in Asamoah and Montolivo they still have two very different options to ponder.
It may be that Massimiliano Allegri and Adriano Galliani are similar beasts to Cesare Prandelli, believing the Viola skipper to be the most natural heir to Gennaro Gattuso on the right side of midfield.
But the Ghanaian would appear the more suited to their needs, as well as the more talented generally, all at a very similar asking price. The only sticking point there is the back-to-back African Cups of Nations coming up, meaning they’d lose out on Asamoah (as well as Boateng) for up to five months in each of the next two years.
That may well be the only thing holding them back from buying the best man for the job.


Nini/Goal