Coubis nightmare against Chelsea reminds Milan why they need new defender | OneFootball

If Max Allegri needed any more confirmation how badly need Milan require a replacement for Malick Thiaw, it was provided by a nightmare Andrei Coubis performance against Chelsea.

The Germany international left the training camp this afternoon so he could travel to Newcastle United’s camp, where he can undergo medical tests tomorrow and complete the €40m transfer.

There are several options to replace him, including Koni De Winter of Genoa, Parma’s Giovanni Leoni, and Fiorentina centre-back Pietro Comuzzo.

Coubis disaster in Chelsea vs. Milan

DUBLIN, IRELAND – AUGUST 09: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, reacts during the pre-season friendly match between Leeds United and AC Milan at Aviva Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Milan currently have only three central defenders in the whole squad and the lack of strength in depth was hammered home during the opening 18 minutes of today’s friendly with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Coubis was promoted from the Milan Futuro youth team and has never made a competitive appearance for the senior squad, but he received a start in London rather than Matteo Gabbia.

It was a disaster for the 21-year-old, who scored an own goal in the fifth minute when clumsily deflecting a Reece James free kick into the net off his shin.

He was then shown a straight red card at the 18th minute for hauling down Joao Pedro, who had run onto a basic long ball over the top when they were already 2-0 down.

Coubis was not really expected to remain at Milan anyway, as he is on the verge of a move to Cesena in Serie B.