Newcastle rumours to new-found form: Thiaw a welcome additional resource for Fonseca | OneFootball

Malick Thiaw’s future at AC Milan seemed to be uncertain during the summer transfer window, but now he is once again a crucial part of the defence.

When Thiaw struggled in the opening game of the season against Torino – scoring an own-goal after failing to clear a ball off the line – journalist began sharpening their pans and fans readied their social media verdicts.

After a difficult 2023-24 season due to a combination of lengthy absences and general bad form as part of an overall struggling department, all the talk over the summer was about the German departing for pastures new.

Summer speculation

There was talk of Newcastle United being interested in signing him, while the shadows over the former Schalke man grew when the arrival of Strahinja Pavlovic from Red Bull Salzburg was confirmed later in the window.

Then, it all seemed to change because of two things. The first was Pierre Kalulu’s exit to Juventus, which bumped him up one in the centre-back pecking order and also ruled out another departure in the eyes of the management.

Then, a report came from Patrick Berger of Sky Germany regarding the rumours that a €41m move to Newcastle for Thiaw was imminent. As part of that, he declares that Thiaw could ‘imagine the idea of staying at Milan’ because he is ‘very happy in Italy’.

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With that positive spirit in mind, Thiaw set about on his path towards a resurgence at Milan. It started with getting fully fit, something not helped by the sprained ankle that kept him out for just under a month in September.

When he returned from that, though, he also seemed to return to top form. It started with that difficult match against Udinese, a 1-0 win and a clean sheet after the Rossoneri played for over 60 minutes with 10 men.

Turning point achieved

Paulo Fonseca seems convinced by him and has not been able to leave him out since. Only against Slovan Bratislava did he decide to rotate and the results were two goals conceded against a team that had previously only scored twice in four games.

Sometimes we need to be reminded that Thiaw is just 23 years of age, but his previous high-level performances with Milan – particularly in 2022-23 as part of a three-man defence – and his appearances for the senior German national team make him seem beyond his years.

In recent games he has gone back to showing that attention, tactical discipline and even ability in the build-up phase that make him potentially a mix of an old-school centre-half and a more modern interpretation of the role.

Photo by AC Milan

Then there was that night in Madrid. At the Santiago Bernabeu he opened the scoring with his first goal for the club and it set the Diavolo on their way to a memorable 3-1 victory. Los Blancos didn’t score from open play, and part of that was down to Thiaw’s commandeering display at the back.

As Fonseca continues to search for affirmation regarding the centre-back pairing that he can rely upon, positive signs are coming from Thiaw and from Matteo Gabbia, while Pavlovic and Tomori have been relegated for now it seems.

The data

With 22 goals conceded in 17 games played, it can be strongly argued that the lack of an established central defensive duo has hurt any attempts to build resilience, with the chemistry and cohesion not allowed to build.

However, Fonseca has also made it clear that he is not only in a phase of trying to figure out what each of his centre-backs can bring, but he also wishes to manage their minutes too given the hectic nature of the schedule.

Below is how the various combinations used have done so far. Though Gabbia-Thiaw hasn’t been tried too much, there are green shoots.

➤ Gabbia-Tomori: Five starts, five goals conceded, one clean sheet. ➤ Thiaw-Pavlovic: Four starts, five goals conceded, two clean sheets. ➤ Tomori-Pavlovic: Four starts, nine goals conceded. ➤ Thiaw-Tomori: Two starts, three goals conceded. ➤ Gabbia-Pavlovic: One start, zero goals conceded, one clean sheet. ➤ Gabbia-Thiaw: Two starts, zero goals conceded, two clean sheets.

Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images

Looking at some comparisons in stats between last season and this season for Thiaw, FBRef provide some striking data.

His pass completion is up to 94.3% from 91.6%, with 83.6% on long passes (up from 73.9%). Thiaw is attempting more long passes too (7.86 per 90 to 6.39 per 90), perhaps because of Fonseca’s instructions.

Tackle numbers are down from 1.89 per 90 last season to exactly 1 this season, but his success percentage is higher (71% to 49%). He remains around the same on interception and clearances, while aerial duels won has gone up from 2.06 to 2.43.

The German rock and the boyhood Milan fan can be the complementary pairing many never thought they would be, but the field will do the talking starting with the test against Atalanta on Friday.