Veterans, the regret and the supernova: Milan’s full-back puzzle analysed

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·25 de março de 2025

Veterans, the regret and the supernova: Milan’s full-back puzzle analysed

Among the various areas within the squad that AC Milan must fine-tune this summer is the full-back department, given the amount of unknowns.

What has happened over the past few months at Milan shows that both sides of the defence were not addressed coming into the campaign. Theo Hernandez is out of form with nobody to challenge him or let him rest, while the opposite flank has been a merry-go-round.

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As we have already highlighted in analysis pieces regarding the midfield, the centre-backs and the strikers, there perhaps isn’t a part of the squad construction that any member of the management would be fully satisfied with at present. In fact, almost all have holes.

The rumours at the moment is that Fabio Paratici is in talks to be the new sporting director and he will have already made some evaluations on the squad. Who out of the current full-backs should stay, and where is there room for improvement?

The supernova

Why is Theo Hernandez the ‘supernova’? Well, it’s what happens when a star burns out. His season has been one of cooling breaks, missed penalties and red cards rather than the incredible runs and goals fans have grown to know and love.

Both Paulo Fonseca and Sergio Conceicao have perhaps held on to hope for a bit too long that the Frenchman can get back to his best at any moment. The impression, however, is that the No.19 has lost the stimuli that over the last five years have made him one of the best in his role.

The Rossoneri need Theo for the run-in and – if his performances pick up – he could regain the trust of the club and fans, thus reopening the renewal discussions, but also to return to being an attractive profile for clubs around Europe if a sale were on the table.

Milan are partly culpable for the decline shown, because Hernandez still doesn’t have a natural deputy. The new director must make a quick decision whether to back him (and try push through a renewal) to hopefully provide the necessary injection or fuel, or if to invest in a replacement.

The veteran

Turning to the right-back role in view of 2025-26, it starts from once certainty: Kyle Walker has convinced everyone during his time on loan so far and will be signed on a permanent basis from Manchester City.

In truth his performances have not necessarily been outstanding, but his bunch of 6/10 outings have steadied a flank that was being systematically targeted under the previous starters. He may not have the same explosive pace and physicality, but even at 34 there is more than enough in the tank.

Walker offers versatility as well, which could become a key attribute when thinking about the head coach. A potential switch to a three-man defence could see him shift to being right-sided centre-back, as he has been with England.

Above all, the ex-Spurs man offers leadership and that winning experience which many within the squad don’t have. His minutes may need to be managed, and he could even be a useful mentor to a player lined up to take his starting spot.

Photo by Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images

The regret

Milan decided last summer that they needed a new starting right-back, and their solution was to sign Emerson Royal from Tottenham for €15m plus €2m in bonuses. To this point, it has proven to be a disastrous choice.

Most of his performances were sub-par and even those that weren’t were only a passing grade. It led the directors to go for a mid-season solution by getting Walker from Manchester City, and at the same time talks were held with clubs about Emerson’s exit.

The 26-year-old was injured on January 24 in the Champions League match against Girona. The former Barcelona man lasted only two minutes before suffering a high-grade lesion in his right calf, forcing him to miss two months, meaning he should return soon.

However, it already feels like his days at Milan are numbered again because there is talk of a summer exit. At best he could be a back-up, though that doesn’t feel like a realistic or positive possibility for all parties involved.

The head vs. heart

Alessandro Florenzi has had a torrid time with injuries since arriving at the club, with several operations on his knee seeing him miss big chunks of each season. Yet, there is talk of him being offered a renewal.

Obviously Florenzi is useful because of his versatility, experience and his homegrown player status, which is useful for the composition of the squad list. There could even be an argument that as a player required to play 10-15 games per season he can do an acceptable job.

The issue though is that – if Florenzi were to extend his deal – his salary would have to be significantly lower than the €3m net he earns now, given it is nearly double in gross due to no Growth Decree. That, coupled with the injury problems, should see head rule over heart.

The young unknowns

Alex Jimenez is one of the most interesting cases within the squad in general, with the teenager having been fully promoted to the first team now. Real Madrid still have a say in his future which Milan are looking to change or at least postpone, for some peace of mind.

Thus, it feels same to plan for Jimenez being in the squad for 2025-26. What must be determined is whether he as seen as a right-back, a left-back or someone who can and will play both sides. If a three-at-the-back formation, the possibility of wing-back would also emerge.

Then there is Davide Bartesaghi, who seems to have been in the first team orbit since the start of last season without ever amassing enough meaningful minutes. His development has continued in Serie C with Milan Futuro even if the team have struggled this season.

Nonetheless, at the age of 19 the summer will bring a crossroads: Milan must either keep him in the Futuro (which seems like the worst option), loan him out to the right club or keep him to be the deputy left-back.

Then there is Filippo Terracciano, who seems furthest away from the scene at the moment. He was all set to go out on loan in January but the plug was pulled before the Dinamo Zagreb away game. A sale or potentially a loan both seem on the table at present.

Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/AC Milan via Getty Images

The gaps

So, how do Milan head into next season with the right options at full-back? If Theo Hernandez leaves – which seems more likely than not at the moment – then going for a player like Maxim De Cuyper seems obvious. As a starter for Belgium at 24, he is ready for a big jump.

There have been transfer links, and there are rumours of talks with his agent. He is more proficient in an attacking sense than the defending, but that should be fine if the rest of the defence and the midfield are set up in the right way from a relationism standpoint.

Something a bit more left-field might be a move for a player like Destiny Udogie, who is yet to really reach his full potential at Spurs and is battling with Djed Spence for a spot. Milan are known admirers of Udogie and he might accept a move back to Italy, also to further his international ambitions.

Another option is Alejandro Grimaldo of Bayer Leverkusen. The 29-year-old Spaniard has been outstanding since moving to the Bundesliga and was part of last season’s incredible double win, and he certainly fits the bill of an attacking left-back if going for a like-for-like replacement.

If Theo were to remain at the club, then a proper deputy needs to be established. That can be an internal solution like Jimenez or Bartesaghi, or it could be a signing to help the homegrown quota such as Fabiano Parisi, while Emerson Palmieri might be a more experienced option.

The management face arguably an equally big decision(s) regarding the right side. They must decide whether to rely on Walker as a starter for at least another full season, with Jimenez as a deputy, or if spending on the starter of the future is the right move.

Someone that might have caught the eye during the two Champions League legs is Feyenoord right-back Givairo Read, though he is only 18. Domestically, Emil Holm and Gabriele Zappa might be lower-cost but dependable alternatives.

There are some intriguing options in the Bundesliga, such as Joe Scally of Borussia Monchengladbach and Kiliann Sildillia of SC Freiburg.