Two years ago, on May 22, 2022, AC Milan celebrated their 19th Serie A title with a 3-0 victory against Sassuolo. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was still playing, and coach Stefano Pioli was enjoying his peak moment at the helm of the Rossoneri. The squad that day featured Maignan in goal, with Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori, and Hernandez in defense, while Tonali, Krunic, and Kessié formed the midfield. Up front were Saelemaekers, Giroud, and Leao. At that time, no one would have guessed that Paulo Fonseca would one day succeed Pioli as manager.
Fast forward to the present, and the Milan squad has seen significant changes. Five players from that starting eleven have since departed, while two others, Calabria and Saelemaekers, no longer have guaranteed starting spots. Key figures remaining are Maignan, Tomori, Hernandez, and Leao, who are now the foundation for Milan’s ambitions in the 2024-25 season.
The first to leave was Franck Kessié, a dynamic presence in midfield. With his contract ending, he decided to join Barcelona, but his time there didn’t go as planned, and he is now in Saudi Arabia. Milan fans hope to fill the void left by Kessié with Youssouf Fofana, although the Frenchman has made it clear he’s not here to replace anyone.
Last summer, Sandro Tonali also departed, making the move to Newcastle after they presented an offer too good to refuse, despite the midfielder’s deep love for Milan. Rade Krunic followed, moving to Fenerbahçe in January. Recently, Olivier Giroud announced his departure to Los Angeles for a last hurrah in his career, and Pierre Kalulu has officially joined Juventus just yesterday.
Ismael Bennacer is another name that might be on the way out. Although not a regular starter during the title-winning season, he played a significant role. Fode Ballo-Touré is also set to leave Milan, even after a potential transfer to Saint Etienne fell through; he finds himself completely sidelined. Alessandro Florenzi is nursing a serious injury sustained in the US and won’t be back until 2025. However, Matteo Gabbia has returned to the club after a loan spell at Villarreal.
Calabria and Saelemaekers are still part of the squad, but their status as starters is uncertain. The captain’s contract is set to expire in 2025, and, as of now, no agreement has been reached for a renewal. He will face competition from Emerson Royal, a new addition from the 2024 transfer window. Meanwhile, Saelemaekers had a spell on loan at Bologna but seemed to be on his way out before proving his worth to Fonseca during pre-season.
In summary, only Maignan, Tomori, Hernandez, and Leao are secure in their starting positions, at least on paper. The real test will come on the pitch, where performances can quickly alter the hierarchy established in the squad.
