Five things Clarence Seedorf must do to make AC Milan great again is a post from: Just Football
Clarence Seedorf has made an emotional return to the club where he spent an illustrious ten years, winning numerous trophies. With AC Milan languishing in 11th position in Serie A, only 6 points off the relegation zone, the Dutch legend is under no illusions as to the enormity of the task that lies ahead. “We’ve got a lot of hard work ahead to take Milan back to the top again,” Seedorf told reporters.
Much has been said of the man himself, but what does Seedorf need to do to change Milan for the better? Let’s take a look at five issues the Dutchman faces:
1) Improve the defence
Any good structure is built on a solid foundation. For decades, AC Milan boasted a consistent and world class backline upon which great success was built. However in the past 18 months Milan has been categorised by some shambolic defending and defensive displays. Coincidentally it was a game in which Milan conceded four goals that led to Max Allegri’s dismissal.
Fundamental in Seedorf reverting Milan to anywhere close to prior glories will be to rectify the defence and rectify it fast.
Milan have leaked a staggering 30 goals in 19 league games with only Livorno, Bologna (both 33), Catania (34) and Sassuolo (41) conceding more goals this season (after week 19).
The arrival of Adil Rami should provide Seedorf and Milan with added quality and an aerial presence at the back. Seedorf will need to settle on a consistent centre back pairing which Allegri swapped and changed far too often since the exit of Thiago Silva and Alessandro Nesta.
Improving Milan’s defensive tactical organisation and defending of set pieces is of particular importance for Seedorf.
2) Fix the formation
Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Gallaini’s love of the 4-3-1-2 and the use of trequarista is well documented. Much of Allegri’s tenure was spent trying to force this formation upon a Milan side which was clearly not built for it. Allegri eventually defaulted to a very rigid and hard-working 4-3-3 in the second half of last season which brought much success. This season however he switched between a 4-3-1-2 and the Christmas Tree, 4-3-2-1.
One of Seedorf’s first tasks will be to settle on a suitable formation which matches the strong points of the Milan squad. The arrival of Keisuke Honda in January, a player who can be used in various formations, provides Seedorf with an added attacking dimension.
3) Maintain discipline, instil greater professionalism
Arguably Seedorf’s biggest priority will be to instil a degree of authoritative command over the Milan squad. Unfortunately, synonymous with Allegri’s regime was a lack of discipline and professionalism that crept into the Rossoneri’s play.
In 19 league games this season Milan have picked up 4 red cards already which have also included an extended three match suspension for Sulley Muntari and Mario Balotelli for their dismissals. Last season’s Serie A campaign saw Milan accumulate 8 red cards. Comparatively, champions Juventus picked up one red card last season and have one red card thus far this season.
It is imperative Seedorf hardwires discipline and professionalism into everything Milan do, from training to matchday performances.
4) Get the best out of Mario Balotelli
Milan’s third highest scorer in the 2012/2013 season (12 goals in 13 games), top scorer in the 2013/2014 season thus far (7), and the highest scorer in Serie A for the 2013 calendar year (18) – None other than Super Mario.
But the question remains: have we seen the best of Mario Balotelli yet? The easy answer is: no. The 23-year-old forward boasts impressive statistics for the 2013 calendar year but such is the enormity of his talent, the Milan supporters demand much more.
See also: Mario Balotelli goal stats 2012/13
Balotelli has been guilty of not always giving 100% and possesses a bad disciplinary record. On top of all this, and by no fault of his own, he has at times been left as a very isolated figure at the head of a very disjointed Milan setup.
Balotelli is undoubtedly one of Milan’s and in fact Italy’s most dangerous players. A game changer, which every coach requires. Firstly, Seedorf will need to get Balotelli motivated and firing on all cylinders. Secondly, he will need to provide him with adequate support and creativity. With a combination of the two mentioned factors, perhaps then we will finally see the best of Mario Balotelli in a Milan shirt.
See also: Just Football’s top 10 best strikers in the world 2012/13 (Balotelli 10th)
5) Make the most of the transfer market with limited funds
Having retired from football to take the job, Seedorf joins Milan slap bang in the middle of the January transfer window. This is however a very different Milan he arrives at to the one he joined as a player in 2002. The glamour days and big money signings have been replaced with a period of austerity for the club and owner Silvio Berlusconi.
In a world of Financial Fair Play, Milan no longer have the economic freedom to splash money. Rather, intelligent and astute spending will go a long way to improving the Milan squad. There are a number of issues Seedorf, in alliance with Galliani, can address with regards Milan’s recent transfer campaigns.
They can improve scouting and the purchase of young talent; promote and integrate any standout current talent in the Primavera; streamline the wage bill (no more unnecessary purchases simply to cover injured players as an example); sell players who are no longer required; aggressively pursue any identified reasonably priced targets (before lose them to rivals) and finally look to make purchases in the winter windows early instead of on deadline day, which is two weeks into the season.
A
colossal challenge awaits Clarence Seedorf at Milan, but one he will surely embrace with open arms. His CV as a player is impeccable and his transition from player to coach will be scrutinised by the entire world. If Seedorf can positively change the factors listed above perhaps he can add a further chapter to his Milan love affair; however this time not as a casting member but as the lead role.
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The post Five things Clarence Seedorf must do to make AC Milan great again appeared first on Just Football.