Former Milan coach Fabio Capello asserts that Massimiliano Allegri`s squad will be ready to contend for the Serie A championship, provided they secure a striker capable of scoring 20 goals per season by the end of the summer transfer window. Capello specifically highlights Dusan Vlahovic as an ideal candidate for this role.
Allegri, who commenced his second tenure as Milan`s head coach this summer, has overseen a bustling transfer period. While it started with the departure of Tijjani Reijnders to Manchester City, the club has since brought in notable talents such as Luka Modric, Samuele Ricci, Pervis Estupinan, and Pietro Terracciano.
Furthermore, the Rossoneri have finalized a €37 million agreement with Club Brugge for Ardon Jashari, making him the most expensive acquisition in Serie A during the current transfer period. The Swiss international successfully completed his medical examination in Milan on Wednesday morning.
In addition, Milan is nearing an agreement to sign right-back Zachary Athekame. The club also continues its pursuit of a new forward to provide competition and rotation for Santiago Gimenez, who joined in January.
Capello Comments on Jashari`s “Significant” Cost, Calls Him “Great”
Capello shared his detailed evaluation of Milan`s summer transfer activity in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, published earlier this week.
While acknowledging Milan`s substantial investment in Jashari for a Serie A club, Capello anticipates the player will inject a fresh dynamic into the Rossoneri midfield.
“This represents a considerable outlay for an Italian club,” Capello stated to La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I must confess, I only observed him during last year’s Champions League, but he strikes me as a truly remarkable talent. He possesses the potential to become a top player in that position in the future. From my perspective, this signing is essentially a major coup for Milan.”
Capello: Vlahovic`s Proven Goal-Scoring Prowess and Milan`s Scudetto Push
Capello further elaborated that for Milan to launch a serious Scudetto challenge this season, they critically require a dependable goal-scoring central striker.
“Primarily, it’s a matter of statistics,” Capello clarified. “Gimenez is currently the sole striker in the squad, and his initial six months at the club raised some questions, a sentiment shared by many regarding other players as well. While he displayed glimpses of potential, it was insufficient given the significant transfer fee paid by the club and the high expectations surrounding his arrival.”
The Mexican international transferred to Milan from Feyenoord for a reported €35 million, including bonuses, towards the close of the winter transfer window.
Capello added, “It`s important to acknowledge that Milan faced numerous challenges last year, which certainly provides some mitigating circumstances for Gimenez`s performance.”
Capello was then questioned about his confidence in Milan`s ability to contend for both the Scudetto and Coppa Italia titles, especially considering their absence from European competitions this upcoming season.
“Yes, I do have that feeling,” Capello affirmed. “I always maintain that achieving success in May is considerably easier when you possess a striker capable of netting 20 goals, as opposed to not having one.”
When asked if he believes Vlahovic could be Milan`s elusive 20-goal striker this season, Capello responded:
“He previously accomplished this feat at Fiorentina, and even during his last season under Max at Juventus, he came quite close,” Capello stated. “Vlahovic is a true penalty-box striker. He possesses an innate ability to score, particularly if he can regain his confidence and receive ample opportunities. As I`ve mentioned before, he would arrive eager to prove himself and would likely face reduced pressure. These factors are far from minor.”
