Did you miss Zlatan? He is again in the trend, and it is not even about the exploits he accomplished overseas. It goes to returning Ibrahimovic to Milan. If this transition is realized, then it may become perhaps the loudest deal of winter.. The clubs, however, have yet to agree among themselves: Ibra’s contract with Los Angeles Galaxy ends in December 2019, and the Americans are not going to easily part with the main star. However, no one bothers to assess the potential of this transfer right now..
Optimism Mastery Ibrahimovic still drags, despite all the difficulties. Cruciate ligament rupture, which he received in April 2017, could lead to the end of his career. Zlatan fell for almost a whole year, which is more than critical at his age, but with his game in the MLS he proved that it was too early for him to tie. The statistics are impressive: 22 goals in 27 matches, and how spectacular were his goals, especially the debut! Of course, MLS is not a top championship, but it’s far from an amateur tournament.. Ibrahimovic’s bombing exploits suggest that he regained his firm confidence on the field (personal charisma never left him) and is ready to play at the highest level.
Desire The main thing is that Zlatan himself wants to return to this side of the Atlantic Ocean.. Moreover, his priority is Milan. According to numerous media reports, he actually persuaded his agent Mino Rayol to begin negotiations with the Rossoneri, and he himself made concessions: in particular, initially demanded a contract for a year and a half, but then agreed to a half-year, and with a relatively low salary - 2 million euro for six months.
Why this transfer Rayole? To consolidate the successful folding relationship with the current leadership of Milan (remember how Mino clung to Fassone and Mirabelli). Why Ibrahimovic is Milan? It's not just a matter of personal nostalgia and the applause of the 80,000-strong San Siro; Ibra just needs to be here..
Demand Attack - not the most complete position "Rossoneri". Center forward only two, Higuain and Cutrone. It seems to be enough for the arrangement of 4-3-3, but it’s already more difficult to play the two forwards scheme, because then they have no replacement at all. It is even worse when injuries are disqualified, which has already happened during the season.. On the other hand, three players of the same type are brute force.. Milan would be ideally suited to a universal striker like Mertens, who can emerge both in the center and on the flank - in recent matches Gattuso tries on this role for Castillejo herself, but the effect is still near-zero.
Ibrahimovic can be a good temporary solution.. It is not necessary to put it in every match, but when playing on two fronts, the coach will have room for maneuver, especially if Gattuso continues to use 4-4-2.
Pessimism Age Zlatan is not a boy. He is 37 years old, and his transition can be called anything but an investment for the future.. Therefore, the club so stubbornly does not want to sign at least a relatively long contract with Ibra. A priori, there will be fears that the veteran will physically decline and sooner or later will not withstand the strain - here we recall the recent injury. However, it is appropriate to note that, on average, Milan is a young team, and an experienced master will not interfere with them..
Character Ibrahimovic should always be not just a star number 1, but the center of the Galaxy, around which all other stars and planets revolve. "Los Angeles, welcome to Zlatan" is a wonderful phrase spoken by a Swede in a promo released for his arrival in America. In many ways, therefore, Ibra did not play in Barcelona: “more than a club” and “more than a player” were not made for each other. Is Zlatan ready for being caught up by Higuain, who is in the juice, and even by the young Cutrone? Mind, he must understand that his desire to return to Milan does not guarantee him a place at the base, but how will he turn out in practice? In any case, there is a certain risk in such a transition..
Precedents Ex-star of the club returns to Milan. Somewhere we already heard it, and not once. It turned out, to put it mildly, so-so. There are a lot of examples, and the most obvious of them is our Andrey Shevchenko, who, returning from Chelsea for the 2008/09 season, did not score a single goal in the championship, having once again distinguished himself in the UEFA Cup and Italy Cup. No comparison with the Sheva, who previously kicked 127 goals in Serie A.
Other examples. Kaka and the season 2013/14: not a failure (30 matches, 7 goals in the championship, 6/2 in the Champions League), but not the magic for which the Brazilian received the Golden Ball. Mario Balotelli and rent in season 2015/16: only 1 goal in 20 games of Serie A. Kevin-Prince Boateng, same season and semi-annual rent: 1 goal in 11 matches. If desired, you can also dig into the story, remembering not the best comebacks Marco Simone and Roberto Donadoni. Ibre will have to work hard to break this pattern..
Conclusion Still, the game is worth the candle. Ibrahimovic should strengthen the attack of Milan, as well as add confidence to the team. Let's be honest:
the Rossoneri has a poor pass game, and the team is one of the worst in the league for riding combats. Who else could be useful to her, if not Zlatan with his physical characteristics and sense of the moment? In addition, its signing is a strong image move, practically the answer to the transfer of Ronaldo. Even if Ibra will not be able to sparkle, Milan will once again draw attention to itself, and in the championship as such will be added spices. "Italy, welcome back to Zlatan" - why not?.