AC Milan with a back four? The names on the shortlist for the full-back role

Amorim is working on a back four: what changes on the pitch and in the transfer market

The first glimpse came in the last league round against Lecce on 20 September. It feels like a lifetime ago, but the back-four build-up project is gathering pace and Amorim used this break to work on specific ideas. At the heart of it is Gila, who starts at right centre-back, shifts a few metres wider and becomes the team's right-back, with the job of driving through the opposition lines with central runs and starting moves by playing vertically into the striker. A new philosophy that could also shape the club's next transfer-market decisions if it brings the results they hope for.

ATHEKAME return

AC Milan's first signing for next season already has a name: Zachary Athekame. The 2004-born defender is enjoying the most exciting spell of his still young career. He has made an explosive start at Lyon, with two goals and two assists in his first five Ligue 1 matches. Fonseca is showing great faith in him and he is repaying it in style, so much so that he has also earned a call-up to the senior Switzerland national team: two assists on his full debut, just to keep the theme going.

Amorim had chosen to send him out on a straight loan because he sees potential in Athekame, but more as a full-back in a back four than as a wing-back in a 3-4-2-1. The move was also driven by the need to trim the squad and give the former Young Boys player the chance to play more regularly. He will return to AC Milan in July.

Portuguese Milan: Nuno Tavares and Tiago Santos

AC Milan have long admired Tiago Santos, Lille's right-back. The 2002-born defender has fully shaken off last season's fitness problems and is once again charging down his flank. In this first part of the campaign, he has already scored two goals in Ligue 1. His agent could also help. Guess who? Yes, Jorge Mendes, namely the man orchestrating the Goncalo Ramos and Diego Moreira deals to AC Milan.

Another Portuguese player is also one to watch, this time on the left flank: Nuno Taveres. AC Milan sounded out Lazio as early as last summer and could return, considering that the former Lazio man is doing really well this season with Gattuso on the bench.