[han2503]

Allegri plans Milan shuffle

January will apparently see Massimiliano Allegri look to adopt a new tactical system with Milan, to incorporate Keisuke Honda but not Stephan El Shaarawy.

Speculation from the Corriere dello Sport today indicates that the Rossoneri will develop a 4-2-3-1 system from the turn of the year, if Honda’s anticipated arrival from CSKA Moscow goes through.

Putting aside the team’s current 4-3-1-2 module, Allegri reportedly will opt for a shape placing Ricky Kaka, Honda and Mario Balotelli as three behind single striker Giampaolo Pazzini.

Pazzini is seen as Allegri’s preferred striker over Alessandro Matri, whilst the indication is that El Shaarawy’s first-team opportunities will be increasingly limited in this new system.

Nigel de Jong and Riccardo Montolivo would be the Rossoneri’s first-choice duel axis in midfield, backed by a defence set to include Adil Rami.

[Danny]

The 1-2 doesn't work (Whether pigeon holing Birsa there or trying to recapture the old days with Kaka), and as Han (and others) alluded to, while the 4-3-3 did work last year, we don't have the players to really accommodate it now. Especially as SES has lost his way.

This posited idea of Balo, Honda and Kaka together as a dynamic 3 behind a sole striker isn't the worst idea I've heard. Pazzini is a great goal-scorer and those 3 will create plenty chances for him, and themselves.

It's an attempt at doing something different and personally speaking if it does happen and it works, I applaud it.

Also, it clearly means an attempt to offload SES once and for all. I think he'll be sold next window if we get Honda.