Christian Pulisic made his roughly $24 million move from Chelsea to AC Milan official on Wednesday signing a four-year contract with the Rossoneri. With his transfer complete we felt it was appropriate to look at a potential AC Milan starting XI 2023-24 lineup.
Milan manager Stefano Pioli has said that he has a different plan than Chelsea as to where Pulisic will play. Pioli plans to use the American star in the No. 10 role as an attacking midfielder rather than on the wings.
AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has driven Milan’s interest in Pulisic and wants to use him primarily as a No 10 — the role in which he has frequently shone at international level but has rarely been trusted to play for Chelsea and previous club Borussia Dortmund.@TheAthletic pic.twitter.com/8jWRqDas5n
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) July 3, 2023
Brahim Díaz mainly occupied the No. 10 position last season for Milan, however his loan spell ended, and he went back to Real Madrid.
Pulisic’s new number has been leaked too. He will have some massive shoes to fill as he will have No. 11 on his back. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who recently retired, wore that number for Milan last season.
— Milan Posts (@MilanPosts) July 12, 2023
Enough chit-chat let’s look at the potential AC Milan starting XI 2023-24 lineup.
Potential AC Milan starting XI 2023-24 lineup
Let’s start from the top and work down.
In the summer transfer window Milan said goodbye to star midfielder Sandro Tonali. Premier League side Newcastle reportedly paid around $76 million for him. This sale allowed Milan to make some moves for players this window.
One of those big moves could be for another American, Folarin Balogun. It’s only a rumor now but imagine if Pulisic gets to work with his former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud AND his new USMNT teammate Balogun.
BALOGUN TOP TARGET FOR AC MILAN In the hunt to acquire another option up top, AC Milan have set their sights on Folarin Balogun, according to Sky Sports reporter @DiMarzio. This on the heels of the Rossoneri completing a deal to bring Christian Pulisic to the San Siro. pic.twitter.com/GVZjhnHAha
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) July 11, 2023
On Pulisic’s left will be Milan’s danger-man, Rafael Leão. The 24-year-old Portuguese winger was electric last season with 16 goals and 15 assists. He and Pulisic could become a terrifying duo.
The right wing is still a question mark at the moment for Milan. The club was in the hunt for Villarreal talent Samuel Chukwueze, however the plan has started falling apart. The replacement option and more likely transfer would be 22-year-old Danish winger Gustav Isaksen.
Isaksen scored 22 goals and added nine assists last season for Midtjylland.
#SportMediaset: Samuel #Chukwueze is moving further away, as the gap between the offer and demand (10 million euros) is too significant. That's why the track leading to Gustav Isaksen is heating up, with both clubs in discussions. The Danish club has asked AC Milan to allow… pic.twitter.com/fQlFR14l7h
— Milan Posts (@MilanPosts) July 11, 2023
In the midfield behind Pulisic will be another former Chelsea teammate Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Chelsea let go of RLC for around $17 million this summer and the English midfielder said that Pulisic is set to accomplish big things in Italy.
"Huge talent!"
Ruben Loftus-Cheek praises Milan target Christian Pulisic pic.twitter.com/HNOx063NIJ— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 12, 2023
There were rumors that USMNT midfielder Yunus Musah would join Milan, however Fulham look poised to snatch him away. Rounding out the midfield is Rade Krunic. Next season will be his fifth with Milan.
The defense is unchanged from last season with the likes of Theo Hernandez, Fikayo Tomori (another one of Pulisic’s former Chelsea teammates), Malick Thiaw and club captain Davide Calabria.
In goal is Mike Maignan who made 29 appearances last season and recorded 10 clean sheets.
This next season is going to be fun.
American fans can watch every AC Milan game on Paramount+.
