How AC Milan will line up with USMNT stars Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah

The undisputed starter, Mike Maignan has been Milan's go-to since joining in 2021. Unfortunately, he was forced to withdraw from France's squad for the World Cup as he remains one of the world's best, having won Serie A's Best Goalkeeper award after his debut season.

One of the best left-backs in the world, Theo Hernandez has truly blossomed since joining from Real Madrid in 2019. He's played at least 36 games in each of his four seasons in Milan, making the Serie A Team of the Season three times during that span.

And, at 25, Hernandez is still improving, making him one of the club's most prized assets.

The first of several ex-Chelsea stars in this team, Tomori has really blossomed since arriving in Italy. After spending a half-season on loan with Milan in 2020-21, the club made his deal permanent that summer and he's been ever-present since.

Tomori has made 107 total appearances for the Rossoneri, but controversially missed out on England's squad for the 2022 World Cup.

Malick Thiaw joined Milan last summer for a relatively modest fee of €5 million, but he's since become a rising star for club and country. The Germany international, who has two caps to his name, made 24 appearances last season and should have a key role again his campaign.

The club captain, Davide Calabria has been with Milan since he was 10 years old, making his debut as a teenager back in 2015. He became a regular back in 2017-18 and has been vital ever since. He was given the armband ahead of the 2022-23 season.

The next former Chelsea player in the XI, Ruben Loftus-Cheek completed his move to Milan this summer after several seasons in and out of the line up at Stamford Bridge.

Milan offer him a chance to get the playing time he waited so long for at Chelsea as he now looks to lock down a starting role that could vault him back into the picture with England after five years out of the Three Lions' squad.

He'll face some competition for this spot, for sure, but Musah has the potential to be a starter for just about any team in the world. The young American spent part of his childhood in Italy, so it makes sense that he'll continue his journey with a club that is arguably the country's largest. Musah had outgrown Valencia and, with the Spanish side in need of money, it makes sense for all involved to part ways this summer.

A dynamic central midfielder, Musah is fantastic on the ball and has the ability to break the press and progress up field. His defensive work is improving, as evidenced by his performances for the USMNT in the Nations League, and there's no doubt he'll get even better in Italy.

In terms of competition, there's plenty, with Loftus-Cheek, Tijjani Reijnders and Tommaso Pobega among the options here. Pencilled-in starter Ismael Bennacer, meanwhile, is out of action for the start of the season, but can be expected to re-join the XI once he does return.

It won't be easy for Musah, but it never should be for a 20-year-old rising star eager to make a big leap. Milan is a place he could do just that, for sure.

One of the top attacking players in the world, and he's only getting better, Rafael Leao blossomed into a superstar over the last two seasons, scoring a combined 30 goals in those two campaigns. Just 24, Leao's speed and dribbling ability make him a true dangerman, and he's added plenty of goals to his game over the last few years.

Leao's decision to sign a new deal with Milan just before the end of last season was a massive win for the club, who have kept hold of a player that many thought would be Chelsea-bound at one point.

Pulisic's position will depend on what formation Milan go with, but it seems like the 4-2-3-1 is the best way to get the most out of the talent on the field to start the season.

Pulisic has played on the right, left and centrally during his career, and could play in any of those spots in Milan. However, with Leao on the left, it's unlikely he'll line up on that side unless the Portugal star is out of the team.

He's actually been very productive on the right when played there throughout his career, but the club's recent signing of Samuel Chukwueze gives them another good option on that side.

That, then, could leave Pulisic as the team's Brahim Diaz replacement after the Spanish star returned to Real Madrid this summer. Pulisic should be able to impact the game centrally, and we know he already has chemistry with Olivier Giroud.

We'll see how Milan line up for the second half of the season when Bennacer is back, but for now, a 4-2-3-1 with Pulisic as the No.10 seems to make sense.

One of the club's big summer signings, Chukwueze arrived by way of Villarreal. He scored 13 goals for the Yellow Submarine last season, featuring in 50 games in all competitions for the club.

A quick, talented winger, Chukwueze is a prototypical wide player that should help stretch defenses while Leao cuts in a bit more on the opposite side.

It seems Giroud is genuinely excited about Pulisic's arrival, with the two developing a bond during their time at Chelsea together. The 36-year-old striker remains as reliable as ever, having scored 18 goals last season after netting 14 the previous season.

You know what you're going to get with Giroud, who should help open up some gaps for Leao, Pulisic and Chukwueze to run through once that group adjusts to one another.