Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah & AC Milan new boys set Rafael Leao challenge by Mario Balotelli as former Rossoneri striker offers his services to Serie A giants

The Rossoneri, who savoured Serie A title glory in 2021-22, have become heavily reliant on their talismanic Portuguese forward. Efforts have been made to bring in creativity and firepower alongside him – with USMNT stars Pulisic and Musah acquired in the last transfer window – but big-money signings are still finding their feet.

Ex-Milan striker Balotelli has told TVPlay of the issues at San Siro: “I like [Stefano] Pioli, but if Leao isn’t good Milan do very little. If Leao has a bad day, it’s difficult for Milan to win.” Pulisic has registered two Serie A goals for Milan, while also being dropped in the Champions League, while fellow United States international Musah is being asked to fill an unfamiliar wing-back role.

Milan are considered to be alarmingly short in the striker department, with 36-year-old Olivier Giroud leading the way, and Balotelli has jokingly offered up his services having previously taken in two spells with the club. He added: “Here I am. Milan’s problem is that the young players you sign then have to deal with San Siro, which is not a stadium like any other, you need players with personality.”

Enigmatic Italy international Balotelli is now 33 years of age himself and is currently back in Turkey with Adana Demirspor as his nomadic career continues. There will be at least one more adventure left him, with the ex-Liverpool and Inter frontman saying when asked if he could join the mass exodus of players leaving Europe for Saudi Arabia: “If the project works, I too will go in a few years.”