Milan's Strategy on Youth Players Amid Morata's Absence

AC Milan is going through a rather difficult period. Now that striker Alvaro Morata is unavailable due to a muscle injury, the club’s loyal fans can rest assured he will not be playing against Parma, Lazio, and also representing his country in the upcoming international duty. Some may claim that it is hardly a proper time for such misfortunes considering that the team has not been playing well throughout the season. The heated discussion that has arisen both on the part of supporters and professionals is focused on potential replacements. While Luka Jovic and Noah Okafor are the two candidates suggested by the former to succeed, Francesco Camarda is the one offered by the latter to address the issue both here and now.

Speaking on TMW Radio, journalist Franco Ordine has offered an absolutely brilliant idea to address the issue. Ordine has sensibly proposed that Camarda is the ideal option for the club as he is at the peak of his form and spirits:

They can bet on him: Marco Giampaolo brought him to Milan in the summer and presented him to the coach of the senior team. The striker is really strong, a Milanisti and his first professional brace came yesterday with the Futuro in Coppa Serie C. And this coincides with Milan’s policy: investing in and exploiting the potential of the second team.

Ultimately, the proposed idea is aligned with luck, divine justice, and similar suspicions. There is indeed no better moment to bet on youth players while covering for a star. What is especially interesting about the situation is that the given request should sound appealing to the executives. As it has been recently announced, the club has carried out a meaningful investment in its youth system by spending 12 million euros. As luck would have it, the money was not squandered as is highlighted by Francesco Camarda’s recent performance. Overall, the current tender age of the first team should not be perceived as a mere coincidence. Alvaro Morata has likely drawn attention to the fact in his recent post-match reflections. Despite a good start, the player was not satisfied with his performance. He has pointed out: “It is a good start, but we must win every game. Now comes the difficult part, we have to be prepared for everything. […] Here, every game is complicated. Cagliari was 0-2 ahead, and it was such a difficult fight. […] You have to fight here for every point, and there is a long way to go.”

From this perspective, making Francesco Camarda his substitute is not quite a strategy for the present and future. It is rather a line of conduct that becomes the only choice for the given circumstances. Milan now needs to grow youth players capable of dealing with Serie A and later european competitions. It is difficult, but it can and should be done, and Francesco Camarda seems ready to bear this home. Thus, the choice to turn to him can shed light on whether the club is ready for such challenges or prefers to get lost without a trace like so many others. It is hardly an exaggeration to state that the given period is likely to determine Milan’s future. In other words, it is provide time for Milan, like players, and the fans as well.