Riccardo Montolivo- Good signing for the Rossoneri?

Riccardo Montolivo is a talented midfield player for Fiorentina and the Italian National Team. Over the past few seasons, he has been heavily linked with a move away for the Tuscan based club. Where has he been rumored to be heading? Milan. Milan’s manager, Allegri, announced the other day that Montolivo will be joining Milan this summer. This is a big signing for Milan considering they will be losing several midfielders at the end of this season. Veterans Gennaro Gattuso, Mark Van Bommel, and Clarence Seedorf are all leaving Milan this summer.So just who is Riccardo Montolivo? He was born on January 18, 1985, which makes him 27 years old. He was born in Caravaggio, Italy to an Italian father and German mother. Montolivo began his professional career with Atalanta and played there for 3 seasons before leaving for Fiorentina, where he has been since. Riccardo has scored 17 goals in Serie A for Fiorentina, but scoring is not his strength. Montolivo is known more for his playmaking ability, similar to Andrea Pirlo. He has great creativity and can set up his teammates well to put them in a position to score. Riccardo Montolivo also plays for the Italian National Team. He made his debut for Italy in 2007 against South Africa. Montolivo has scored one goal so far for Italy, but be sure to look out for him in Euro 2012. I think this is a great signing for Milan. Ever since Pirlo left Milan last summer, Milan has been looking for that creative, playmaking midfielder. Like I said, they are in need of new, young, and creative midfielders and Montolivo ticks all those boxes. Montolivo will be paired up with players like Antonio Nocerino, Kevin Prince Boateng, and Urby Emanuelson in the midfield.

Riccardo can also play the “trequartista” position as it’s known in Italy. The “trequartista” is an attacking midfielder that plays right behind the strikers. I expect a lot of the offense to flow through Montolivo once his arrives in Milan. This is a good step in the right direction for Milan. I also think for Montolivo, playing at a bigger club like Milan, will help his career out and help make him a better player.The big question is, will the signing of Montolivo help Milan regain the Scudetto from Juventus next season? We will have to wait and see.