#3 Riccardo Montolivo (AC Milan)
When Montolivo joined Italian giants AC Milan in 2012 on a free transfer from Fiorentina, the Rossoneri thought they had pulled off a brilliant signing. His initial performances were good, but the way the Italian midfielder’s performances have declined for the 7-time European champions has been startling.
He’s 31 years old, and a midfielder of his characteristics should have a lot of football left in him yet. But his erratic performances and tendency to give the ball away in crucial situations has invited the fury of Milan fans worldwide. An untimely injury that led him to miss large parts of last season, as well as the Euros didn’t help either.
Enter Vincenzo Montella. the manager who just missed out on Montolivo at Fiorentina and will now finally get the chance to manage him. How much Montolivo can impress Montella in pre-season will go a long way in determining if he’s going to retain his place in the Milan eleven, or if the club will look to bring in another midfielder who can play in his position.
