Milan to offload youngsters
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has indicated the club could offload some of its lesser-used younger players over the next few weeks so that they can gain much-needed first-team experience elsewhere.
A day before the Rossoneri host Reggina in an Italian Cup last 16 tie, Allegri said it was time Milan's 32-man squad was trimmed.
The coach, however, did not specify which players would go, indicating only that rarely-used French striker Mbaye Niang would remain at the club.
"We have a squad of 32 players... and the board have agreed that some younger players will be leaving to gain experience and others will leave to get some first team football," said Allegri.
"Niang will stay certainly.
"He can play as a central striker, but he has his own characteristics: he's good in front of goal and he learns very quickly.
"He could come in handy for the second half of the season."
After starting the season in disastrous fashion following the loss of several key players in the summer, Milan have enjoyed a resurgence of late to climb up to seventh in Serie A, albeit 14 points behind leaders and defending champions Juventus.
One youngster the club won't be sidelining is 20-year-old Stephan El Shaarawy, who with 13 league goals tops the Serie A scoring charts.
Allegri, however, put a shot across the precocious youngster's bows.
"Stephan is doing very well but he is still only 20 and has room for improvement in a lot of different areas of his game."
