Pioli waits for Tomori, Kalulu and Thiaw – the order of their returns

Stefano Pioli is eagerly awaiting the return of three of his best defenders but the AC Milan coach is going to wait a long time for all of them to be back in the team. 

As reported by Corriere dello Sport (via Milan News), the Rossoneri have been dearly missing Pierre Kalulu, Fikayo Tomori and Malick Thiaw in recent months with the defensive record declining.

Tomori and Thiaw in particular are missed because they had formed a partnership that started every game when both were available.

Both suffered muscle injuries towards the end of 2023 and have been key absentees. Theo Hernandez has had to play a number of games in central defence, the young Jan-Carlo Simic became a regular fixture in the first-team, and Matteo Gabbia was brought back from his loan at Villarreal.

The three defenders are on their way back, though, albeit at varying paces. The first to return should be Thiaw, who is expected back in roughly a month.

Once the German is back, it may not be long before Tomori joins him, which will undoubtedly make Milan better.

The wait for Kalulu and the depth he can bring will go on longer, with the Frenchman not expected to feature heavily during this season at all.