Christian Pulisic is shining in Serie A, but his AC Milan teammates face an uncertain future. A disappointing season could lead to a mass exodus, with several players, including USMNT star Yunus Musah, potentially on the way out.
Christian Pulisic may be thriving in Serie A, but the same cannot be said for many of his AC Milan teammates.
The Rossoneri have endured a thoroughly disappointing season, currently languishing in ninth some nine points adrift of Bologna in the final Champions League qualifying spot, and a further 11 points behind league leaders Inter Milan. Led by Paulo Fonseca through December, he was let go by Milan with his side in eighth, subsequently replaced by countryman Sergio Conceicao.
Unfortunately for Pulisic and Co., things have yet to improve, despite winning the Supercoppa Italiana in early January – meaning several of his teammates could soon be in search of new teams, potentially including U.S. Men’s National Team star Yunus Musah.
Musah among players facing potential exit
Knocked out of the Champions League by Dutch side Feyenoord in the playoff round, things quickly got worse for Conceicao who led his side to four defeats in the next six Serie A games before bouncing back with draws in the Coppa Italia semifinal first leg against Inter and in the league versus Fiorentina.
Now with European soccer of any description in 2025-2026, let alone the Champions League, appearing less and less likely, the front office will soon have some tough decisions to make in order to cut costs and balance the books. As such, La Gazzetta dello Sport has suggested that no fewer than six players could be shown the exit.
Among those named was Musah, who has struggled to nail down a starting spot since arriving from Valencia in 2023. The 22-year-old has made 36 appearances for Milan this season, providing two assists and failing to find the back of the net. In fact, he has yet to score for Milan at all since signing for €20 million.
Musah’s future in doubt
His struggles with Milan could prove costly in the long run internationally as well, with Musah fighting for a spot on the flight back home for the 2026 FIFA World Cup – which will be held in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Meanwhile, defenders Theo Hernandez, Fikayo Tomori, Emerson Royal, as well as midfielders Samuel Chukwueze and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were also all pinpointed as possible departures in the upcoming transfer window.
Potential outsiders to also watch include goalkeeper Mike Maignan, defender Malick Thiaw, and forward Rafael Leao – although these would require more convincing from Milan’s perspective, it has been suggested.
Milan’s fight for redemption
For the time being, Milan’s players are not only fighting for their jobs but also the Rossoneri’s pride as they push for redemption in the final seven league games of the season. They also face the possibility of lifting a second piece of silverware this season, with the second leg of their semifinal in the Coppa Italia scheduled for April 23.
Should Milan beat Inter, it would face either Bologna or Empoli in the final on May 14. A win there would mark the first of Pulisic and Musah’s careers in Italy, and Milan’s first since 2003.
