Capello’s Take: Milan’s January Striker Hunt Might Favor the English Before the Spaniards
2 December 2025
January Transfer Dilemma
Fabio Capello, the former Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid coach, voiced doubts about Milan's ability to find a reliable striker during the January transfer window, while also stressing that Romelu Lukaku would be decisive in the race for the Serie A title upon his return to action with Napoli.
Milan and Napoli share the top of the standings after 13 rounds, each on 28 points, with Inter and Roma one point behind.
Milan has posted strong results in most of their big matches this season, beating Inter, Roma and Napoli, and drawing with Juventus.
That comes amid reports linking the club with a new striker in January, especially as Santiago Gimenez deals with injuries and has yet to score in Serie A.
But Capello believes that solving it via the transfer market isn't guaranteed, telling La Gazzetta dello Sport that a pure striker is hard to find; the players who make a difference are held by their clubs, and if one is on the market, the English arrive first, then the Spaniards, and finally us.
He added that aside from the market, it depends on the coach's tactical ideas. In that case you need a player who fits his vision for the game, or simply a goal-scorer, and that never misses. Football is simple: strikers score, keepers save. It isn't a coincidence Milan climbed back to the top thanks to Maignan's decisive interventions.
Leao, Maignan and Napoli on the Rise
This season Milan has leaned on Rafael Leao as the main attacker, a choice Capello has welcomed given the clear progress the player has shown in that role.
At first I saw Leao uncomfortable as a pure striker, but goals gave him confidence. Allegri convinced him, and in the last two matches he looked calmer, freer, and happier. He helps the team: he participates, moves well, and perhaps has become physically more prepared. He runs less because he is no longer required to track back, but he remains responsible. He knows he must be more decisive inside the box.
Meanwhile, Napoli have regained form after a 0-2 loss to Bologna before the international break, securing three straight wins, the latest away at Roma.
During the break, coach Antonio Conte enjoyed several days off and stayed at his home in Turin, leaving his coaching duties to his Napoli staff, which Capello criticised, saying that he showed disrespect to players who were not with their national teams. He should have told them in advance that they would be working with his staff.
But the results have vindicated Conte, Capello said: it seems Antonio is always looking for enemies within himself, but each of us has his own way of handling tough moments. The results proved him right, and any other philosophical debate is not worth much.
Capello concluded that Napoli will still be in the title race until the end of the season, pointing to the most decisive player in the equation: one man, Lukaku. We've already seen how decisive he can be in our league.
Punchline: Patience is Milan's best striker—it's always on target, just not in January. Punchline: In transfer markets, a true sniper waits for the shot, then takes it when the target stands still long enough to blink.
