AC Milan have been the land of promising young players with great potential in the past few years, some of them are already impressing with the first team.
The team is currently being carried by a squad mostly made of Primavera players. Now that producing young superstars has become the identity of this new Milan, it is logical to imagine that more young players will be given their chance in the first team.
Here are a few names that we should keep an eye on.
Patrick Cutrone
Patrick Cutrone is the current Vice captain of Milan Primavera. Born on January 3rd 1998, the center forward already scored six goals in nine games so far this season and delivered one assist in all competition.
He also managed to score four goals in 10 games with the U19 AC Milan team (with two assists), two goals in three appearances with the U18s, 11 goals in 18 appearances with the Under 17s, five goals in nine appearances with the U16s, and also seven goals in 10 games with the U15s.
If there is something Patrick Cutrone knows how to do, it is scoring goals. The young player can use both feet, dribbles well, is good with the ball and he is dangerous and clinical in the final third.
Not so long ago he helped the Italian national team (U19) in the European championship against Hungary, scoring the only goal of the game, which proves even more that he is indeed a star in the making.
Niccolo Zanellato
Born on June 24th 1998, Niccolo Zanellato has everything to become a part of the first team.
With impressive performances during the preseason, the central midfielder have shown great qualities, ideas and a lot of energy by sometimes making bold decisions on the field which proves that he is also very mature for his age.
For the primavera, Zanellato has made eight appearances so far this season, scoring twice and bagging an assist. The youngster only joined the club in July 2015, but could be part of a big future project with AC Milan.
Sebastian Gamarra
Former Captain of the Primavera, Sebastian Gamarra was born on January 15th 1997.
The Bolivian defensive midfielder has been on loan at AC Feralpisalo (Serie B) since July 7 2016, and with them he has only made two appearances.
The potential is clearly there considering his years with the Primavera (51 appearances, four goals, two assists). Also considering the experience he will get in Serie B, Sebastian Gamarra is definitely not a player to rule out as a future prospect.
Alessandro Plizzari
Born on March 12th 2000, the young goalkeeper could possibly follow the footsteps of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is just one year older than him but already a starter for the first team.
However, Plizzari is not too far away from his teammate as he is the third choice ‘keeper for AC Milan’s squad. He has made 18 appearances with the primavera so far, keeping five clean sheets in the process.
With a convincing debut during the preseason against Sassuolo, Alessandro Plizarri is definitely a player to keep an eye on.
Alessandro Mastalli
Alessandro Mastalli is a very different case compared to the previous names cited.
Born on February 7th 1996, the central midfielder has had the chance to play for the first team multiple times, making his debut against Torino on May 24th 2015 in the Rossoneri‘s 3-0 home win (replacing Poli in the 76th minute).
He was then loaned out to Juve Stabia (of Serie C) in January 2016, where he has made only nine appearances. However with his 62 appearances with the Primavera (12 goals, two assists) there is no deny that the potential is there.
The player is young and still has the time to relaunch his career. Mastalli also played for FC Lugano in Swizerland (at U21 level) back in 2015, amassing two goals in eight appearances. Alessandro Mastalli is young, talented and can break through at any moment if given the right guidance; the future can still be his.
AC Milan’s future looks brighter than ever, with young players making their way through the first team every year.
With Donnarumma last season and Locatelli this year, we can see any of those mentioned above breakthrough in the coming seasons to help bring the Rossoneri back to the top, where they belong.