Journalist Giancarlo Padovan has claimed that AC Milan are facing a real dilemma when it comes to the future of Brahim Diaz and the attacking midfielder role.
Brahim Diaz was arguably the star of the show during the 4-0 win against Napoli on Sunday as he set up Rafael Leao for the opening goal after a dribble to get past three players and then he scored a goal of his own to double the advantage before the break.
He is currently in his third season on loan at Milan having done an initial season-long spell in 2020-21 that was renewed via the formula of a two-year deal with a potential option for it to become permanent, but also rumours of a buy-back in Real Madrid’s favour.
Padovan spoke during a column for Calciomercato.com about the future of Brahim Diaz and the paradox that Milan have on their hands given the upcoming negotiation with Real Madrid.
“It was not necessary to wait for the victory in Naples to establish that Brahim Diaz is an important player for Pioli’s Milan. All the more reason after the bankruptcy of De Ketelaere that he should have been the owner in the role,” he began.
“The problem is that at the end of the season Milan will have to discuss Diaz’s redemption with Real Madrid. Apparently, there is a verbal agreement whereby Milan becomes the owner of the player’s card by paying 20 million euros.
“Having said that they are not few and that Real, given Diaz’s season, could ask for more, we are facing the most colossal of paradoxes. In other words, Diaz will cost around twenty million plus the 35 paid for De Ketelaere, intended to act as his back-up or, at most, as a supporting actor.
“Indeed, it is certain that the Belgian will not be sold for at least two good reasons. The first: in order not to generate a heavy capital loss. The second: why no one, from Maldini to Massara, who further up or who further down, would be willing to admit they made the wrong purchase. So they will persist in the hope that his talent blossoms.
“In the meantime everything will be on Diaz’s shoulders: the ownership and also the cost of De Ketelaere. In practice it is as if the Spaniard had been paid over fifty million. The hope is that more than a burden, intended to crush him, could be the scoundrel to stimulate his pride and growth.”
De Ket has struggled, no doubt, but it isn’t just about him. I believe most of his struggles are due to the team’s great weakness: our passing in the build-up phase. Often it seems the tactic is pass it to Leap or Theo and hope for the best. And how many games haven’t we seen Milan attempt s lot of long balls, which simply should not happen for a top team in today’s football.
How many of our current central midfielders would anyone say have had a good season? Tonali has struggled in many games, even Bennacer has looked average at times.
When the team in general doesn’t play well in procession, nobody looks good, least of all a young guy like De Ket.
CDK never looks good. He should be in the Primavera.
El Hilali from Primavera is already better than CDK.
De Ketelaere should play on the right wing – a position that he played in when he was at Brugge