Alexis Saelemaekers put in one of his best performances since he arrived at Bologna during the last round of action as he got a goal and an assist against Salernitana, but his future remains a knot to untie.
As Calciomercato.com recall, Saelemaekers demonstrated all of his capabilities in the 3-0 win. His creative play set up the third goal, after he had scored from long distance with a fantastic shot.
With two goals and three assists in 25 appearances for Bologna after some initial injury difficulties, the feeling is that the Belgian is settling into Thiago Motta’s team, one that is getting closer and closer to the Champions League.
Milan decided to let Saelemaekers leave in the summer as they decided to invest in Christian Pulisic and Samu Chukwueze. Motta was able to mould him, providing him with the extra minutes and confidence that he needed.
Furthermore, his upturn also derives from the move to the left wing, which allows him to cut back onto his favoured right foot to pass and shoot. This increased confidence is demonstrated by the number of touches that he makes in every match: a significant growth, from 30.6 last year to 47.7.
Despite this, there is still some doubt regarding where he will play next season. Bologna’s burning desire is to try to sign Saelemaekers from Milan at lower prices than the €10m option to buy agreed as part of his loan move.
They deem the figure to be too high, while the ex-Anderlecht player’s desire is to continue his career in Bologna. The first official contacts are expected in the coming weeks to try to renegotiate the figures.
Qualification for the Champions League can help the three parties (Saelemaekers, Milan and Bologna) to find a definitive agreement, because it would guarantee extra revenues to then invest on building a squad ready for the top European competition.
Everybody should understand now that both CDK and Saelemakers were victims of not being able to thrive with Leao occupying that left wing spot and then not being able to adjust to other positions.
Okafor, on the other hand has done well, as a sub for Leao and Giroud.
CDK is left-footed. Pioli didn’t bother to experiment him at RW though.
coach tested leao as CF to put others play LW. he doesnt strive there. his main strength is his acceleration. Italian teams are very physical, so he doesnt do well when he is guarded by 2 people.
once we have a good CF, who can score regularly every game, coach can experiment more. right now, almost every game its a close call, so much that we cant afford to play our youngsters on the bench.
1 point to be noted, while we are searching for goal scoring CF, Milan been doing well with big, ball playing center forward that drop down abit, like Ibra and Girourd. Supporting strikers. Might be due to lack of creative key pass in the center of the field.
This is the same reason why RLC is triving at AMC position. Girourd move down abit and make RLC space to move forward for goals. Its different from what Pioli have in mind, but it is working.
i look forward what kind of CF Milan gonna bring in. I hope we just splash only one CF next season, as our bench is already strong