Sebastiano Desplanches has revealed his desire to return to AC Milan one day and play in the Champions League for the club he grew up supporting.
Desplanches came through the youth academy at Milan and played for the Primavera last season, but he was sold permanently during the most recent summer window.
The decision was made by both parties that it was best for him to get a taste of senior football elsewhere, after becoming the best goalkeeper at the 2023 U20 World Cup.
In an interview with Icon Magazine (via Radio Rossonera), Desplanches spoke about his move to Palermo and working with Mike Maignan, with whom he trained during his time at Milan.
“The greatest of all was Buffon, but my point of reference is Mike Maignan, with whom I often trained during my time at Milan. I’m a very courageous goalkeeper, I assert myself especially when going out and I have excellent ability to read the action,” he said.
“I don’t look too much to the future, much less to the 2026 World Cup: I’m thinking about making my debut in Serie B, consolidating myself and settling into a city that everyone has spoken to me about very well.
“Milan decided to end my experience with the Rossoneri after seven years, and sold me to Vicenza on a permanent basis. What could I do? I rolled up my sleeves. The Rossoneri managers informed my agent that the loan quota was full and they could only sell me permanently.
“I had spent the last two years with the first team including call-ups in the league, as well as two in the Champions League. Pioli was always very kind to me. Milan have a 40% resale clause.
“You never know. However, I have the dream of playing in the Champions League one day. Did I feel abandoned? A goalkeeper needs time to mature: evidently they had priority in other roles. Luckily, however, I found my way.”
Desplanches found himself in a difficult position with Milan having an established number one in Maignan while opting to go for a more experienced deputy in Ciprian Tatarusanu first and then Marco Sportiello.
