Paulo Fonseca waxed lyrical about Alexis Saelemaekers after AC Milan’s friendly win over Manchester City, while also seemingly confirming that Lorenzo Colombo is set to depart.
As we wrote about in a recent feature, the USA tour will be very useful for Fonseca to assess the squad and bring some clarity regarding some players that are perhaps more on the fringes, while waiting for the internationals and potential new signings.
That also applies to Saelemaekers, who returned from his season-long loan at Bologna after they did not use their option to buy him permanently, with the assumption being that he would be sold to another club.
The Belgian has had quite a lot of attention since being back at Milanello and he was named the MOTM in our player ratings from the Rapid Wien game, while he was also bright against Manchester City too.
Fonseca spoke at his post-match press conference following the five-goal thriller at Yankee Stadium and his comments were relayed by Milan Reports, via MilanNews.
What is the situation with Florenzi’s injury?
“I’m not sure about Florenzi’s injury. I spoke to the doctor and to him, but we have to wait to see the MRI.”
A lot of young players have been given opportunities…
“I think many of the young players have the opportunity to work with us because they have quality, and they are getting their opportunities. All the young players who played today have played very well and they have quality, personality, courage to play our game.
“But, I have to confess, I didn’t decide yet which players will play with us. Maybe they have all qualitiy, but some of them, it’ll be difficult for them… Honestly, I didn’t decide about everyone.”
What is the latest with Lorenzo Colombo?
“When you have young players, we have to understand the space they can have in the team. In some positions it can be difficult for them, in others not. Colombo played a good game today, but he needs to play but with Morata and Luka it will be difficult to play. For the others, however, we will see.”
What did you think of the atmosphere?
“It was amazing to play in this atmosphere. It’s amazing, the feelings during the game, the supporters, it was really nice. The game? We know against teams like City who like to have the ball, it’s important to attract them in, to find some space and some moments of acceleration. I think the team did well.”
Alexis Saelemaekers showed good signs again…
“Alexis? He is a player I love a lot. I like the quality. I think he is a kind of player every coach loves to have, because he can play in different positions. He is more confident, I think he is a player I would love to keep in the team.”
I hope we keep him. I love him alot too. I love his loyalty❤️🖤
Loyalty? He was the one wanting to leave last summer – and probably wants to leave this summer too.
Saelemaekers’ friend said during last season that Pioli was the reason why Alexis left Milan.
If a coach doesn’t want you are you suppose to stay and not play because of loyalty.
Adli should learn to take a hint and leave once and for all.
He didn’t want to leave. Check your source first. It was Pioli who dumped him out after getting Chuk Norris and Puli.
He wasn’t happy in Milan and wanted to go elsewhere. Check your source first before telling other people to check their source. 😉
One of the main things I see and admire in Fonseca, is his love for good and technical players, he knows how to enhance them, Pioli is a moron, he and his backrooms staff lack vision and bravery, Fonseca is not afraid to give players a chance.
Alexis Saelemaekers has always been a very very good player, but Pioli destroyed his confidence, imagine starting Messias over him, even when we were playing 3421, he preferred using Messias who is a left footed player on the right,we need to embrace Fonseca and support the team, Pioli is a moron…
IN case you don’t remember, they were both pretty awful and limited in what they could do with repeated chances. Same with CDK.
CDK then went to an attacking minded manager and hit double digits goal contributions and won Europa league. Don’t act like it was all on him and nothing on the stubborn 1 sided tactics
Good so no more Emerson Loyal?
No, Saelemakers is more seen as a back-up to Leao rather than a fullback.
I would like to keep him at least one season and see what Fonseca can make of him. He showed some positive signs with Bologna the second half of last season. I would just like to see a version of him that isn’t Pioli’s more regularly before making a final decision, even if just out of curiosity. Brahim or CDK in just one season with a much better coach showed a better version than Pioli’s version of those players, same thing with Hakan. I never would have sold Simic, specially giving him away for peanuts like that. I’m sure Chukweze will start looking way better than with Pioli very soon too. Chukweze and Saelemaekers could be two major “signings” compared to last season.
I agree with you. Sometimes some of us gets biased about some players regarding their quality, by only judging it on how they performed under Pioli. Pioli is not a bad coach, but it is not rare also he made a confusing tactic which ends up making players looks terrible, meanwhile when these players then played under other coaches, their potential become unlocked.
I would love to see Saele to get one more chance under Fonseca. We cant say he is not good for Milan, but instead, he might be just not suitable with Pioli’s tactic who left Milan now. If he is not a good player, he wouldnt had gotten some interests from other clubs / good coaches such as Motta or Conte (according to news).
He looked good against City’s youth. There’s no room for him at Milan. I’d sell him…
The problem is, after the season with bologna, does he want to stay to be a bench player again?
No way he will be picked up ahead of leao, puli, chuk or even okafor.
Sure he was great with bologna, but not so much with milan, although part of that was on pioli.
The better he plays in this pre season the higher his value will be when milan sell him.
He should consider playing as RB but not sure Fonseca will want a two attacking fullback. since he plan on using pulisic as 10 so Sale can be Chuku back up