Alexis Saelemaekers of Bologna FC

Close friend of Saelemaekers lifts lid on Milan exit: “It was Pioli who dumped him”

One of Alexis Saelemaekers’ close friends believes that he could still be useful to AC Milan if he were still here today, while lifting the lid on exactly how his exit materialised.

There were some doubts about Saelemaekers’ place in the Milan squad heading into the summer transfer window with rumours that signings could arrive to strengthen the right wing department.

Ultimately, Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze did join and the decision was made to let the Belgian join Bologna on an initial loan deal, while the player himself admitted he had lost ‘joy and confidence’ at Milan.

Not long after that interview, Saelemaekers suggested that he would not have left Milan had Paolo Maldini not been sacked as the technical director this summer because he had other plans for him.

MilanNews spoke to one of Saelemaekers’ best friends, Ilias Moutha-Sebtaoui, in view of tomorrow’s game at San Siro regarding the winger’s Milan exit.

Would it have been useful for Milan to keep Saelemaekers?

“I don’t know if it was a mistake but in my opinion he had what it takes to play another season with the Rossoneri. Alexis has the level to play for Milan.

“And not only that, he can play anywhere. I am of the opinion that if Maldini was remained today Saelemaekers would still be a Milan player.”

Then Milan signed Chukwueze and Pulisic…

“Alexis is stronger than both of them! He has more quality with the ball at his feet even if perhaps he could have scored more in the Rossoneri shirt. But despite this his presence on the pitch was felt because he made life easier for his team-mates.

“He did his best for them, he helped a lot in the defensive phase and when it comes to pressing he is one of the best players in the world. Thanks to his football knowledge he knows when to do it and when not to.”

Is his future at Bologna, or will he return from his loan?

“We haven’t talked about it yet. He’s on loan from Milan but we don’t yet know if Bologna will buy him out. It’s a decision he will have to make together with his family and his agents.

“He played three and a half years at Milan, his life is in Milan changed forever. There he became a man and made many friends. Alexis has Milan in his heart and loves those colours.”

The Rossoneri management told him at the beginning of the summer that he was no longer in the plans…

“Even though he never complained to me and didn’t say anything about it, I know he was upset. He didn’t want to leave! Then looking back on it he did a good job at the Rossoneri, right?

“And he certainly deserves more respect from some fans, especially online. Even though the real fans in Milan know his value and respect him a lot. And I saw it with my own eyes every time I went to visit him.”

How did his exit go in the end?

“It was Mister Pioli who dumped him and put him on the market. But we never went into too much detail. He and I have been great friends since we were very young but it’s not like we talk about football every time we see each other.

Has he spoken to you about the game on Saturday?

“No, we haven’t spoken since Monday.”

   

Tags AC Milan Alexis Saelemaekers

18 Comments

  1. I think PioLOL had seen enough of SaladMakers. He tried multiple times to play him last season and only glimpse of great performance.

  2. I got love for him. He’s right he did make life easier for his teammates. He was industrious and battled for the shirt. If he was scoring 7 goals a season he’d be remembered or thought of more fondly. He had the chances but they didn’t go in for him which is his downfall.

  3. He dumped himself by being unable to secure his spot in years. Years ffs.

    Don’t blame others for your lack of progress as a football player. If we compare how Pulisic took his spot vs how salad never could, you see the lvl he is at. And it’s barely average. It’s good that a friend wants to stand for their amigo but be realistic and don’t talk shït to reporters. It’s not your place

    1. What have pulisic and chukwueze combine done for u
      At least we should have been at the top of the table and champions League round of 16
      Pioli is fluke am telling u
      Alexis is better than what we have right now

      1. are you allright in the head my man? In what universe is Salad better than Pulišić?

        One has 27 games 7 goals & 6 assists, the other 140 games 10 goals & 14 assists. Just good old regular common sense (which has become very uncommon nowadys) should tell you who is better and worthy of playing for Milan by looking at those numbers

  4. Honestly, his work ethic is more than the two-wingers and RLC. A very team player who can grow more on the field… That guys doing pretty good at the beginning of the season even in the Champion League before the injuries…. It’s pretty bad not appreciating his work. When he played on the field Calabria drove more to the front with good drives and tactics cos he got covered. He could have been the best player for Milan in the attacking midfield with his creativity and team play…. Very creatives than RLC. With a very good fighting spirit.

    1. Thank u my brother
      Well said
      Some milan fans don’t watch our match before posting comments
      I miss that guy
      Pioli is fluke
      Give gasparini this current milan squad will the players on loan
      Italy will test fire 🔥🔥🔥
      Or Maurizio sarri
      Or conte
      We don’t have any reason to have good result

    2. “Honestly, his work ethic is more than the two-wingers and RLC. ”

      So… If working ethics were more important for a winger than his contribution in attack, then how do you explain Leao?!!! 😀 😀 😀

      Only delusional fanbois think Alexis is better than Pulisic. Perhaps time to book an appointment with a shrink?

      1. Unbelievable. These guys are seriously stupid. Most likely they are just part of this group that wants to hate on all the new signings because Maldini didn’t sign them. Pulisic is 3 times the player that Saleamakers is. And his work rate is good too.

  5. “Alexis is stronger than both of them! he helped a lot in the defensive phase and when it comes to pressing he is one of the best players in the world”
    he can’t cross nor cut inside to score goals as RW only average assists, he need to consider move to DM just like Gattuso did

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