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.”
