When AC Milan were struggling with defensive issues, the assumption was that an investment would be made in the January mercato. However, no such investment arrived, instead, Matteo Gabbia returned, and his impact was felt instantly.
At the height of the defensive crisis, the mercato was just about to open, and for weeks, speculation flooded the news about which defender would be elected to arrive in the winter mercato. However, Milan opted to move forward without investing, and this is now seen as a fantastic decision.
The investment was postponed until this summer, and we have seen the Rossoneri seeking reinforcements already, but the star of the winter mercato – Matteo Gabbia – must not be forgotten.
He did not arrive under the spotlight, but his performances quickly earned a light for him, and he was regularly the defender that the Diavolo needed him to be. A solid option, who would not steal the headlines, but prevent the opposition from writing their own.
However, his position is now under siege with Milan investing in their defence, there is now a question about who starts. Seemingly, it will be Strahinja Pavlovic and Fikayo Tomori, but Gabbia’s agent, Tullio Tinti, has offered a different solution when speaking to Sky Sports (via Milan News).
“In the starting line-up, I would put Gabbia because he has been the best defender in the last six months. He’s good. Gabbia definitely starts and then we put the others. So let’s put Gabbia-Pavlovic.”