After so many rumours regarding an imminent exit, it seems Yacine Adli could now remain at AC Milan having convinced Stefano Pioli.
Last season, Adli was the reserve of the reserves as he played just 138 minutes spread over six games, of which only one was a start. That meant a summer exit seemed nailed on, but as the days pass by that possibility continues to diminish.
However, we wrote eight days ago about how Pioli seems to have altered his stance on Adli a bit and is now more open-minded about the contribution that he can make to this team and the three-man midfield.
La Gazzetta dello Sport write how Pioli chose to field other players last season due to doubts about the intensity with which Adli plays, but he has been able to watch him at Milanello during preseason and have ‘observed comforting improvements’.
That means there are ongoing reflections. Pioli always used him in the centre of the midfield in the pre-season as a sort of deputy to Rade Krunic but a different interpreter of the role. He played five friendlies (two as a starter, against Trento and Novara), for a total of 234 minutes.
Pioli, who is not used to speaking casually in such situations, said in recent days: “Deputy Krunic? Adli is giving me good answers. Reijnders can do it due to his characteristics, but he should stay blocked and do less I found Yacine motivated but he always has been, despite the fact that I’ve chosen him very little in the past. He can also play midfielder.”
The difference in treatment with those who are not part of the project is evident. Mattia Caldara, Divock Origi and Alexis Saelemaekers were not even called up against Bologna yet Adli was on the bench.
The fact that no concrete offers have really come in for the former Bordeaux man helps his possible permanence, but the rest is up to him. As a percentage, if up until a few weeks ago Adli’s departure was around 90%, now we’ve dropped to 50%.
Would’ve liked to see him come on against bologna, hopefully this weekend
Hopefully he gets some game time against Torino
I do hope he’s being real about this and does give him an opportunity. It won’t be fair for the player if he doesn’t get a chance, when he could have very well left for more playing time elsewhere.
Oh and I’m fine with Pioli, but I’d like to see substitutions happen a little earlier in games.
This guy needs a fair chance from the get-go. Give him a free hand in centre and see what happens…..⚡
Hope he gets a chance this season – think he could be great in that role if given the time and opportunity