It has been a strange season for Matteo Gabbia so far, who now finds himself as an immovable starter at AC Milan after being told that he could leave a few months ago.
This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) recalls that Gabbia was destined to play this season elsewhere as of the beginning of July, while on the last day of February he is preparing to start tomorrow’s match against Lazio.
Gabbia has experienced some rather peculiar months in between. When Milan sent him on loan to Villarreal, the Italian had Malick Thiaw, Fikayo Tomori, Pierre Kalulu and Simon Kjaer in front of him, which is why a loan was deemed the best solution.
Now, he is truly irreplaceable and tomorrow he will start alongside Thiaw in the capital, while waiting for Tomori and Kalulu to get back to their best after lengthy periods of absence due to injury.
The key concept is trust: Gabbia now feels it and is responding with quality performances. Pioli has always followed a principle: whoever plays well, if the performance levels remain high, will keep their place.
The Primavera graduate struggled one-on-one situations and since returning from Spain he has produced a number of decisive interventions. If you can make your weakness become a strength, you’ve made a breakthrough. At least for now.
Gabbi is a CB machine.
Gabbia, Thiaw, Tomori, Simic, and Theo if required. Make some money on Kalulu and we still DON’T NEED A NEW CENTRE BACK!!!
Our defensive issues this season start in midfield. Fix that.
What about calabria
I’m not suggesting who should start I’m listing our CB options and highlighting that we would be better spending money elsewhere. Obviously Calabria (who I think has been great this season despite the haters, after a rough 22/23) at RB.
I think Kalulu should be shifted back to his natural position which is RB and I think then Calabria can stay as backup.
Strange journey? Maybe for those who heard about Gabbia only last summer when he was pushed out. I’ve been following him since his Primavera days and this kid always been good.
He was hyped in his first senior season like Simić now. But fans here always get tired or bored of homegrown players and they want a shiny new toy from abroad. Cause media hype is real.
FACTS!!!
Immovable? Wait til the others come back. I do hope it’s him and Tomori that will be the new pairing though