GdS: Giampaolo makes key request of Milan midfielder Bennacer

By Oliver Fisher -

AC Milan head coach Marco Giampaolo has reportedly made a special request of midfielder Ismael Bennacer.

The Algeria international arrived this summer from Empoli in a deal believed to be worth €16million plus €2m in potential bonuses.

Bennacer played a huge role for his country at the African Cup of Nations over the summer, helping them win the competition thanks to a 1-0 victory against Senegal in the final.

He went on to be named as the Player of the Tournament and was hugely impressive in his first start for Milan on Saturday, meaning that €16m fee already seems a bargain capture given the inflated nature of today’s market.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via MilanNews.it), the ‘technical and elegant, dynamic and modern’ Bennacer is a player that Giampaolo will look to build around for the future.

He will ‘take care of leading Milan towards a fun and harmonious game’, the paper claims.

In addition, La Gazzetta adds that Giampaolo and the staff have given the 21-year-old an additional request: to play with intention and to avoid taking too many touches on the ball.

Playing at the base of the midfield, Bennacer is very much the pivot when it comes to transforming to attack from defence, and he has the skill set to perform that role very well – at least based on the early signs.


LISTEN TO OUR LATEST PODCAST: Episode 64 – One window closes, another opens

Tags AC Milan Ismaël Bennacer Marco Giampaolo
Serie A Standings

Live football scores . Current table, fixtures & results.