While Francesco Camarda continues to grab the majority of headlines related to the Primavera, Diego Sia continues to forge his own path.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport recall, Sia has just signed a contract renewal. He is the top scorer in Ignazio Abate’s team is one of the brightest talents of the youth team, while he is also shining for his country too.
The winger has the number 11 on his shoulders, he was born on 10 March 2006 in Parabiago, about 30km from Milan, and has already been one of the most interesting prospects in the academy for a few years.
He joined the Primavera team last season, as an underage player, and this year he has amassed 13 goals (like Camarda) and eight assists in 37 appearances, which is why his recent renewal until 2028 was good news.
Abate’s pupil
Sia is very loyal to Abate after they spent time in the U16s together and then made the leap to the Primavera, a team in which he is now a pillar. It was a successful gamble last season to promote him, with his eight goals in 26 games.
Sia spoke to Milan TV in January about making the jump: “Last year I entered the team and thanks to my team-mates I immediately adapted. I have a great relationship with the coach, every single day pushes me to improve myself, to put more grit into things.”
😍 What a run from Sia and a tidy finish too!
— SempreMilan (@SempreMilanCom) March 4, 2024
Grit is one of the characteristics that the winger often brings to the pitch, battling for every ball against the defenders. Often used on the left side of the attack, Sia loves one-on-ones and can also move to the right without problems.
His goals are often beautiful and weigh a lot, like in the UEFA Youth League win over Real Madrid on penalties in which he scored the equaliser or his solo run against Fiorentina.
International exploits
Sia is now part of Bernardo Corradi’s Under 19 national team too. In the last round of call-ups, he was the protagonist together with team-mate Kevin Zeroli in the 5-0 defeat of Georgia, scoring a few seconds after entering the pitch and providing an assist.
Stefano Pioli has given several young players their debut this season due to various different circumstances and Sia, in the right circumstances, could be one of the next.
Should the project of an U23 team come to fruition – a work in progress at the moment – Sia could well be the star of that too.
Pioli needs to start giving these kids more than a few minutes.
yeah and bench that loser Leao and Pulisic, they are so bad
I mean he is only 17, we should give him some more time away from the spotlight imo.
A few appearances next season and a few starts the season after would do him good
Sia, Zeroli and Simic should go in the U23. They need to play at least 10 games there and dominate their opponent before we can start thinking of getting them in the first team.
The jump from Primavera to first team is huge, especially if the first team is playing to win every game and is not in the relegation zone.
Also U23 should have very similar tactics to first team, that’s why having Bonera there might be a bit better than Abate.
@Ophir, Sia became 18 years old in March, that’s how they were able to get the contract up to 2028.