Jan-Carlo Simic has often had to be patient in his young career but the 2023-24 season has seen him take a number of big steps forward.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport write, it is a journey that started in the United States last summer and which could end in Germany, passing through a senior debut and his first ever goal in Serie A.
The starting point was the summer of 2023: a year ago, when Simic took off for the United States with his Primavera team-mates Lapo Nava, Kevin Zeroli and Davide Bartesaghi. He started a friendly in Los Angeles against Real Madrid due to Matteo Gabbia being close to joining Villarreal.
Thanks to a solid and careful performance and a couple of decisive interventions against big names, Stefano Pioli started to see what the Serbian could do. He began his season with the Primavera but was called up to the senior sideat the end of 2023, due to the many injuries to the defence.
Simic made his debut in Serie A on December 18th against Monza. He helped keep a clean sheet but also scored the opening goal in his first game at San Siro. In total he made six appearances with the senior side, alongside the 28 with the Primavera.
With Abate Simic continued his growth, as leader of a team that reached a historic Youth League final, then lost against Olympiacos, and with the play-offs still to come after a dramatic qualification in the last game.
The news in the last few hours is that Simic has been included by coach Dragan Stojkovic in Serbia’s pre-summit list for the European Championships in Germany. A reward for the journey and the season he has had, with the possibility of playing the first major tournament of his career.
Here another chapter opens and a possible international showcase could complicate the discussions for a renewal. Simic is contracted to Milan until 2025, but there is strong interest in him from Feyenoord, ready to make his a permanent first team player.
The Rossoneri must evaluate what to do and what promises they can give the teenager, aware that they cannot be the ones to hold him back as he continues to take steps forward.
I can bot stress it enough. Simic is our future. The CD for years to come. Do not even freacking think of selling him!