GdS: Kessie given the armband in Florence – what was behind Pioli’s decision and latest on renewal

By Oliver Fisher -

There were some eyebrows raised when Franck Kessie was named as the captain for AC Milan in their game against Fiorentina on Saturday night.

La Gazzetta dello Sport report that the version of Kessie that Milan have seen this year is not that of last season. This time the chair is a little hotter, especially in view of the fact his contract expiring in June and a renewal currently seems far away. Calabria and Romagnoli were out against La Viola though, so Kessie took the armband.

Making Kessie the captain is a symbol but it does not change much in terms of the contract situation because Milan do not want to exceed the €4m salary ceiling they have set – with Ibra the only exception – while the Ivorian’s entourage are asking for abou €6-7m net per year.

Owners Elliott Management have a policy that is clear: Milan come first and that is why at the moment Kessie’s fate seems destined to follow that of Donnarumma and Calhanoglu. Until Saturday he had never worn the captain’s armband from the first minute.

Is it a message from Pioli to the club? Likely. Is it an inevitable gesture due to Pioli’s time at the club? Almost definitely, because he is three games from 200 appearances with the Rossoneri.


READ MORE: Milan’s complicated path to Champions League last 16 – the two ways they can qualify

Tags AC Milan Franck Kessie

4 Comments

  1. The armband doesn’t have anything to do with contract and more of a hierarchy that Kessie is the longest Milan player in the field. The same as Calabria who this season he became vice-captain.

  2. Lol I’d rather it go to Ibra than Kessie. Pioli is such a beta coach. He is so soft he is trying to keep Kessie by giving him the armband? Lol, will never work. Actually it will just reflect poorly on Pioli as he has just made a leaving player captain. Brilliant symbol Pioli!!

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