Maldini reveals how Milan discovered Saelemaekers: “I didn’t know him before”

By Isak Möller -

Milan have started this season very well, losing just one game in all comps. They are currently first in the league standings with six wins and two draws in eight games, showing just how much they have improved. 

Many players have performed on a high level since January when Zlatan Ibrahimovic joined and Stefano Pioli found the right path for the team. Alexis Saelemaekers is one of them, who also arrived during the January transfer window.

Milan paid €3.5m for a six-month loan and then redeemed him for an additional €3.5m, despite seeing little of him due to the league suspension. It turned out to be a bargain, with the Belgian constantly improving and growing with the Rossoneri.

In an interview with DAZN (read full here), as cited by MilanNews, Paolo Maldini was asked about the signing and also revealed how they discovered the youngster. He has the scouts to thank for this one, in other words.

“Saelemaekers was the result of our scouting, I didn’t know him before. We were looking for a right-back there at that moment, or one who could play there. We saw this guy playing right, left, as a full-back, as a number ten, with such intensity that after you give him the ball he’s there.”

READ MORE – Bonera defends Calhanoglu amid recent transfer speculation: “We trust him a lot”

Tags AC Milan Alexis Saelemaekers Paolo Maldini
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