AC Milan is waiting to understand if they will have Ismael Bennacer available for the month of January, given that the African Cup of Nations will take place in the Ivory Coast.
The Algerian midfielder – who only became available again at the beginning of December after a long-term knee injury – could be among Algeria’s squad for AFCON, while Samuel Chukwueze is also expected to be there with Nigeria.
Meanwhile, MilanNews are reporting that Bennacer has been included in the list of 55 players pre-summoned by Algeria’s head coach Belmadi. In approximately two weeks, therefore by December 31st, and the list will be refined to 27 players.
Only then will we begin to understand whether the former Empoli man will actually be called to play in the tournament but the feeling coming from Algeria is that, even though he has only recently recovered, Bennacer will be there.
Meanwhile, Algeria have also announced the dates of their training camps. It will begin on January 1st in Togo and will last until the 10th. This means that if Bennacer is called up, he will probably be able to stay until the match against Sassuolo on December 30th. Algeria will play two friendlies: January 5th against Togo and the 9th against Burundi.
How about use him for full 90 minutes for rest of the game and pray he gets a minor injury so he won’t go for AFCON?
🤭😂😂😂
so, Milan carefully bring him back to full fitness by small steps, so that the national team can waste him on friendlies or sure wins (like e.g. Switzerland was doing with Okafor, and France are doing everytime with Theo and Giroud). and then we write reports how its all Piolis fault. better plan with an additional central midfielder already, cause if he’s not injured after AFCON he’ll be at least ready for a break.
Man, I’d rather he didn’t go. He just came back from injury. Then will go off to AFCON and God forbid get injured again…
Agreed. Normally I support playing for your National team. But considering we rehabilitated him from major injury and he just came back and we desperately need him – he’s going to leave for a month? Not good. I think he should stay but I’m sure he wont