Carlo Pellegatti has insisted AC Milan must be patient with Francesco Camarda, despite the mounting interest and Ruben Amorim’s words.
Camarda will always be a player that is spoken about a lot, given his reputation as one of the best young talents in Italy. On his YouTube channel, Carlo Pellegatti added to the discourse surrounding the teenage striker, who has played only a few minutes this season.
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“There’s the issue of Francesco Camarda, who has had very little playing time until now. Last Sunday, some might say he could have played more, but coach Amorim probably preferred to keep Gonçalo Ramos on the pitch, perhaps because he’d score a late goal,” he said (via MilanNews).
“Perhaps this is why we haven’t seen Camarda before, but the question is still pretty much the same. Was it a mistake to not send Camarda out on loan? Amorim and Cardinale were immediately decisive and confident.
“Camarda is our second striker behind Gonçalo Ramos. We’re waiting. It must be said, however, that we also need to have a bit of patience.”
How much patience is there?
Milan extended Camarda’s deal until 2031 in the summer, which shows they believe in him long-term. However, a recent report claimed Chelsea’s interest has resurfaced, while Spurs, Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion are watching things closely.
As a reminder, Ruben Amorim gave a passionate response in a press conference before the Torino game regarding the role that he foresees for Camarda, making it very clear that his chances will come.
“We think Camarda needs space and time, but we could also play with a false nine. I believe a lot in Camarda and I think we need to have him and not other options,” he said.
“By helping Francesco, I’m also helping myself. Ramos is at a very high level, but Camarda needs to feel like he’s not the third choice, but the second, so he can be ready when called upon.
“That way, he’ll feel important. He’s adapting to our game. He’ll have space, and there will be a difference compared to Ramos, but I believe in him a lot, but we’re on a new project. He has to fight for a place regardless of his age, and he’s a Milan player, and we believe in him a lot.”
Nothing beats game time for player development at his age.
He’s stagnating each day he stays in Milan
Chelsea and Tottenham are well known black holes for young players trying to get game time and develop. He would definitely not be a starter for them and both teams would put him into their loan armies where he would be cycled through Europe and/or the lower English leagues.
They are just trying to get a young player with a high future upside for a cheap price.
Only a very few players make it through those loan army systems and come out as finished products, because the loan experience is so haphazard and dependent on how good the coaches are at the loan teams – generally not great because these are lower level teams with lower level coaches.
Athekame’s loan with Lyon, with Fonseca as the coach, seems to be working out great. And he is still a Milan player.
If only Amorim would only play him at earlier moments in games where Milan have gone up 2-0 or 3-0, that would be the best way for him to develop – to train with the senior Milan team and then play in Serie A matches during garbage time to get the full experience of working hard against Serie A level defenders.
Ramos can’t possibly play 90 minutes every 3 days, and Camarda is clearly his #1 backup at this point, so Camarda has to start getting more minutes soon.
I think he’s leaving Ramos on for longer to try to let him get a goal. Which is a pity, because he doesn’t need goals to be a great contributor, but it seems to be the only thing he’s judged on in the press.