Alexis Saelemaekers is once again back at AC Milan after a loan spell and, unlike last year, this time he will remain at the club.
La Gazzetta dello Sport write how Saelemaekers spent last season on loan at Roma and – despite the wishes of the Giallorossi – Milan have plans for him. Allegri even told some Roma fans he met in Sardinia that the Belgian: “Stay with me at Milan.”
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With that important aspect clarified, we still need to figure out some things. Saelemaekers has returned to play, but in what role? Will he be a starter, or a luxury reserve again?
Allegri’s idea
The first answer is in Allegri’s head but a lot will depend on the market. Let’s put it this way: at the start of the preseason training camp, it is likely that Saelemaekers will work as a full-back; in the long run, he could be Christian Pulisic’s deputy.
Milan currently only have Alex Jimenez as a right-back, a player who runs and dribbles, not exactly a diligent marker. Will a starter arrive, perhaps Guela Doué? That’s the idea, but in the meantime we will see.
Saelemaekers, however, has always been a winger at Milan. He did play as a full-back for Anderlecht and Paulo Fonseca deployed him as a left-back at one point, leaving Theo Hernandez on the bench, but he is better further upfield.
The competition
A comparison helps to understand. Saelemaekers scored seven goals and provided three assists in the last league season with Roma. If you add his constant work rate, you understand why Roma fans were firmly rooting for his permanent signing.
Milan spoke with Ghisolfi in January but an agreement was never reached. Full-back or winger, Saelemaekers will have to attack and defend, create numerical superiority in transition, be found in the area and retreat too. In essence, the usual double job that all coaches ask of him.
Alexis in the last 12 months has had data in line with Theo Hernandez for dribbling (Alexis is better, 0.96 complete per game), balls recovered (Theo is better) and duels won. Jimenez, who like him has been in and out often, dribbles more and is behind in other key figures.
Saelemaekers adapts and will adapt. He speaks Flemish, English, French, Italian, and has had friends in the three Italian dressing rooms he frequented.
“I am a Milan player and I have always liked playing for the Rossoneri,” he said. “The important thing is to find a project where I can grow and where I can play. We will see soon.” Jimenez, Pulisic and all the others consider the challenge open.
Good move if he stays.
Makes a lot more sense to keep him for depth than go and pay 15mil for another unproven sub. Our forward options are limited already as is, especially now that the clowns didn’t renew Jovic and we only have 1 striker in the club and are gonna have to pay premium cuz every other team knows that we’re desperate to get 1
So Theo is the best defensively. 🤣
🤣🤣
where’s lord royal stat?
Hardest worker on the team. Tireless and selfless. You need guys like that.
And has become much more productive offensively and capable of being a scoring threat than he ever was the last time he was a Milan player.
Given that Puli can move to LW when Leao needs a breather, it’s not bad to have Saele to cover the RW.
Saleamakers is a decent player to come off the bench, but he is not starting level quality as we already know.