Sportitalia: Milan turn to Sampdoria star as potential new deputy to Theo Hernandez

By Oliver Fisher -

A new name has emerged in AC Milan’s search to find a reliable deputy to Theo Hernandez in the left-back role, a report claims.

A number of players are expected to leave the club this summer with Ciprian Tătărușanu, Sergiño Dest, Tiémoué Bakayoko, Aster Vranckx, Junior Messias, Divock Origi, Ante Rebić and Zlatan Ibrahimović all linked with an exit.

One of the other names mentioned as being on the way out is Fode Ballo-Toure, who has never really convinced as the back-up to Theo Hernandez, who is admittedly one of the best in the world in his position.

As reported by Sportitalia (via PianetaMilan), Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara are thinking of Tommaso Augello as a potential replacement for the Senegal international.

The 28-year-old grew up a Milan fan and has just been relegated to Serie B with Sampdoria after a miserable season in which they won only three games, but he scored twice and added six assists in 39 games across all competitions.

He was one of the best crossers in the league and he would also fill a home-grown spot which is useful for the squad list composition. Lazio are interested too, but the call of Milan could be truly irresistible.

Tags AC Milan Tommaso Augello

22 Comments

  1. Now they finally talk about homegrown. What is the use of big squad if you cannot register many of them for UCL?

  2. I don’t know how much we are ready to spend, but I think we should try to have an “older/standard” deputy as well as a “youth” prospect for every of our prospect players for each of our positions. This way we are safe from an injury crisis and a potential move.

    This looks like a good option for the former at 4€ valuation on transfermarkt and which could be even cheaper because of Samp’s position.

  3. Problem here is that anything is better then Balo-Toura, but this Augello is not the answer because he in no way fits our system and seriously lacks the pace and technical skills to cover Theo.

    Would rather promote from primavera, like Bozolan, don’t make Kerkez mistake again

  4. I dont know why our managers keep wasting time and money on garbage. Promote your youth players and use the budget to buy 3 world class players .

    1. Yeah i agree..but you have to keep in mind that the coach Pioli who is not fan of youth players.
      His reason is just simple as “no experience or whatsoever”.
      Moreover he only gives chance to the players he likes

      Kerkez was proof how he is not willing to integrate hom at first team and prefers ballo toure as Theo back which is quite disaster.

      1. FFS. Kerkez. Kerkez left because he wanted to be a starter and he would not accept going out on loans anymore. How can you bench Theo? It has nothing to do with Pioli other than he’s choosing the best player for the position and here was this 20 year old that wanted to start, so he left. It’s not rocket science. Neither is it Pioli or the management’s fault. It was either Theo or him. Can’t start both. Period.

        1. Kerkez wanted chance. Not starters. He knew it.
          Milan played a lot of matches not only 20 in a season. Even Theo need some rest. Reliable back up is thefore really necessary.
          But instead of bringing him as Theo back up, Maldini signed unreliable Ballo Toure as theos back up. When Theo got injured Pioli chose to play florenzi or calabria at the left not Ballo Toure.
          If you know that you will only play at primavera for years and the coach is not willing giving you chance to play at senior level, then leaving of course the only way.

      1. Lol. Like I posted as a joke to another article: We should sell the whole squad, buy Mbappe for 250m and surround him with primavera players. We’d surely win the treble in 2023-24! /s

        On a serious note, we already have a few game winners, a squad of players that are better than primavera, and we’re not doing that great. So, not sure how well your strategy would pan out.

    2. “Promote your youth players ”

      If they’re not worth promoting, there is zero reasons to promote. Milan Primavera barely avoided relegation. Does that mean the lads are ready to play in the Serie A? Hardly. If there were “superstars to be”-players in the primavera, don’t you think they’d been promoted already?

      1. People also don’t realize that 18-20 year olds are in a phase in their careers where they need to be starting at whatever level they’re at, whether it’s primavera, Serie C, Serie B or Serie A. Theo is the undisputed starter, and Bozzolan would just end up getting stunted on the bench (I admit I’ve called for him to be promoted as the “cheap” option). This is why Kerkez left. People don’t get this and keep saying Kerkez was a “mistake”. He wanted playing time. You can’t play them both.

        1. “People also don’t realize that 18-20 year olds are in a phase in their careers where they need to be starting at whatever level they’re at”

          Really?? Everyone need to have chance to play at senior level. Maldini made debut at 16, eventually played as starters at 17,. Messi 16, Nesta 17. Every talented youth players deserves chance at senior level otherwise they will not grow.
          It is not rocket science that talented players become best players becuse the coach has faith on them, gave them chance even when they are still young.
          Talented players with mediocre senior coach will only be mediocre player

          1. “Everyone need to have chance to play at senior level.”

            Not everyone. Only a small, small percentage of primavera aged players ever make it to the “big boys’ league”. Need to have chance? Nope. You EARN the chance IF you’re good enough. Over 90% of them aren’t.

          2. Maldini, Messi, Nesta. Those aren’t just football players – they’re extraordinary GOATs. Kind of like exceptions to the exceptions. Less than 0.0001%. You cannot put them in the same category as “everyone” simply because they are one of the best – if not THE best – players ever played in their positions.

            Just because those 3 made it, doesn’t mean everyone makes it.

  5. Better promote from milan primavera. Lots of good player there but they need room & minute of play. They can learn from theo & co. Remember, milan can produce good italian player especially the defence. But now, depend on maldini & co. Need more time and trusted from their talent.

  6. My brother is a die hard Sampdoria fan. And he loves Augello. He mainly praises his crosses but also ability to carry ball up the field.

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