AC Milan head coach Paulo Fonseca is expected to put his trust in Fikayo Tomori for tonight’s game against Real Madrid, giving him a chance to impress.
Calciomercato.com write how Fonseca, in his first three months in charge, has chosen to take a hard line stance with those who have not aligned themselves with his ideas. Tomori knows something about this, having remained on the bench for three out of the last four games.
Those are the four games that followed the incident against Fiorentina, when he gave the ball to Tammy Abraham instead of the designated penalty taker Christian Pulisic. It is a new feeling for the centre-back being on the bench so much, at least since joining Milan.
Back on 5 October during a press conference, Fonseca had indicated Gabbia and Tomori as the starting central defenders. Less than a month later, this theory has ‘melted away like snow in the sun’, with Fikayo paying for both the saga in Florence and a noticeable drop in performance levels.
The game at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid will not be easy given the star power they have, and that’s why the head coach will rely on the most experienced and well-established players in the squad, meaning Rafael Leao and, most likely, Tomori.
The Englishman has a clear advantage over Strahinja Pavlovic for what could become a great opportunity to rewrite the present and future. Tomori’s cycle at Milan could end next summer, the report adds.
There is no confirmation regarding reports of interest from Juventus but the former Chelsea man could return to the Premier League where he has several admirers, and if an offer of above €20m came in the club would seriously evaluate it.
Bought for 35M, willing to sell for 20M? That’s a lose and definitely the opposite of moneyball