Ardon Jashari has attracted interest from clubs domestically and abroad, but AC Milan’s stance on the midfielder is clear.
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La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) begin a report this morning by stating that Jashari is among the Milan players whom Ruben Amorim will welcome back only later in the summer, given he is entitled to a rest period following his World Cup campaign.
At 23, he is already competing in his second World Cup with Switzerland, and head coach Yakin named him in the starting line-up for the last match, the Round of 16 clash against Colombia. These are strengthening experiences, which is exactly what Jashari needs after a disappointing debut season at Milan.
He can take heart in the knowledge that more opportunities lie ahead: despite interest from both foreign and Italian clubs (most notably Atalanta), Jashari is certain to remain a Rossoneri player, not least because he is tied to Milan by a long-term contract running until the summer of 2030.
Just 11 months ago, he was the club’s second most expensive signing of the summer, costing €34m plus bonuses to sign from Club Brugge. Only the acquisition of Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea required a larger investment.
Jashari going nowhere
However, it is not merely for reasons of economic expediency that Jashari will remain with the squad: he enjoys the coach’s esteem and is part of a technical project that places him at the heart of the new Milan.
There are multiple reasons why the former Belgian league MVP failed to live up to expectations. Like other foreign players experiencing the Italian league for the first time, Jashari struggled to adapt to the new methods. The transition from a more modest club like Club Brugge to Milan can be hard.
To make matters significantly worse, he suffered a fractured fibula last August following an unfortunate collision with Santiago Giménez during training. Furthermore, having been viewed as a playmaker by former coach Massimiliano Allegri, Jashari faced a fight for a spot with Luka Modric.
The future, however, looks different: even if Luka stays (and there is a very strong chance he will) he cannot be expected to play as continuously as he did last season. This will inevitably open up more opportunities for Jashari, who can continue to learn from Modrić during training.
Additionally, the arrival of a new coach creates new possibilities. The dominance Amorim intends to impose on opponents requires more high-quality players on the pitch, and Jashari certainly possesses excellent technical skills.
Amorim himself arrived expressing a desire to make the most of available resources, particularly young, talented players, a category into which Ardon fits perfectly. Then there is his burning desire to prove himself, something neither the coach nor the club can overlook.
Just last summer, Jashari did everything in his power to ensure Club Brugge accepted Milan’s offer over others, even those that might have been more lucrative for the Belgian club. The situation has repeated itself this year.
Ardon has made it clear to his suitors that he is determined to make his mark in Milan. It is a decision shared by the club, which believes in him and has no intention of letting him go. Amidst a midfield undergoing potential revolution, he stands out as one of the few certainties.
Youssouf Fofana and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are for sale, Samuele Ricci is among other potential departures, and Modric is heading toward a less demanding role. So, Jashari and Rabiot remain key fixtures. It is a significant vote of confidence, now it is up to him to make his mark.