Numerous players have struggled for AC Milan in the recent period, but among them Alexis Saelemaekers’ decline stands out.
As MilanNews write, the finger of accusation is often pointed at the attack, more specifically the goal drought that all the forwards are enduring. Rafael Leao looks a shadow of himself, Christian Pulisic has gone months without scoring, and the supporting cast clearly aren’t good enough.
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While it’s true that the goals are scored by the attackers, it’s also true that the service has been lacking in recent weeks. Saelemaekers shifted the balance of power in the first half of the season in his new wing-back role, yet he too has suffered a decline.
In the first part of 2025-26 he was omni-present defensively and offensively with his runs, recoveries, counter-attacks and even goals. The Belgian was anywhere and everything in tandem with Pulisic on the right flank, creating overloads with clever movement and well-timed runs.
In the first 15 games – ones he played practically all in full – the former Roma loanee provided four assists and scored two goals. That was until December. Since January? Only one assist, for Niclas Fullkrug in Milan 1-0 Lecce.
What has changed?
Saelemaekers is a very temperamental person, who often gets carried away by the events of the match, for better or worse.
In Rome, even though he was only half-fit, he put in perhaps his worst performance for Milan, so much so that he was substituted in the 45th minute. Against Cremonese it was a tough away match where the Belgian was certainly among the worst in an ugly game.
In other words, in a moment of negative pressure, where everything that can go wrong does go wrong and little or nothing on the pitch succeeds, Alexis is more affected than others. This is where a great player emerges: when he is the one to reverse events and not let them take over.
So yes, Milan need to see the real Leao again, to rediscover Pulisic’s lively legs and his goals, to find defensive stability (totally absent against Sassuolo) again, but it is equally essential to rediscover the best Saelemaekers.
The hope is that after Allegri’s speech at Milanello, he, like the whole team, can return to making the fans sleep soundly in the race for qualification for the Champions League.
Yes, he is world class, that is why Bologna refused to buy him for 10M€.
Yes because the transfer market makes sense.
It’s because he is an average player with an above average work rate. I didn’t see any other clubs offering a single € for him after Bologna refused to buy him? Because he is amazing?
🤣
1) GILA (pure addition to an actual squad depth,
a resource we(‘ve) so much lacked this season),
2) AKE instead of ODOGU,
3) DODO/PALESTRA/MOLINA/DOUE,
4) GORETZKA instead of RLC,
5) bring back Musah/Bondo for the 7th MC role,
6) return Comotto too, MA already mentioned it,
7) GRIMALDO instead of ESTUPINAN,
8) CHIESA (or someone else) instead of Nkunku,
9) VLAHOVIC/RAMOS/RETEGUI (?) instead of Leao
(not exactly a 100% “clear” exchange in any sense but you get the idea),
10) SORLOTH ? instead of Gimenez (and Fullkrug);
11) Camarda should also return and be used as a 3rd/5th forward, he’ll get his chance and minutes;
8 NEW PLAYERS, 3 RETURNS, 7 (6+1) DEPARTURES;
He needs an end product.
If they can give him someone to pass to who’ll score that might help.
Saelemaekers is a mediocre average player. We should have been sold him to Roma for 20+ millions last summer…
And who would we have on that flank, Athekame or someone even worse than him? AS’s not that bad at all, he should stay in the club because we also need good bench and be used as a decent rotation player.
All the attacking-minded players are struggling. It can’t possibly be the coach, now can it? It MUST BE the players since Allegri is know for his “offense is the best defense” philosophy!
Alexis doesn’t have a natural replacement on this team, so when he’s worked up and down the field the entire season without any real rest, the form dips.
Is he some amazing talent? Of course not. He works hard and is only one of the few players that can take his defender on in a dribble. He’s not a pillar but he’s reflective of this Milan.