Following the conclusion of the African Cup of Nations, one of Ismael Bennacer’s international teammates has suggested that the midfielder should look to move to the Premier League in the future instead of staying with AC Milan.
The past year has not been easy for Bennacer by any means. The Algerian midfielder spent a lengthy period sidelined from the end of the 2022-23 season until nearly the midway point of the 2023-24 season.
However, despite his long absence, Milan have not lost the player he was, and from his return, he has shown the same class that Rossoneri fans grew to know as a commodity. Whilst his AFCON was cut short due to injury, fears of something significant were quickly shut down when he returned to the pitch just over a fortnight after his injury.
As a player of his class, his ambitions are lofty, as he has shown when he stated his dream is to win the Ballon d’Or. Islam Slimani, one of his international teammates, has suggested how he could achieve that when speaking to Gianlucadimarzio.com, and his words have been relayed by HITC.
How high can Bennacer aim?
“I have known him since 2017, and I can say that he deserves to be where he is. When he was 17 or 18 years old, it was already immediately noticeable that he had a lot of quality. Without taking anything away from AC Milan, which is a great club, I believe he can aim even higher.
“He could play for teams like Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, especially because he is still young. I maybe would have left [Milan] already. Where [should he go to]? To the Premier League!”
“The injury he suffered last spring held him back. Previously, he was considered one of the best midfielders in the world, but I’m sure he’ll be back even stronger.”
Up until last season, when Milan lost Kessie and a replacement wasn’t brought in, Bennacer wasn’t even a starter at Milan but according to this guy he was considered one of the best midfielders in the world.
Also, he is injured every year, not just the injury he suffered last spring.
He might want to aim for a club bigger than Milan, but those clubs bigger than Milan aim for players better than Bennacer.
He has a low release clause compared to other midfielders and yet no one is knocking on Milan’s door to buy him. No one knocked on Milan door last season before his renewal when they could have had him for even less than that based on how much time was left on his contract.
Bennacer is a decent player who can’t stay on the pitch for an extended period of time.
One of the best midfielders in the world? Nah.
I had to read this a couple of times. He wasn’t a starter up until last season? What are you smoking?
It’s actually true. After his first major injury, Bennacer didn’t returned fully to the starting 11 until last season when we had no other player to use. Before that Milan played mostly with Tonali, Kessie & Diaz in midfield. Bennacer was not good enough to break into the squad until we sold players
Bennacer was a starter in his first season in 2019/2020 and last season 22/23, after the undisputed starter Kessie left. The other 2 seasons in between, Kessie and Tonali were the starters.
Bennacer played just as much as Krunic did.
It would be nice if people double check the information before they respond emotionally.
Serie A matches played:
19/20 – 31 matches
20/21 – 21 matches
21/22 – 31 matches
22/23 – 28 matches
In 20/21 he had three injuries, two of them with longer setbacks (26 days and 38 days out).
These are starter stats despite injuries.
I’ve been thinking for a long time, but I can’t remember which club is bigger than Milan! 🤔
Arsenal let him go no they are begging to get him back
-I maybe would have left [Milan] alread-
said the dude who floped at Leicester and then gone done the nomad route
Overpriced league. No wonder your National Team never won anything
Not even Liverpool has more UCL than Milan what is he smoking?
” I maybe would have left [Milan] already. ”
Says someone who has never played for Milan. Ask any great player who has played for the club and they’ll all answer that “Milan is a family”.