The decision was made by Stefano Pioli to take a number of AC Milan’s Primavera squad on the tour of the USA to evaluate their current level.
The names in question are as follows: Lapo Nava, Kevin Zeroli, Jan-Carlo Simic, Davide Bartesaghi and Chaka Traoré. La Gazzetta dello Sport have taken a look at each player and what the future might hold after such a gesture of faith.
Simic: He made his debut against Real Madrid in the first game in the USA after Matteo Gabbia was left out due to his Villarreal move being imminent. The teenager responded present with a solid and attentive performance.
He also did well in the second outing against Juve, often limiting Milik when called upon. Having signed from Stuttgart for €250k a year ago, Simic is among the highest rated defenders in the youth sector.
Bartesaghi: He has a hair more experience than his younger colleagues, and he finished second only behind Charles De Ketelaere in an intra-squad penalty shootout after one training session in Los Angeles.
However, he missed his spot kick against Juventus in the last friendly. Despite this, he has spent time studying Theo Hernandez while demonstrating his physique and tactical intelligence when called upon to play at centre-back, despite being a natural left-back.
Traore: For Chaka it’s a different story as he is now part of the first team squad and he recently renewed his contract with the Rossoneri, tying himself to the club until 2028.
In the States he is working well, fielding everything possible to take advantage of the opportunity and he played for half an hour against Juve, wide on the left.
After an excellent season in the Primavera (30 appearances, 8 goals and 6 assists), Pioli’s evaluations will weigh on him and on his future.
Nava: In his last year with Abate’s Primavera side, Lapo Nava made 28 appearances and was a big part of the run to the semi-finals of the UEFA Youth League.
In America, Pioli has not yet found the right opportunity to give him a few minutes but that is more because of the current hierarchies and the desire to give Marco Sportiello game time. Time is on his side.
Zeroli: His week overseas is framed by a couple of photos shared on Instagram, in which he shows himself with an attentive gaze ready to continue the run-up: “I’ve dreamed of one of these nights for years. Thirteen years here, always in the Rossoneri. From chicks to date, the debut in the first team. A unique emotion. Happy for this achievement, I will remember it forever.”
Zeroli played about ten minutes against Juve. After doing well in the first friendly match against Lumezzane (complete with a goal in the 7-0 win), he got excited and didn’t hide it.
The comments of the fans, young and old, already see him as a possible ‘bandiera’ for the club given his graduation through the various stages of the youth sector and the fact he is a boyhood fan of the club.
Ac Milan should try and sign joa cancello of man City ,den will win the championship league
Only two players I think have a chance to break into the first squad is Simic and Zeroli. But the most interesting players was not in the US, namley Eletu.
“None are ready yet”
Are any like this:
TOP 10: PRIMAVERA PROSPECTS OF 2013
https://forzaitalianfootball.com/2013/08/top-10-primavera-prospects-of-2013/amp/
Predicting What AC Milan’s Lineup Could Look Like in 10 Years’ Time
https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2670567-predicting-what-ac-milans-lineup-could-look-like-in-10-years-time.amp.html
Ranking AC Milan’s Top 8 Youth Prospects
https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2647095-ranking-ac-milans-top-8-youth-prospects.amp.html
Didn’t you know?
Italy has forgotten how to play football.
We no longer create footballers in the depths of dying stars that are capable of inhuman feats.
That was so last century.
No, completely unrelated to the literally thousands of players being shifted around every few months like casual farm workers, something changed in the DNA of Italians that they lost the ability to play football.
These 5 won’t be going anywhere near the first team and it’s got nothing to do with ability.