Among controversial thoughts from Mino Raiola about a possible merging of AC and Inter Milan, ex-Roma forward, Mattia Destro, has been awarded a loan deal with AC Milan. Although this suggests Roma feel his place at the club was perhaps unnecessary, I can’t help but wonder whether they’ve let a real talent go? Destro’s performance for the Roman side, despite being limited this season, was always courageous, proactive and, most importantly, effective. Have they set free an under-utilised trump card?
Destro is certainly beaming; the initial loan to AC Milan will likely evolve into a permanent contract in the summer, and the 23-year-old will most probably be hoping that his career unfolds at the club. Milan have had a somewhat shoddy start to the Serie A campaign thus far, and Destro could be the spark to ignite some real action for the side. Destro is one of few additions or alterations at the club, and might bring a little young blood to the eleventh-place holders. His place within Roma’s first team might have been somewhat marred by the mass of calibre surrounding him, so he could mould nicely into the mix at Milan.
Roma are currently enjoying (of sorts) second place; they have been suffering the symptoms of not seizing first for some time. However, I really don’t feel that the loss of Destro will help Rudi Garcia’s men; in fact, with Kevin Strootman’s recent injury issue and the bid for Shakhtar’s Luiz Adriano going south due to a particularly low bid, Roma could begin to lag.
The striker claimed five goals in eight starts for Roma earlier in the season, which is not at all poor given that his name on the line-up sheet was not etched into the regular schedule. Destro will be in prime position to offer assistance to Milan in their desire to reach Champions League territory; this could have been more attainable had the youngster remained with Roma, though, and might be a tad ambitious.
Steering back to the above, Raiola’s comments about uniting both Milan clubs might not be so bizarre; his claim ultimately is that neither side will be in decent shape to progress either efficiently or rapidly through the Serie A ranks unless they join forces. That makes sense, really, doesn’t it? The trouble derives from both sides not being as wealthy of late, and so Destro’s new club (although Raiola’s concerns were voiced out of general feeling towards both clubs, rather than the welfare of specific players) might not land him the success he seeks.
As the agent of some of football’s biggest, wildest and downright most successful, including Mario Balotelli and Zlatan Ibrahimović, Raiola knows a few things about how the industry whirs. After coming close to buying numerous clubs in the past, it is obviously the financial gains, or lack thereof, which caused the agent to renege on his decision.
It would seem that AC Milan have become slightly enshrouded with rumours currently, but I should think they will only benefit from shaking hands with Destro, whether they decide to listen to tittle tattle about merging with Inter, or not. For Roma, it puzzles and intrigues me all at once how they will continue to fare in the Serie A, but they still possess more than enough to greet first place. February could see the rise of Roma (albeit only up one spot) and Milan…
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