With the Serie A season currently postponed due to COVID-19, there’s time to kick back and look back at the season so far. AC Milan have not performed up to their standard once more, but the season has had its fair share of highs. If the season returns, the squad is just three points behind a European spot, so let’s take a look at who has performed best and may continue too.
Top Three AC Milan Players This Season
3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic did not arrive in Milan until the second half of the season, part of the winter transfer market. Milan was in a lost spot, mostly due to their horrid form under now sacked manager Marco Giampaolo. Simply put, the team was unable to score goals.
Enter Zlatan.
The Swede’s scoring record this season isn’t outstanding. Three goals in eight league matches and one in two cup matches doesn’t shoot him up the leaderboard. His impact, however, is so much more than that.
Ibrahimovic opens play up. He’s fantastic in finding open teammates and creates an entirely different defensive game plan for opposing teams. Gone was the old Milan of passing to former winger Suso and hoping for magic. Ibrahimovic had the squad playing like an actual team.
Lastly, Ibrahimovic is a natural leader. The players look up to him and want to win for and with him. The rise of spirits within Milan was evident when Ibrahimovic joined.
2. Theo Hernandez
Theo Hernandez‘s acquisition this summer was not met with global fanfare. The former Real Madrid player was trying to make a name for himself elsewhere as he couldn’t quite cut it in Spain’s capital. Paolo Maldini prioritised Hernandez, however, and that in itself was a sign for optimism.
The optimism was warranted, as the Frenchman is enjoying a breakout season. As previously mentioned, Milan had been struggling for goals, but it was none other than the left-back who was providing a handful. In 22 league games, he has scored five times and assisted twice. In three cup games, he’s scored once.
Hernandez blazes with speed on the left flank. He plays with passion. The eye test for him on and off the field shows the love he has for the club. In a time of constant transfers and wage negotiations, a true passion for the club is hard to come by. Hernandez displays this and has already become a true fans’ favourite at the San Siro.
1. Gianluigi Donnarumma
The 21-year-old remains Milan’s most consistent player. Talent-wise, many would argue he’s the best goalkeeper in Italy. Not many would argue that he is not Milan’s most important player.
At least two or three plays per game can be found as to where Gianluigi Donnarumma bails out Milan and keeps them alive. With a shaky defence in front of him, Rossoneri faithful often let out a sigh of relief knowing Donnarumma is there to protect the back of the net.
It’s amazing to look back at the Italian’s age. He’s been a mainstay in the Milan line-up for years now and has consistently been a top three player for the club. This season, however, his impact has been through the roof.
There is speculation that he may leave at the end of the term. He is a Champions League quality player, and Milan may not be able to offer that.
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