Santiago Gimenez: from predestined to benched centre forward in Milan

In fact, a red and black rollercoaster and a rollercoaster for “El Bebote”. Second most expensive investment by RedBird, 32 million plus bonuses (37,5 for De Ketelaere), contract until 2029 for 2,5 million per season, immediate impact: assist on debut in the Coppa Italia. Then goals in the first league match against Empoli and in the second against Verona: previously, Pulisic and Shevchenko had managed it. The 23-year-old has also inherited the number 7 from the Ukrainian, his idol like Kakà, Ronaldinho and Ibrahimovic (also present yesterday at Milanello, together with Geoffrey Moncada). All red and black, like the shirt worn by little Santiago in a family photo. Predestined, the feeling, reinforced by Ibra himself: "Who does he resemble? Nobody, but he is as strong as me". A resume to rub your hands together: 20 goals with Feyenoord two seasons ago, 26 last year, 16 up until January before moving to Milan.

At San Siro, in the Champions League, his last signature, precisely against his former team, on February 18. Since then, 8 dry games, 5 as a starter, the last 3 as a substitute. Starting from Naples, where he also missed a penalty (it hadn't happened to him in over a year). Rejected by Sergio Conceiçao, in fact. Who tried to protect him: "He scores in training, he did it when he arrived too. Many struggled at the beginning in Italy, it's normal. Me too: they called me "pippa", then with Lazio we won the Super Cup thanks to one of my goals and I became "pippina". Let's give him his space". He has had less and less of it.

More space, however, for Tammy Abraham: the recent signings in the Coppa Italia derby and with Fiorentina have brought him into double figures. The numbers, however, represent the snag for the Englishman on dry loan from Roma: valuation around 25 million and salary of 4,5. We will talk about him in a few months, like Alexis Saelemaekers who did the opposite path (and is highly regarded by the Giallorossi). And like Luka Jovic: for months on the sidelines, so much so that he was not included in the Champions League list, also held back by injuries (at the end of November the operation to reinforce the left inguinal canal), just 200 minutes of pitch. In the last 78, however, he has conceded an encore of goals, with Napoli and Fiorentina. "I want to play", the Serbian recently said in his homeland. His salary has been reduced (1,3 million) and his contract expires this summer. Among the many situations to be evaluated, there will also be his. Like that of the other centre-forwards. With debts I distinguish. The star Francesco Camarda, with Milan Futuro for the end of the season. And Divock Origi: out of the squad, contract until June 2026 and 4 million salary per year. But this is a whole other story.

News from the infirmary: Kyle Walker underwent surgery yesterday for a fractured right elbow. The player will begin rehabilitation immediately.