Milan to Trust Youngsters After Major Bennacer Injury

Further exams upon his return to Italy confirmed that Ismael Bennacer would indeed miss months due to a severe tear in his right calf, as the Algeria doctors suspected. He’ll consult with a specialist next week to determine how to proceed in the rehab. He might need surgery to properly address the injury. Such a call will also define the timetable for his return. In any case, he won’t be back in 2024, SportMediaset informs.

The future of the midfielder hung in the balance until deadline day. The Rossoneri weren’t plotting to replace him if he left. They made an attempt for Adrien Rabiot, but it was short-lived due to his hefty requests.

Milan are unlikely to turn to a free agent to substitute for Bennacer and plan to trust their youngsters. Silvano Vos has fared well in his first appearances with the Futuro side. Kevin Zeroli is also expected to play with the first team more regularly.

According to Calciomercato, besides Rabiot, the possible outside options for the Rossoneri were Miralem Pjanic and Davy Klaassen, but they most likely won’t go in such a direction. A newcomer would be able to play in Serie A but not in the Champions League, as such a list can’t be modified.

Our Take on Milan and Bennacer

The offers probably weren’t great, but their decision to keep him couldn’t have backfired more quickly. They are lucky that Tijjani Reijnders is a trooper, but their midfield is one absence away from falling apart. Given their disastrous balance in the first three matches, going with the aggressive version of their 4-2-3-1, moving Ruben Loftus-Cheek to a more defensive role, isn’t really viable.