After reaching the halfway point of the campaign, some Milan fans are already calling it a déjà vu. For the second season in a row, Stefano Pioli’s men went on to a blistering start, before dropping their pace and squandering the Serie A lead in favor of their crosstown rivals. Nevertheless, the Rossoneri still sit second of the table just four points away from Inter, and despite their early Champions League elimination, their campaign still had its good moments. As for the players, some of them rose to the challenge, while others left much to be desired. So let’s take a look at the best and worst performers at Milan during the first half of the 2021/22 season.
Flop #3 – Pietro Pellegri
Once upon a time, a 16-year-old shocked the Calcio world by scoring a Serie A brace for Genoa. Of course the Grifone were going to cash in on him (as always), and he ended up joining Monaco.
Almost four years later, Pietro Pellegri is struggling to reignite the aura that once surrounded him, and he’s yet to produce one memorable performance since making the move to Milan last summer.
At 20-years-old, time is still on his side, so let’s hope that he manages to stay fit and make some contribution for an attacking department that is crying for young blood.
Top #3 – Mike Maignan
Well, here’s one Ligue 1 export who’s making a positive impact on the club. The former Lille man might not be as physically strong as his predecessor, but his quick reactions and ability to play with the ball at his feet render him more than a capable replacement for the one we shall not name – at least in the presence of Diavolo fans.
At least in our own humble assessment, we picked the Milan man as the best goalkeeper in our Best XI performers from the first half of the Serie A season.
Flop #2 – Franck Kessié
Is Franck Kessié one of the worst players at Milan? Of course not. We can surely find worse players within Pioli’s squad.
But our definition for the term “Flop” is someone who fails to meet the expectations laid upon him.
And in the Ivorian’s case, theses expectations couldn’t have been higher following his exploits from last season, back when was arguably the best midfielder in Italy.
Although his brace against Empoli on the final match of the year could be the beginning of a redemption tour, the former Atalanta man looked distracted by his contractual situation and much-less enthusiastic for the club’s cause since the start of the season.
Top #2 – Sandro Tonali
Luckily for Milan, Sandro Tonali reminded us of why he was considered to be one of the best up-and-coming midfielders in Italian football.
The 21-year-old tended to the club’s woes in the middle of the park, displaying his passion and dedication to the Rossoneri cause.
The former Brescia Golden Boy has proven to be an essential player in both phases of the game, and even his set-piece delivery is improving.
Flop #1 – Tiemoué Bakayoko
Two years following his departure, the forever-on-loan midfielder made his return to Milanello for a second spell at the club.
Although his first stint was far from prefect, the Frenchman was a physical beast who was well-appreciated by Gennaro Gattuso.
But this time around, he seems to be a shadow of his former self – a more restricted version if we shall say.
Even with the likes of Kessié and Ismael Bennacer failing to replicate their forms from last season, the Chelsea-owned player was nowhere near reclaiming his old starting spot.
Top #1 – Fikayo Tomori
Since his arrival to Milan, the Englishman is slowly but surely cementing his reputation as one of the best defenders in the Italian peninsula.
The former Chelsea man is simply a rock at the back. He formed a great partnership with Simon Kjaer before the latter’s injury, and is now helping Alessio Romagnoli finding his feet again.
He’s arguably the one player that Pioli can’t do without at the moment.