It’s been a positive start to the new season for AC Milan, and Stefano Pioli is seeing continued growth from his talented but young squad.
The Rossoneri have taken 19 points from our opening seven Serie A games, leaving us in second place in the standings and just two points adrift of leaders Napoli.
READ MORE: Talking tactics: Dynamic Milan show real quality in three-goal showing vs Atalanta
Our Champions League campaign hasn’t gone to plan thus far, but on our return to Europe’s biggest stage after eight years away, we’ve applied ourselves well in difficult games against Liverpool and Atletico Madrid and arguably deserve to be better off.
Nevertheless, this season will be about continued improvement and development as we look to compete for major honours, and while countless other key individuals have stepped up thus far, the quintet below deserve a special mention.
Davide Calabria
While the Italian right-back has already made 158 appearances for the senior Milan side, he has struggled over the years to make the position his own in the face of varied competition.
However, now 24, he’s maturing and developing into a leading figure in the side and a reliable part of the defensive unit.
Faced with wearing the armband at times too, he’s stepped up and delivered so far this season and it’s hoped that he’s entering the prime years of his career and we’re yet to see him peak.
Alessio Romagnoli
Albeit one of the ‘older’ members of the squad now and one who has been part of the club for the longest, Romagnoli has shown a different type of maturity this year.
As club captain, it can’t have been easy to have been dropped last season and seen his replacement, Fikayo Tomori, blossom into one of the best centre-halves in Europe next to stalwart Simon Kjaer.
However, Romagnoli has answered the call every time so far this season when Pioli has needed him, and he’s making it difficult to be left out as we look to rotate and compete on multiple fronts.
Rafael Leao
From seven goals and six assists in 40 appearances last season to four goals and an assist in nine games so far in the current campaign, we’re seeing a positive level of growth from the Portuguese forward.
Not only in his decisiveness in the final third though, as he’s displaying the right attitude and work ethic on and off the ball to show that he’s ready to accept added responsibility and take his game to the next level.
Consistency and raising the bar will continue to be his biggest challenges, but it’s been a positive start to the season.
Brahim Diaz
Wearing the No.10 at Milan can undoubtedly be a burden and a pressure that some players might struggle with.
Diaz though has seemingly relished it with four goals and two assists in nine games so far this year, as he has not only become an increasingly important figure in the final third with his creativity, but also a fundamental player in providing an end product too.
Similarly to Leao, he can’t settle for the level he’s at now as at 22 years of age, he still has gears to go through to reach his potential.
Sandro Tonali
Perhaps the most impressive of them all, watching Tonali so far this season has been an utter joy.
The 21-year-old almost looks like a different player. The way in which he has physically imposed himself on games, become a disruptive force for the opposition in the defensive phase and a potentially decisive figure going forward, he has shown the ability to be an all-round dominant individual in midfield.
Tonali failed to register a single goal or assist in 37 appearances for Milan last season. He already has two goals and an assist in nine outings this year. As noted above though, it’s more than the figures, as he’s shown growth and maturity to suggest that he’s developing into a top, top player.