After another impressive performance in the win over Roma, Sandro Tonali is rapidly proving to be capable of being a stalwart of this AC Milan side for years to come.
The Rossoneri are short-handed this month, as along with injury issues and COVID absences, both Franck Kessie and Ismael Bennacer are away on international duty at the AFCON.
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That in turn has left a void in midfield that Tonali has been asked to fill, and judging from his first effort against Roma, Stefano Pioli will feel confident that his team is in safe hands.
Now this isn’t anything new, as Tonali has been in impressive form since the start of the season, and subsequently he has drawn plenty of praise for the improvement and development he’s shown in his game as he looks to mature into one of the top midfielders in Italy.
However, this is a new level of responsibility and pressure for him, and the significant positive for Milan is that not only has he not looked weighed down by it, but he appears to be relishing it.
Tonali’s impressive rate of growth and maturity stands out
Tonali, 21, put in a steely, classy performance on Thursday night, one that should give us confidence that he’ll be able to take over the reins not only this month, but for the rest of this season and beyond.
It’s hoped that Tiemoue Bakayoko finds his form in the coming weeks as he’ll be an important help to him as an anchor in the midfield, with Tonali then given a little more freedom to break forward and try to be a little more progressive and offensive with his play.
That said, he’s doing a fine job currently in getting the ball into the feet of our attacking players, and thus providing a platform on which we can control games and dominate possession to not only nullify the opposition, but to also cause them problems.
Still only 21 years of age, Tonali is proving on the pitch that he’s going to be a long-term solution for us in that department.
After the criticism and frustration of seeing the club sell the likes of Bryan Cristante and Manuel Locatelli and not trusting in homegrown youth, it appears as though Milan have ultimately got it right with a talent like Tonali capable of now kicking on and being a mainstay in the side for many years if he continues on this trajectory.
It’s still early in his career and he still has plenty more room for growth, but there is absolutely no reason why he can’t be considered more than just a key player, as he is displaying all the hallmarks of a future captain with his leadership skills no doubt improving as he receives a bigger role and learns from the senior players in the current squad.
There is a lot to be hopeful and optimistic about with Tonali, and talent aside, he just gets it too having made no secret of being a boyhood Milan fan. He’s passing all sorts of tests this season having made a big leap from last year where he was perhaps slightly underwhelming following his move from Empoli, but we’re now starting to see a real gem of a player who is arguably making a concrete case of surpassing both Kessie and Bennacer in the pecking order, even when they’re available.