AC Milan’s moves for a central defender caught just about everyone off guard. Perhaps starting with Igli Tare, who, before Lecce - Milan, admitted his surprise at the change of formation and the subsequent need for a new addition in the back line. Expectations had been for Manuel Akanji, who later joined Inter, but he never arrived.
Joe Gomez was considered practically a done deal, but Liverpool never gave the green light to let the English defender leave. And so Milan surprised everyone by pulling a rabbit out of the hat: a 19-year-old German of Nigerian descent, with only three appearances in professional football, all coming at the tail end of the last Bundesliga season with Wolfsburg.
Who is David Odogu?
David Odogu suddenly found himself catapulted into the Milan world. And Milan’s world still has to figure out what kind of player he really is. He tried to explain it himself in his first interview as a Rossonero:
"I want to keep clean sheets and protect our goal. I’m aggressive in one-on-one duels, strong in both individual and team defending. I want to improve physically and become more confident on the ball, strengthen my aerial play and defensive work. Milan defenders in the past have always been legends like Nesta, Maldini, and Baresi. I’ve always looked up to the best in my position, though I don’t have a specific idol. Right now, I really like Van Dijk."
Physical presence, personality, head held high. Those who describe him say he’s also reasonably good in possession. Of course, not experienced, but according to many, the raw material is definitely there.
Most likely, Milan didn’t need a profile like his. What was needed was experience, someone already proven, high-quality, with character. A leader. Odogu, clearly, is not that. But the youngster has a clear idea of how to shape both his present and his future:
"Now I realize I’m at Milan and that I can play alongside players like Modrić, for example. A year ago, I would never have imagined being on the same team as him. I’ll take him as an example, since we are young. Overall, the squad is full of great players, and I can’t wait to learn from them, because I’m very young and I want to improve. I have the best opportunity to do that at this club."
This was relayed via the Milan News website.
