Pervis Estupiñán arrived at Milan with a heavy weight on his shoulders. He had to replace Theo Hernandez, a full-back who in six seasons gave Milan much through quality on the pitch and his passion for the shirt. This made the start of his successor’s journey marked by prejudice.
Estupiñán with a tough beginning...
The Ecuadorian signed on July 24 for about 20 million euros including bonuses. He immediately joined the summer tour and played. In his first friendly appearances he looked unfit and made errors in defense. From that point a narrative started and it is still alive two months later.
Impact at San Siro, the Cremonese match
His first official game against Cremonese did not help him silence doubts. He played only the first half. He showed insecurity in possession and poor decision making, although he did provide the assist for the 1-1 goal. San Siro did not help him. The stadium is demanding and does not forgive mistakes.
Away at Lecce, first signs
The first half at Lecce was poor for the former Brighton player. In the second half he improved. In the win against Lecce he showed growth both physically and mentally. He looked calmer on the ball and less reckless.
Back at San Siro, convincing against Bologna
After the international break, where he also had a minor muscle problem, improvement was expected. Against Bologna at San Siro he delivered, as relayed via MilanPress.it.
He took a yellow card in the first half to stop a counterattack, but after that he was solid. He was active in attack, hitting the post at 0-0. In defense he shut down Orsolini. In buildup he was reliable, especially late in the match when he handled difficult possessions well. It was a strong performance that earned approval from San Siro.
Much work ahead, but prejudice helps no one
Replacing a fan idol like Theo Hernandez is not easy. Estupiñán needs time. Since his arrival, he has been labeled a “new Emerson Royal” or a “flop.” This has only fueled unfair attacks, as seen even after Bologna.
Many dismissed his display against a strong side or judged it negatively. This reflects a wider problem in football today. Clips and memes distort reality. They make some players look like stars while others are unfairly judged as failures before they adapt.
This does not mean Estupiñán is a star or that fans have forgotten Theo Hernandez. It means you need to watch full matches to judge what is happening, not rely on prejudice or selective narratives.
