He was supposed to be a credible solution, if not the designated heir, to Theo Hernandez. An experienced, international profile, ready to bear the weight of a role fundamental to Milan’s game. Yet, as of today, Estupinan represents one of the biggest question marks of the Rossoneri’s season. The field has delivered harsh verdicts, and match after match, the expected breakthrough has never come. Not even in Florence, when the opportunity was prime and the context favorable for a resurgence.
Estupinan from potential starter to backup option
The clearest indicator of Estupinan’s current situation is his hierarchy: today Allegri prefers Davide Bartesaghi, younger, inexperienced, but evidently more reliable. A strong signal, which tells more than any statistic about the Ecuadorian fullback’s downsizing. From a man tasked with managing a delicate succession to a simple alternative, unable to offer guarantees. His appearances are sporadic, and when they come, they never convey the sense of solidity or personality that a player of his profile (and cost) should bring, as pointed out by Milan News.
Too many mistakes, Florence as a snapshot of the problem
The issue, however, goes beyond the coach’s choices. When Estupinan takes the field, he continues to fall short of Milan’s standards. Technical errors are frequent, defensive reads often wrong, offensive drive limited, clumsy, and predictable. In Florence, despite a significant opportunity to bounce back, his performance was lacking in many areas: insecure, inaccurate, never truly involved in the game. A familiar script that fuels increasingly heavy doubts. Whoever is called to inherit the legacy of someone like Theo Hernandez cannot afford to make so many mistakes, so often.
Today, Estupinan, more than a resource, seems like an unresolved problem.
