Raoul Bellanova could be a transfer target for the AC Milan mangement ahead of next season. The former product of the Rossoneri youth system would also be useful for squad list purposes, since the club should (barring catastrophes) play in the next edition of the Champions League. Cost? Atalanta’s asking price could be between 20 and 30 million euros, still a significant amount for a player who would arrive as a right-wing alternative to Alexis Saelemaekers.
Here is an analysis of Bellanova's performances, with numbers provided by 'Opta' and 'Sofascore'.
In his career, he has played 133 Serie A matches as a right-back, scoring 2 goals with 4.27 expected goals. 17 assists for the 2000-born player, above the 11.1 expected. 28 chances created, with 19 clean sheets. Less than one goal conceded per match with him on the pitch, and over 3 balls recovered on average, with almost one crucial defensive intervention per game. Very interesting numbers for Bellanova, who has played at Atalanta in a tried-and-tested system: a back three with wing-backs pushing forward and tracking back to defend.
If the Rossoneri really pushed for the former Torino player, it would mean continuing to rely on the 3-5-2: it is hard to imagine Milan investing in Bellanova only to move him to right-back. Another interesting question: what could Athekame’s future be if Bellanova actually arrives? The Atalanta winger would hardly join Milan as a marginal player; he would likely want significant playing time. The Italian could take important minutes away from Athekame, a player who has improved noticeably this season. Could he be loaned out, or maybe adapted to the left if Estupiñán were to be sold? These could be the two options for the Swiss player. This was relayed via Pianeta Milan.
