Sometimes, in football, haste comes at a high cost. And watching Alexis Saelemaekers' performance today at Roma, the question naturally arises: did Milan make a mistake by letting him go?
Six goals in nineteen appearances in yellow and red, convincing performances, and a growth that seems to have brought the Belgian back to the best levels of his career. A season that is nothing short of positive, which inevitably makes one reflect on those at Milanello who considered him expendable just a few months ago. Yet, Saelemaekers' story at Milan didn’t begin under an unlucky star. Quite the opposite.
Arriving in January 2020, Alexis immediately established himself as a valuable utility player: an attacking winger in a 4-2-3-1, a full-back when needed, ready to provide balance on both the right and left with the same ease. His first impact, precisely against Verona, hinted at interesting qualities, which were later confirmed after the forced break due to the pandemic. So much so that the club decided to seriously invest in him, redeeming him the following summer for 4 million euros and tying him with a four-year contract.
Under Stefano Pioli, Saelemaekers grew to become an important piece of the 2022 Scudetto-winning team: not a star, but a fundamental element in the tactical puzzle. Unsung work, running, versatility: traits that every coach would want at their disposal.
Then came the summer of revolution. The arrivals of Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze completely changed the hierarchy on the wings, and Saelemaekers progressively found himself on the margins of the tactical project. First, a loan to Bologna – which ended without an option to buy – and then a new loan to Roma, this time as part of the deal that brought Tammy Abraham to Milan.
And here is where the big regret arises. Because at Roma, Saelemaekers has returned to being a protagonist. Not just goals and assists, but also solid, concrete performances, showing himself to be a real player. A tactical weapon that they have managed to exploit, as perhaps Milan had forgotten to do.
Maybe Milan was too hasty. Maybe they didn’t believe enough in Alexis’ ability to reinvent himself, adapt to different roles, and regain consistency. In modern football, where versatility is an invaluable asset, letting go of a player capable of covering multiple areas of the field, and with increasing performance, risks being a careless mistake paid for dearly.
What is the future like for Alexis Saelemaekers?
That is still yet to be known as of right now. But today one thing is certain: looking at Saelemaekers’ season at Roma, Milan should start asking itself some questions. And quickly.
Source: PianetaMilan.it
