The international break offers Milan a chance to catch their breath before the demanding run of fixtures awaiting them when football resumes in October, with Serie A and Europa League commitments on the horizon. Curiously, the Rossoneri will continue to play more away games than at home. It is also a good time to assess how the numerous players Milan sent out on loan during the summer are getting on. Of those deemed surplus to requirements, only Leão was sold outright, while all the others left on loan.
Zachary Athekame
Loaned to Lyon on a straight loan.
By far the best starter among the players Milan sent out on loan. In fact, after one season in Serie A, Athekame immediately found a place in Paulo Fonseca’s side, scoring twice and providing two assists. He has started all five of Lyon’s Ligue 1 matches and is showing very encouraging signs of development. What Fonseca evidently could not get from him as Milan coach, he is managing to get from him at Lyon. The Swiss full-back is currently one of the French side’s regular starters, featuring consistently and making an important contribution going forward.
Christopher Nkunku
Loaned to RB Leipzig for a €4 million loan fee with a €28 million purchase option.
Five appearances between the Bundesliga and Champions League, 309 minutes in total, one goal and one assist. Apart from the match against Gladbach, he has started every game, both in the Bundesliga and in the Champions League against Como. In Europe, he probably produced his poorest performance despite providing the assist for Leipzig’s only goal. In Germany, he scored against Hamburg and had a goal ruled out in the most recent game against Leverkusen. He is playing as a second striker/attacking midfielder, just as he did years ago before moving to Chelsea. He is finding the consistency that eluded him during his time at Milan last season.
Youssouf Fofana
Loaned to Sevilla on a straight loan.
Four La Liga appearances, 276 minutes and even a goal in the defeat to Barcelona on the final matchday. The Frenchman was thrown straight into the action and has shown himself to be an unpredictable but intriguing player. He has already become a fan favourite at Sevilla and has started three matches. Spain could provide him with an opportunity to revive his career after two inconsistent years at Milan.
Santiago Gimenez
Loaned to Porto with an €18 million purchase option that can become an obligation if certain conditions are met.
Three appearances between the league and Champions League, just 60 minutes of playing time and one penalty goal against Casa Pia. The Mexican has so far only been brought on for the final 15-20 minutes of matches, suggesting that his fitness following his summer injury is not yet at its best. It is important, however, that he has found the net: it is almost a year since his last goal for Milan, which came against Lecce in the Coppa Italia. So far, his performances have offered little encouragement.
Samuele Ricci
Loaned to Como for a €1.5 million loan fee with a €22 million purchase option plus around €2 million in bonuses.
Four appearances between Serie A and the Champions League, with just 70 minutes played in total. It is clear that, for now, he is only a reserve for Fàbregas, although he came on at half-time in the most recent match against Frosinone, which Como lost 2-0, and played the entire second half. It remains to be seen whether his playing time will increase after the international break, especially with Como competing in the Champions League this season.
Andrej Kostic
Loaned to Sparta Rotterdam on a straight loan.
After a promising pre-season, the Montenegrin was sent to the Netherlands to gain regular playing time. He has made three appearances and played 45 minutes in total, but his playing time has steadily increased: four minutes in his first appearance, followed by 13 and then 28. He was already accustomed to playing senior football in Serbia, so it will be interesting to see how he fares in a higher-level European league. The priority will be for him to earn plenty of playing time and minutes.
