The step up could now be just around the corner. Alphadjo Cisse is one of the hottest names ahead of the next Italy senior national team call-ups, with Roberto Mancini keen to understand whether the performances shown by the former Catanzaro player with Milan at the start of this season can be immediately replicated at international level.
The 2006-born youngster could indeed be called up for the next international break as a reward for his performances in the Rossoneri shirt (and beyond). Cisse is in fact Milan's top scorer across all competitions and, just a month ago, made his mark in Armenia-Italy U21, scoring a decisive goal in Baldini's side's qualification campaign for the next European Championship, as relayed via Milan News.
Cisse's first goal for the U21 side came on 1 October against Armenia, in a match that seemed cursed. Coming on at half-time, the young Milan forward hit the crossbar, won the penalty that Koleosho missed and then found the winner with his left foot in the dying moments, earning the Azzurrini three points that proved worth their weight in gold in the European qualification campaign.
From that point onwards, his development has not stopped. In fact, he has maintained consistent performances since 23 August. Having opened his account on the first matchday of the league season against Torino, Cisse has continued to score goals for Milan throughout these first few months of the campaign, already netting seven times between the league and the Europa League, showcasing a valuable quality that could prove more than useful to Roberto Mancini: the ability to make an impact in different roles.
Cisse could be the latest addition to Roberto Mancini's Italy
Head coach Mancini's squad list for Italy's upcoming fixtures could feature several youngsters, but Cisse is the name that generates the most curiosity. His profile combines flair, speed and versatility, but above all, a natural goalscoring instinct that has made him one of the most pleasant surprises of Ruben Amorim's Milan side.
Furthermore, the senior national team could offer him a new dimension just as the U21 side has now achieved its objective, partly thanks to him: qualification for the next European Championship. For Mancini, this is therefore the right opportunity to test a talent already accustomed to delivering in Serie A.
