Work always pays off, on and off the pitch. Because if it is true that certain players have given their best in recent months (and continue to do so), it is equally true that the managers who have chosen them have proved to be skilled with a vision for the future
Milan have a young and precious squad. La Gazzetta dello Sport this morning focuses in particular on five protagonists of Pioli's team: Calabria, Saelemaekers, Leao, Bennacer, and Kessié. Today they have a worth that is about €85 million more than at their beginning of their adventures with Milan.
Rafael Leao has shown he can also act as a pure centre forward and playmaker. He has now less breaks and more substance in his game: the value of the Portuguese rose from €24 million to €30 million.
Alexis Saelemaekers who cost only €7 million is now worth more than double. It is a big leap forward, like that of Davide Calabria, who this season has made many observers change their minds, first of all Roberto Mancini: the cost of the right-back card, produced by the Rossoneri youth sector, is around €20 million euros.
As for Ismael Bennacer, AC Milan paid about €16 million euros to sign him from Empoli but now he is protected with a €50 million release clause built in his contract hich can be exercised starting next summer, claims the source. The Algerian midfielder has unique characteristics and has no substitutes in the AC Milan team.
Then there is Franck Kessié who is one of Milan's pillars and the best partner for Bennacer. He cost the Rossoneri around €26 million but today, he is valued at €40 million.