AC Milan’s recent upturn in form has been down to consistency in a system and selection more than anything else. It came after consistent losses to three big sides, but things have come on track for the Rossoneri since then. In this three-game unbeaten run, Franck Kessie has been an important part.
Fresh reports claim that new Napoli boss Rino Gattuso could be looking to bring him to the Stadio San Paolo soon. They state that the Rossoneri would want a fee of €30million to part ways with the Ivorian. The report goes onto say that coaches have Milan have seen dynamism and a fighting spirit in the former Atalanta man – and with online casino www.bitcoincasino.io not pricing Milan as favourites to gain Champions League qualification this season, they need to add reinforcements.
In recent games, Kessie has done well. In the recent 3-2 win over Bologna, he wasn’t too impressed by any means. But Kessie did win two tackles and made one interception, playing two key passes in the game as well. He had a good passing accuracy of 85 percent as well.
With Ismael Bennacer acting as the anchor and Giacomo Bonaventura the attacking midfielder, Kessie had to play between the lines. He had the task of winning it back and passing it forward.
In Milan’s 1-1 draw with Napoli, Kessie came on from the bench to play the second-half. He won two tackles, completing one dribble. He also had one key pass to his name. With a passing percentage of 90, he was good on the ball and allowed play to flow through him very well.
Things haven’t exactly been smooth sailing for Kessie over the years though. He is one of those players who blow hot and cold. He is often criticised for a lack of technical ability and how it lets him down. He has never been known to be an intense tackler too. Neither is he a Nicolo Barella nor is he a Nicolo Zaniolo. He’s just somewhere in the middle.
But it is Gattuso who valued him a lot in his 16-17 month-long tenure at the San Siro. Those are the same values that Gian Piera Gasperini also had a liking for during Kessie’s time at Atalanta. Indeed, his work-rate has always been up to the mark.
Back in January 2018, Gattuso did heap praise on Kessie. And it was high praise. He said (via Goal.com):
“Kessie is far better than I ever was because he has seven or eight goals in his legs per season. In any case, we’ve got to focus on the collective and not individuals.”
In that sense, a move to Napoli would help Kessie get back to a place where he is loved. He can still rediscover his true self in Milan. But running away from a chance to go back to Gattuso could be a regret, in the long run.
Under Carlo Ancelotti, Napoli had a lack of midfield depth. They constantly got overrun in midfield due to a lack of midfielders who can cover a lot of ground. Piotr Zielinski isn’t someone who can do that, neither is Fabian Ruiz. Eljif Elmas isn’t that powerful box-t-box player either.
A player like Kessie adds power and venom to that part of the pitch. Gattuso would probably go with a 4-3-3 shape- like he did at Milan. That will have a role for Kessie as the player between the attacking midfielder and the anchorman.
His tenacity could help Allan, allowing Fabian more freedom to create and score. Every new manager needs a player on his side who can help him impose the style onto the club. Kessie could be that player for Gattuso at the Partenope.
