AC Milan legends hail Fikayo Tomori after youngster's positive start

Fikayo Tomori loan paying off as AC Milan legends Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi hail the impact of Chelsea defender, while Fabio Capello insists Milan are ‘lucky’ to have landed English youngster on a temporary deal

  • Fikayo Tomori has made a positive impact since arriving from Chelsea in January 
  • The 23-year-old had seen game time limited under Frank Lampard this season 
  • However, Tomori has exceeded expectations after moving to the Italian capital
  • Paolo Maldini, Fanco Baresi and Fabio Capello have hailed the young defender 

At AC Milan’s Milanello training base, they are starting to believe they have finally found the heir to Franco Baresi, Alessandro Costacurta, Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta — and the man in question’s most successful season to date was in the Championship with Derby.

Fikayo Tomori has made a huge impact during his first two months in Italy.

The 23-year-old moved on loan from Chelsea in January until the end of the season, with an option to buy. Milan are already very keen to explore that clause and Tomori can further his cause with a strong performance against Manchester United in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Fikayo Tomori has been hailed following his instant impact with loan side AC Milan this season

The Chelsea defender, 23, moved to the Italian capital in January on loan, in search of minutes

‘Fikayo is a player with interesting qualities,’ said Maldini, perhaps the greatest player in Milan’s history and now their technical director. 

‘He is quick, hard-working and was someone we were following closely with January in mind. The deal contains an option to sign him from Chelsea. I’m lucky to work in a club where if a player knows we want them, it makes an impact. 

‘We might not have won anything at European level for 14 years, but Milan is still a historic club.’

Fellow Milan and Italy legend Baresi seems equally impressed, saying: ‘He is young and has played well so far when he’s had the chance. He is skillful and has great physical attributes. He is still adapting to the Italian league and I think he can only grow as a defender and help us out. There is great competition in England, but he is definitely one of the most promising prospects out there.

And the Italian giants have been impressed by the Englishman’s defensive intelligence so far


Former England boss Fabio Capello (L) and Milan legend Paolo Maldini (R) have hailed Tomori

‘His experience with AC Milan can certainly help him develop as a player.’

Italian coaches do not always think much of the tactical intelligence of English players, but Milan manager Stefano Pioli and his staff have been pleasantly surprised by how quickly Tomori has adapted. He has established himself so rapidly that he is now considered at the same level as Simon Kjaer and Alessio Romagnoli, the other centre backs fighting with him for two spots in the back four.

It may be a tall order for Tomori to make a late run for England’s Euro 2020 squad yet it is clear he has rediscovered his Derby form in Serie A.

On loan from Chelsea, Tomori was a key member of Frank Lampard’s County side who were beaten in the 2019 Championship play-off final and he made an impressive start at Stamford Bridge when Lampard took over that summer, only to fall from favour as the season progressed. With money short in Italian football, Milan may struggle to find the £24million required to buy him outright in the summer. Another loan deal looks like the most fruitful option for all parties.

Milan may not be able to afford his £24m price tag but a loan extension is likely next season

One of Milan’s most decorated former coaches is a fan, too.

‘He is a very good player, and Milan are lucky to have such a quick defender,’ said former England boss Fabio Capello.

Although Capello is not remembered with great fondness by England fans, his five Serie A titles as a coach mean he remains hugely respected in his homeland.

An endorsement from him suggests Milan might just have found themselves a gem.




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