Louis Gibberd-Thomas examines whether AC Milan were right to allow 17-year-old Hachim Mastour leave the club during the summer transfer window.
The mass majority of AC Milan fans were appalled to see Hachim Mastour depart the club this summer, albeit on a two-year loan deal to La Liga side Malaga. The move includes a €5 million buyout clause that Malaga can activate after the loan period, but Milan also have a buyback option of €6m. Were it not for the decision to implement an option to re-sign Mastour, it’s very likely protests among fans would be much much louder.
For Milan fans, this frustration at the management for showing an impatience with young players is nothing new. Having confirmed the initiation of a focus on youth, each season has seen the departure of notable protagonists to this project; most recently Bryan Cristante and Stephan El Shaarawy.
However, the departure of both players coincided with particular circumstances: Cristante wasn’t valued too highly by the management, while El Shaarawy would have had to compete with both Luiz Adriano and Carlos Bacca for a place in the Rossoneri starting line-up. These were decisions that the hierarchy felt they had to make, with this latest situation regarding Mastour following a similar pattern.
Big European sides are guilty of making knee-jerk judgements over young players and their potential. One of the best examples in Serie A was a young Brazilian by the name of Kerlon. The Cruzeiro youth graduate played just ten games in his home country before moving to Italy, with Chievo helping Inter to facilitate the move. Kerlon drew attention from European clubs for his audacious usage of the ‘seal dribble’ in competitive matches, a move that involves balancing the ball on the forehead continuously.
As much as his skill was eye-catching, Kerlon was limited to what he could do on the field. A subsequent loan move to Ajax held promise as the Nerazzurri hoped the Dutch giants could unlock the player’s potential. However, after failing to make a single appearance in the Eredivisie he returned to Inter and went out on several loan moves to Brazil before eventually leaving Italy altogether.
This serves as a perfect example of misjudging a player’s potential based simply on what they can do with the ball at their feet. Mastour could be someone that’s over-hyped as a result of his undoubted talent with the ball. Although it has to be said there is more to the 17-year-old than just one perfected skill, as he boasts a surprisingly powerful shot and keen awareness of player positioning.
The decision to represent Morocco may grant Mastour the match practice he needs, but he’s closed an avenue to stardom in the country of his birth. Hopes of seeing the talented youngster reach the heights of Roberto Baggio or Alessandro Del Piero for the Azzurri have been quashed, leading many (including the Rossoneri hierarchy) to question the boy’s real ambition. The change of allegiance at international level may have made the decision to sell considerably easier. Club owner Silvio Berlusconi has become fixated with creating an all Italian team; one that he’s willing to bankroll with the arrival of Alessio Romagnoli and Andrea Bertolacci.
The most we’ve really seen of Mastour has been in commercials or advertisement. His association with Red Bull has granted him a platform to show off his moves and tricks, but very little footage exists of any consistent performances where it matters, on the pitch. That’s not to say he hasn’t performed on the field.
His Milan debut in the youth ranks was mesmerising, leading many to insist his development be fast-tracked to the Primavera. Some excellent showings for the Italian youth sides have also been noted. But a series of injuries and on-and-off lacklustre displays have left many questions unanswered.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIjTdUR9O70[/youtube]
Despite these uncertainties, it can’t be denied that a club such as Milan, going through a transition such as they are, could ill afford to lose such a talented young player. Even if he fails to live up to the hype, surely it’s worth taking a punt on Mastour; particularly as no other option is forthcoming.
However, Malaga could be a far better place to develop then Milan right now. Los Boquerones lack a star factor in their squad this campaign, something that can make all the difference in their league finish in La Liga. With the freedom to play and without the hard-hitting tackles associated with Italian football, Mastour could blossom in Spain.
Perhaps the most important aspect of this move has been the idea of a return. The Diavolo hardly have to break the bank to reacquire Mastour, and the two-year loan will give him time to develop. It will also give the Rossoneri time to see how good Mastour really is, both in terms as a professional footballer but also his mental state. As much as they need a prodigy like Mastour, Milan can’t afford to waste time on a player that isn’t able to contribute at a time when they need it most – right now.
I am very disapointed by thos transfers of young player as fun of ac milan