The recent Serie A match between AC Milan and Napoli was
largely devoid of excitement or action, finishing in a goalless draw. On the
surface, the only incident of the match was Napoli midfielder Fabián’s late red
card.
However, in the 71st minute, there was a moment which, in
years to come, AC Milan fans may come to remember as the beginning of some
truly special years.
New signing Krzysztof Piątek
came on as a substitute. The Polish centre-forward replaced Patrick Cutrone.
As the January transfer window approaches its end, I
believe that despite the lack of hype surrounding his signing, the Rossoneri made
the best signing of the window by landing Piątek.
Although many have not taken notice, Piątek has been in the midst of a breakout season. Piątek
signed for Genoa from Ekstraklasa club Cracovia during the previous off-season,
and in the half-season he played for the Rossoblù, he scored 13 league goals in
19 games. That figure puts him fourth in Serie A. What makes this even more
impressive is that Genoa have been absolutely horrendous this season –
currently 15th in Serie A. Piątek has been responsible for more than half of
all their league goals scored this season.
Piątek’s impressive form at club level also earned him a
first cap for Poland in a friendly against Ireland. A few weeks later, in just
his second game for the
national team, Piątek scored his first goal for Poland
in a 3-2 loss to Portugal.
In hindsight, Piątek should have been part of Poland’s
World Cup squad. The Biało-czerwoni were abysmal during the tournament,
finishing last in a group containing Colombia, Japan, and Senegal – three teams
that they were expected to beat. Piątek’s presence would likely have changed
this outcome, especially since superstar striker Robert Lewandowski greatly
underperformed in all three games.
So, it should have come as no surprise when Milan signed Piątek
for €35 million. Yet, this signing did not receive the attention it deserved.
I had been of the belief that AC Milan were one of those
clubs who were one key piece away from being serious contenders, both
domestically and in Europe. Now, I genuinely feel that Milan have got their
man.
Even better for Milan is the fact that they will no
longer be fielding the overrated and ageing Gonzalo Higuaín up front, but the
23-year-old Piątek instead. This is not only a massive upgrade for Milan’s
future, but also an upgrade for the present. As of right now, Piątek is a
better centre-forward than “El Pipita”.
Although Piątek is still at
least two or three years away from his prime, the man from Lower Silesia has
already shown what a force he can be in front of goal, even when lacking
quality teammates. Now, with the likes of Ricardo Rodríguez, Lucas Paquetá,
Suso, Franck Kessié, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu around him, Piątek might just be able
to take his game to the next level.
Some of the greatest centre-forwards of all time have
plied their trade for AC Milan. Names such as Gunnar Nordahl, Marco van Basten,
Andriy Shevchenko, and Pippo Inzaghi have all shone in the famous red-and-black
jersey.
Now, Milan may just have brought in the “heir to the
throne”.
When the topic of who the best players in the world will
be in five years’ time is brought up, names such as Marco Asensio, Bernardo
Silva, Kylian Mbappé, Frenkie de Jong, Christian Pulisic, and Jadon Sancho are
frequently mentioned.
If Piątek can sustain his form at Genoa through the
second half of the season, he deserves to be in that conversation, for it would
prove that he is no flash in the pan.
This season, Piątek might not be able to display all he
is capable of for Milan. This is because they are already out of the Europa
League and are so far behind in Serie A that their only realistic target for
this season is qualification for next season’s Champions League.
But if AC Milan continue to surround their rising star
with solid pieces during the next off-season and if Piątek continues on his
current career trajectory, next season’s team could be their best since the
2012 squad that finished second in Serie A and made the Champions League
quarterfinals.
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