How Chelsea’s Fikayo Tomori will benefit from Milan move

Emmet Gates

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori has completed a loan move to Serie A giants Milan.

England international defender Tomori has struggled for game time at Stamford Bridge, and it’s hoped a move to Milan could see the 23-year-old receive more opportunities than he has been given under Frank Lampard.

But is a move to Milan the correct one for Tomori?

Milan under Stefano Pioli

To say Milan have improved since Stefano Pioli arrived at the club at the tail-end of 2019 would be a massive understatement.

Pioli has galvanised an underperforming side and has taken them to the top of the Serie A table (of course having a player with the experience and quality of Zlatan Ibrahimovic doesn’t half help).

Pioli has given the side a structure and purpose that was lacking under Marco Giampaolo, and he’s also given youth a chance.

This is evident in the likes of Brahim Diaz, Jens Petter Hauge, Pierre Kalulu and Matteo Gabbia all getting plenty of game time this season.

Furthermore, Pioli has also thrown on Daniel Maldini, son of the legendary Paolo, into the mix during Serie A games. Pioli has clearly demonstrated that he isn’t afraid to rely on younger players.

This bodes well for Tomori.

Furthermore, Milan have been in the market for a defender since the transfer window shut in the first week of October.

Alessio Romagnoli and Simon Kjaer are first-team starters, but both have been absent for periods of the season due to their respective injuries.

Additionally, Gabbia hasn’t impressed when thrust into the Rossoneri spotlight, and has been error-prone. Kalulu has also played at centre-back, but the young Frenchman is playing out of position, as he’s more of a right-back.

Does Tomori’s move make sense?

With Milan in three competitions still at this stage, Tomori will receive more game time than he’s currently getting at Stamford Bridge.

Previously, it only looked like the 23-year-old would get a run out in the FA Cup.

Pioli has shown that he’s not afraid to give youth a chance, and with Milan resuming action in the Europa League in a month’s time, Tomori can expect ample chances to play, both in Europe and in Serie A.

It’s a move that could prove to be highly beneficial for the Englishman, both in the short and longer term.