One of AC Milan’s many “regrets” is Lucas Paqueta, a midfielder who is currently a star for both West Ham United and the Brazilian national team in the Premier League.
Legendary manager Arrigo Sacchi, a two-time winner of the European Cup, claims that his former employers allowed a number of really skilled football players to get past the Rossoneri defense.
For example, Brahim Diaz scored a spectacular goal for Real Madrid against RB Leipzig in the Champions League last week. Charles de Ketelaere has ten goals for Atalanta already, but he has not scored a goal for AC Milan.
Meanwhile, Hakan Calhanoglu, wearing the blue-and-black of Inter, has transcended the Milan split to become the greatest string-puller in Serie A.
Paqueta Lucas
Rob Newell/CameraSport photo via Getty Images
The West Ham player only spent a year with AC Milan.
Sacchi also includes Lucas Paqueta, who was so important at West Ham that Manchester City was enticed to make an £80 million offer last summer, and Franck Kessie, whose contract also expired before he moved to Barcelona (Sky Sports).
“Brahim Diaz’s incredible performance wearing the Real Madrid shirt in the Champions League, De Ketelaere’s ongoing development at Atalanta, and Calhanoglu’s growing influence at league leaders Inter… Gazzetta dello Sport is told by Sacchi, who led Milan to the Scudetto in 1988 as well.
Without a doubt, Milan has three reasons to regret this.
“We could also add Kessie, who just won the African Cup of Nations (with the Ivory Coast), to these if that would be desired. And Paqueta, who is a permanent member of Brazil’s team.
With Lucas Paqueta back in the saddle
Similar to De Ketelaere, Paqueta only played at the San Siro for one season before being sent to Lyon in 2020 for a pittance of £17 million. When the 42-time Brazil international moved across the Channel two years later, the Ligue 1 team more than doubled their investment, paying over £50 million.
Paqueta has contributed five goals and six assists so far this season, so West Ham, who has lost its previous two games against Manchester United and Arsenal by an aggregate score of 9-0, is eager for him to get back to full strength.
He is back in training ahead of this weekend’s trip to Nottingham Forest, according to The Standard.
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