Liverpool midfielder has give his back to former AS Monaco teammate Tiemoue Bakayoko, who is on loan at AC Milan from Chelsea
As reported by Daily Mirror, Fabinho has backed former AS Monaco teammate Tiemoue Bakayoko to come good at AC Milan. The Liverpool midfielder also added that Chelsea could come to regret parting ways with the French international, who could join the Rossoneri on a permanent deal next summer.
Bakayoko arrived at Chelsea in the summer of 2017 following a spectacular campaign with AS Monaco in the 2016-17 season, when he played a key role in the principality club’s shock Ligue 1 triumph. However, upon moving to Stamford Bridge, the player struggled to perform at the same level last season.
Starting just 34 of the 59 games that Chelsea played last season, Bakayoko only managed to show glimpses of the quality that made him a highly sought-after player in the transfer market. But, with Jorginho joining the West Londoners this past summer, and Mateo Kovacic following soon after, the 24-year-old was soon deemed surplus to requirements.
With the Blues ready to part ways with Bakayoko, AC Milan came to the player’s rescue snapping him up on a season-long loan deal. The Serie A giants also have the option to buy him next summer, and one of his former teammates, Liverpool midfielder Fabinho believes Chelsea could come to regret selling Bakayoko, if they do.
The Liverpool summer signing said, “I don’t think he struggled that much [last season at Chelsea]. I watched a few games and he seemed always good to me. Obviously, in your first season in a new club it’s always difficult and I wasn’t expecting him to leave.”
“But AC Milan are getting a great player — I’m sure he’ll be able to prove how good he is and show what he did at Monaco. I’m sure if he comes back to England he will be stronger and will show everyone what he’s capable of.”
So far in his short stint with AC Milan, Bakayoko has failed to win over manager Gennaro Gattuso, who criticised the French midfielder following his disastrous cameo against Napoli. The appearance off the bench remains the only outing the Chelsea loanee has managed with the Serie A outfit.
Fabinho, on the other hand, is also struggling to adjust to life in England, having failed to feature in even one minute of footballing action for Liverpool. Bakayoko though, has been bestowed with a glowing endorsement from the Liverpool midfielder, who believes his former teammate will come good soon enough.
But, for now, Bakayoko faces an uphill task, not just to establish himself as a regular at AC Milan, but also win over Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri. The 24-year-old though, will look to push on following the words from the Liverpool midfielder.
