Vitiello: Milan could attempt Gabbia-style Athekame recall in January – the situation

When Matteo Gabbia was recalled from Villarreal, few thought it would go how it did. Now, AC Milan could try it again.

After an OK six months in Spain, Milan opted to recall Gabbia to help with their defensive crisis. The Italian was expected to be another body, but he instead became an almost immovable part of the back line.

A few years on from that decision, it seems that it could be repeated, again in the defence, but there’s not necessarily a crisis per se.

Is Athekame the new Gabbia?

Now, Antonio Vitiello suggested that the same could take place with Zachary Athekame in an editorial for MilanNews. The Swiss has been electric in Ligue 1 so far this season, and with the Rossoneri shifting to a back four, he could establish himself as the starter.

“In the past few hours, we’ve seen yet another assist from Athekame during Lyon’s last match. The Swiss full-back is performing exceptionally well, has had top performances in France, and is having a wonderful experience.

“Remember, the transfer is on loan, so Lyon has no option to keep the player at the end of the season. But what if Milan were to bring him in in January?

“Remember when the same thing happened with Gabbia at Villarreal? The management terminated the loan after six months. It’s an idea that might be of interest in the coming weeks.”

There would be few, if any, complaints about his return considering his meteoric rise in France so far. It’s already been a successful loan, with the Diavolo seeing what they’d hoped to already.