Stefano Pioli heaps the praise Manchester United loanee Diogo Dalot
According to Milan News, AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli has revealed the good impression he has of Manchester United loanee Diogo Dalot.
The Portuguese full-back who turned 22 on Thursday is currently on a season-long loan at the Italian capital. He has so far made 24 appearances, scoring two goals and assists apiece. (h/t Transfermarkt)
The player’s loan has no provision for Milan to make the deal permanent. As the season runs down, speculation over his future continues to grow.
While Dalot has been impressive of late, he has failed to produce consistent performances for the Rossoneri. Despite this inconsistency, Pioli believes any manager would love to have Dalot in his squad.
He believes Dalot is comparable to Theo Hernandez and has shown growth during his spell at Milan. Capable of performing at both ends of the pitch, Pioli believes Dalot will evolve into a complete player.
“He has also grown in the defensive phase, he will become a complete player.”
A manager’s dream
Pioli further went on to add how managers value assets such as Dalot who are considered flexible. The 22-year-old isn’t just capable of playing both offensively and defensively but also on either flank.
“Us managers really like to have flexible players, then at a certain moment it would be useful to give him a definitive position to make him more aware of the situations on the pitch.”
While his performances may not have been the most eye catching, it must be said that Dalot has mad what he could of the opportunity. His stock has clearly risen and Pioli for one seems satisfied. Hopefully he can now use that as a stepping stone for bigger and better things.
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Dalot’s performances have also left an impression on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Speaking to the press recently, he admitted that the player is set to return to Old Trafford at the end of the season.
Whether he will be given another opportunity at the Theatre of Dreams remains to be seen.