A week after Leeds reportedly showed interest, Serie A leaders AC Milan have made contact about loaning defender Fikayo Tomori.
Manager Frank Lampard all but confirmed Tomori will be going somewhere on loan after Chelsea’s FA Cup win against Morecambe: “The situation with Fikayo is open at the moment.
“There’s a possibility that he could be going on loan to get games somewhere else but that has to be the right solution for him and the club.
“He was part of my thinking to start today but we’re looking at that. His attitude has been fantastic in terms of training every day and how he is because it’s not easy when we have five centre-backs at the club.”
Milan’s Situation
Milan have been looking for a central defender to add depth to their impressive line.
Strasbourg defender Mohamed Simakan had drawn heavy interest from AC Milan – along with RB Leipzig. However, Simakan suffered a knee injury in the week, ruling him out for around two months.
Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that this has only increased Milan’s interest in Tomori.
AC Milan are in talks with Chelsea for Fikayo Tomori as announced yesterday. He’s a serious option as Mohamed Simakan is now injuried. Also EPL clubs have asked for Tomori on loan. 🔵 #cfc #acmilan https://t.co/4FDzDY7uh3
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 12, 2021
Leeds and the Championship clubs Romano alludes to might be put off by Tomori’s appearance in the 4-0 win.
The 10 minutes played against Morecambe have left him cup-tied. Meaning should he be loaned to another English club, he will not be allowed to play in FA Cup matches.
How Tomori Would Fit In At Milan
AC Milan currently lead Serie A by three points over city rivals Inter Milan after 17 matches. Milan’s defence is one of the best in the league, with their 19 goals conceded only bettered by Juventus, Napoli and Hellas Verona, all with 16 each.
The injury to Simakan makes the Milan move seem more likely. Lampard’s “not easy when we have five centre-backs at the club” comment, leads one to think Milan is a good option.
With potential Chelsea target Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal and regular fullbacks Theo Hernández and Davide Calabria, Tomori would be competing with Alessio Romagnoli, Simon Kjær and Matteo Gabbia for a spot in the centre of defence.
This should see him as the third choice centre back, rather than the fifth choice he is at Chelsea