Croatian midfielder Mario Pasalic left Chelsea for AC Milan on loan during the summer transfer window. The 21-year-old struggled to make an appearance for the Serie A giants in the first couple of months, but has forced his way into Vincenzo Montella’s plans recently.
Pasalic also scored his first goal for AC Milan this weekend in a 2-1 win against Crotone, and Chelsea’s technical director Michael Emenalo was in the stands of San Siro to watch him, reports Gianluca di Marzio.
Pasalic hasn’t made a single appearance for Chelsea yet, but has gained some experience with reasonable loan moves to Elche and AS Monaco, before his current stint in Italy.
With another 18 months left on his contract at Chelsea after signing for them from Hajduk Split in 2014 in a €2.5m deal, Pasalic looks to have been a good investment. Chelsea could get more than their outlay, which has likely already been covered by loan fees, should they sell, but there’s a very real chance Pasalic is worthy of a real Chelsea future.
AC Milan don’t have the option to make his deal permanent, and Antonio Conte would be a big part of the decision process between now and the summer transfer window. Impressing in Serie A, a league which Conte of course knows so well, is a sure way to go for the player to be recalled to Stamford Bridge.
If Conte isn’t impressed, and the idea of a contract extension and further loan is discarded, then Chelsea can make themselves a transfer profit next summer.
