Giacomo Bonaventura Is Set to Become Milan's Next Big Star

The 2014/15 Serie A season was already underway but Milan still had business to conclude. With Jonathan Biabiany’s move from Parma collapsing as Cristian Zaccardo refused to move in the opposite direction, the Rossoneri were left searching for alternatives. It was only then that they decided to sign Giacomo Bonaventura.

Bonaventura arrived at the San Siro from Atalanta for a fee of €7 million plus bonuses with the 2014 summer transfer window in its dying embers. As he put pen to paper on the contract, he shed a tear. His Milan story was off to an entertaining start.

With full international recognition by way of a solitary Italy cap won in 2013, Bonaventura hardly joined Milan as an unknown quantity. However, at 25 years old, nor was he a youthful prospect, or a glamour signature.

A diligent and nimble midfield schemer, he nonetheless showed no overt signs of difficulty settling at his new club, in spite of the greater expectations and high pressure environment, which, when coupled with the poor results Milan experienced last season, could easily have made a new signing shirk. 

Instead, he quietly got on with his job. Playing in multiple positions in a variety of formations, Bonaventura hinted at great things. Although not the flashiest of players, he displayed remarkable consistency. Indeed, per WhoScored.com’s average ratings, he was Milan's joint third-best Serie A performer last season.

During coach Filippo Inzaghi’s torrid one and only season in charge of the club, Milan chopped and changed systems on a regular basis. Bonaventura showed his versatility amid the constant alterations, filling in where needed in midfield, on the wings or behind the strikers. 

Over the course of the campaign, he showed the traits required of a high-level trequartista. With sound technique and excellent ball control, he worked well in tight spaces, showed effective distribution and a certain amount of creative capacity.

With new Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic advocating a 4-3-1-2 formation both during his time at Sampdoria and during this summer’s pre-season with his new club, there is now a genuine opportunity for Bonaventura to showcase his skill set as a trequartista on a frequent basis. He could be the perfect "1" in Milan’s new system. 

To obtain that role, he will face competition. There are several others within the current Milan squad who could viably undertake the position, including Keisuke Honda, Jeremy Menez, Suso and new signing Andrea Bertolacci. Realistically, though, Bonaventura’s most obvious opposition will come from Honda. 

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Like Bonaventura, Honda spent much of last season out of position, playing on the right wing. The Japanese playmaker showed glimpses of class, but he undoubtedly would have enjoyed playing a more central role. Again, that is now a possibility given Mihajlovic’s tactical preferences. 

While Honda, certainly on a global level, is a bigger name, Bonaventura is a more suitable current and long-term choice to fulfil Milan’s trequartista role. Not only does the Italian possess greater potential being that he is four years younger, but his statistics are also favourable. 

Per 90 minutes last season in Serie A, Bonaventura made far more passes than Honda yet still earned a higher pass success percentage. In terms of key passes, chances created and assists, the two were fairly even. While Honda had the slight edge in each of these categories, it’s worth noting that he generally played in a more advanced area of the field and played less minutes.

One comparison that does favour Honda is his shooting accuracy. Although their goalscoring records were almost equal, Bonaventura had far more shots and had a much poorer accuracy rating. Honda, at least at this point in their respective careers, is clearly the better finisher. 

However, playing behind two strikers, the main responsibility of Milan’s chosen trequartista will be to supply rather than to finish. Considering the efficacy of Bonaventura’s passing, he could be ideal as the creative link between Mihajlovic’s three-man midfield and a two-pronged strike force that will likely include ruthless Colombian hitman, Carlos Bacca.

Bonaventura enjoyed a solid debut season in Milan colours and with statistical evidence and tactical reasoning, there is enough to suggest that he is ready to step up another level. As Milan aim to launch themselves back into the upper echelons of Serie A, Bonaventura looks set to transcend his underappreciated utility man status and play a major part in his team's rejuvenation.

All statistics were provided by Squawka unless otherwise stated.