Why Alessio Romagnoli Is the AC Milan Player to Make International Leap in 2016

Since joining AC Milan from Roma last summer, Alessio Romagnoli has lived up his billing. The 21-year-old was signed with an eye firmly fixed on the future but has been consummate in his debut campaign with the club.

In a team built for functionality rather than the spectacular, a lot of emphasis has been placed on the defensive structure. Yet, despite the expectation and pressure that comes with playing at centre-back for the Rossoneri, the youngster has thrived.

With the ongoing international break, Serie A has taken a back seat. But despite his form this season, Romagnoli wasn’t called up to Antonio Conte’s Italy side. Instead, he has remained with Luigi Di Biagio’s under-21s, the side he has represented since 2014.

However, it can only be a matter of time before he makes the step up from Azzurrini to Azzurri.

Italy’s fine defensive traditions are renowned. For decades, the country has been associated with the perfection of reactive football, as well as the production of elite central defenders. In this sense, Romagnoli is merely the latest in a long line that includes the elegant Gaetano Scirea and Franco Baresi, as well as the ruthlessly efficient Claudio Gentile and Fabio Cannavaro.

Romagnoli is well aware of this wonderful history. Upon joining Milan, he decided he would wear the No. 13 shirt, a jersey formerly worn by another Italian defensive icon, Alessandro Nesta. "I was the one who asked for this shirt, because Nesta was my idol," he explained to La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia).

Comparisons between the two have been made, and while it is still early days, they are not without merit. The budding defensive star shares his idol’s composure on the ball and refined technique; undoubtedly, he belongs to the more elegant side of the Italian defensive tradition.

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In terms of quality, the current crop of Azzurri centre-backs is a continuation on the past. Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli are three of the finest in the world in the position, while backups such as Francesco Acerbi, Davide Astori and Daniele Rugani are also of a high standard.

Considering this competition, it is no great shame that Romagnoli found himself excluded from Conte’s plans for Italy’s 1-1 draw against Spain on Thursday as well as the upcoming friendly with Germany. But while he remains uncapped at full international level, he remains a vital component in a highly exciting future.

At club level, he is already extremely important. Milan pursued him doggedly with the clear intention of making him a key member of their strategic core, which includes 17-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and 21-year-old forward M’Baye Niang.

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Romagnoli has grown into his role and appears willing to lead from the defensive line, telling MilanNews.it (h/t Football Italia): "I hope to become a symbol for Milan, as this is a huge club and I want to remain as long as possible."

On the basis of his increasing maturity and precocious physical and mental abilities, the defender is the best-placed of the Rossoneri’s excellent young generation to make the breakthrough to his country’s senior side.

And while it is extremely unlikely that he will play a part at this summer’s UEFA European Championships in France, there is a good chance he will be involved in Italy’s qualification campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

As things stand, he is probably Italy’s fourth-choice left-sided centre-back, behind Chiellini, Astori and Acerbi. However, Chiellini has had several spells out through injury this season while both Astori (29 years old) and Acerbi (28) have far less upside than Romagnoli.

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It’s interesting to note that, statistically speaking, the youngest of this quartet more than holds his own already.

Per Squawka.com, Romagnoli wins more aerial duels per game than Chiellini, Astori and Acerbi, while only the latter wins more tackles and makes more blocks than him.

With this in mind, it is by no means out of the question that, in the not-too-distant future, he can become not only a regular squad member for Italy but also—potentially—an integral part of their defence.