Background, strengths, weaknesses and tactical fit

The winter switch window ended up being a quiet one for AC Milan after an preliminary flurry, however one signing may go underneath the radar: Alphadjo Cissè.

The massive information regarding the first crew within the mid-season mercato was the signing of Niclas Füllkrug from West Ham United on mortgage with possibility to purchase, on the day the window opened. On deadline day, Jean-Philippe Mateta failed a medical and his anticipated €30m+ arrival from Crystal Palace collapsed.

Nonetheless, there was nonetheless motion on the ultimate day, as Milan have been capable of deposit the contract of Alphadjo Cissè, the younger expertise who’s enchanting Serie B. The operation was performed by Igli Tare, and although it will not be entrance web page information, he beat worldwide competitors to the signing.

By Cissè’s personal admission he thought he was going to PSV Eindhoven till Milan got here in late and turned his head. The Rossoneri pays Verona €8m as a set charge, plus €2m in bonuses tied to future aims, whereas {the teenager} will stay on mortgage at Catanzaro till June.

Again story

Alphadjo Cissè was born on 22 October 2006 in Treviso, a metropolis within the north-east of Italy. He joined the academy of Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica Giorgione in the identical province, enjoying there till he was 13 years of age.

By that time the massive membership in Veneto had taken be aware of his abilities, and so Cissè joined the youth academy of Serie A facet Hellas Verona. With the Gialloblu made his method up the assorted age teams from U14s as much as the Primavera.

It was with Verona Primavera that he actually established himself as a future star, racking up 22 targets and three assists in 67 video games, enjoying principally as an attacking midfielder however working throughout the ahead line.

Cissè made his senior for Verona’s first crew throughout a 3-1 win over Ascoli on 12 August 2023 within the Coppa Italia, nevertheless it took him till 26 Could 2024 to get his first style of Serie A motion, in opposition to Milan’s metropolis rivals Inter.

The choice was made to ship the promising expertise to Catanzaro in Serie B over the past summer time switch window. He appeared 22 occasions for the Calabrian facet within the league, racking up six targets and an help in what has undoubtedly been a really helpful expertise distant from dwelling.

Then, within the winter window, Milan swooped. The Rossoneri had reportedly been monitoring him for a number of years, they usually managed to signal him on a long-term deal. As a part of the settlement he was loaned again to Catanzaro, on a six-month deal till the tip of the marketing campaign. Sadly, he has simply suffered an damage, which can hold him out for as much as two months.

Cissè is eligible to signify Guinea internationally by means of his mother and father, however has chosen the Azzurri for now. He performed 4 occasions for Italy U16s after debuting in 2022, as soon as for the U18s (debuting in 2023), six occasions for the U19s scoring as soon as (debut 2023) and has now been referred to as as much as the U21s. His first sport for them got here in November 2025.

Strengths, weaknesses and tactical match

Cissé performed underneath Alberto Aquilani at Catanzaro in a 3-4-2-1 system. They us a heavy short-passing build-up and excessive territorial positioning, with 3.7 possessions received within the closing third per sport.

They’ve a excessive shot quantity, however defensively they’re usually uncovered in transition. So, Cissé operated in a proactive setup the place the emphasis was getting on the entrance foot.

📊 Taking pictures Profile

➤ xG: 2.67➤ xGOT: 4.63➤ Objectives: 6

That soar from xG → xGOT is the important thing: it exhibits that midfielder doesn’t simply take photographs, he picks the fitting moments in the fitting areas, and in the end executes.

What does that imply? Cissè has a robust placing approach, is comfy from vary, is assured taking pictures outdoors the field and is scientific relative to probability high quality He was Catanzaro’s high scorer.

📍 Position

Cissè has been enjoying because the left-sided attacking behind the striker. He hugs the left flank somewhat than staying centrally although, and drives inside to shoot. He has a Balanced output with passes roughly equal to profitable dribbles.

{The teenager} has 44 touches per sport which is across the midpoint when it comes to how a lot gamers get entangled. He’s extra vertical in motion, somewhat than being an orchestral playmaker, like his Catanzaro team-mate Mattia Liberali.

⚔ Bodily profile

Cissè ranks excessive for floor duels received, successful possession excessive as soon as per sport on common. He has extra tackles than interceptions which exhibits aggression within the duel somewhat than sitting off to occupy passing lanes. He isn’t but a space-controller defensively, however that can include Allegri.

🚫 Areas to Enhance

➤ Out-of-possession consciousness➤ Defensive scanning➤ Anticipation of passing lanes➤ Growing total involvement in build-up

Cissè presses and has realized that to some extent underneath Aquilani and beforehand with Verona, however he doesn’t dictate the defensive construction but. Allegri likes the forwards to be the primary line of defence, so we presume this facet can be labored on.

🔴 Tactical match at Milan

The roles that Cissè might play:

➤ Left-sided attacking midfielder➤ Superior 8➤  Rabiot-type vertical service position

The Treviso-born expertise just isn’t a tempo-setter with regards to attacking play, however somewhat he’s a momentum changer. There’s some overlap with Rafael Leao on this sense: a participant able to get the ball, spring into life and make issues occur with direct play.

Conclusion

For €10m, this can be a calculated upside guess. Cissè has the shot high quality, the verticality and above all of the bodily competitiveness that has allowed him to shine in a tough league like Serie B, the place many his age fall by the wayside.

His improvement curve is an thrilling one, and if Milan polish his out of possession sport, they could have secured a severe asset. Cissè is uncooked however harmful and has the potential to be part of the way forward for Italian soccer, in Serie A and at worldwide degree.