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Paolo Fonseca has been urged to bring the Nigerian-born youngster into the first team
AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca has hinted at turning to the club's youth academy as he seeks solutions to inconsistent performances and lacklustre attitudes within the senior squad.
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With midfield a problem area and some players underperforming, one name that has emerged as a potential game-changer is Kevin Zeroli, the 19-year-old midfield talent eligible to represent Nigeria through his maternal heritage.
Fonseca’s call for fresh energy from the academy
After a 2-1 Champions League victory over Red Star, Fonseca criticised certain senior players for not giving their all for the Rossoneri shirt.
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Without naming names, speculation has centred on some key squad members, including left-back Theo Hernandez, who has struggled to recapture his best form this season.
Fonseca’s openness to using academy players aligns with the current challenges in Milan’s central midfield.
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The team has struggled to find a natural replacement for starters like Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders and this gap allows Zeroli, an Italy U21 international with five senior appearances already under his belt, to stake his claim.
Super Eagles-eligible Zenoli eyes first team
Zeroli has been a standout performer for Milan’s academy and is seen as one of the club’s brightest young talents.
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He has also impressed on the international stage, playing 11 times for Italy’s U19 team and earning a call-up to the U21s.
Despite his commitment to Italy’s youth system, Zeroli remains eligible to switch allegiance to Nigeria, thanks to his mother’s Nigerian roots.
If given a chance to step up, Zeroli would follow in the footsteps of other Nigerian-descended players in Milan’s squad, such as Samuel Chukwueze, Fikayo Tomori, and Noah Okafor.
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His versatility, creativity, and work rate could provide much-needed solutions for Fonseca’s struggling midfield while adding to Milan’s proud tradition of nurturing young stars.
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