MN: ‘Milanismo’ and a renewal – Gabbia’s golden spell sees him become a leader

Matteo Gabbia has perhaps been the surprise of 2024 so far for AC Milan, and a renewal is imminent to recognise his rise up the pecking order.

MilanNews writes how Gabbia has been ‘one of the sweetest notes’ of the start of the season. He has quietly managed to gain the trust of Paulo Fonseca and – thanks to the performances in the second part of last season too – he has become a fan favourite.

With the arrival of Strahinja Pavlovic it looked as though the Italian would have to fight hard for his spot again. Fast-forward to the present day, and it is not wrong to say that Gabbia is Milan’s strongest central defender, certainly the most reliable and consistent.

It is precisely for the aforementioned reasons that the club want to reward Gabbia with a contract renewal. Currently, the agreement between the player and the club ends in 2026, and there is the desire to extend that with a pay rise.

Discussions over a contract renewal have already been going on for a few months, demonstrating what was previously said about the value and growth of the player. He is also becoming a leader, setting standards with his dedication but above all professionalism.

The numbers confirm his importance. With Gabbia on the pitch from the first minute, across all competitions, Milan have won four games out of seven, conceding eight goals but collecting two clean sheets. The average of at least one goal conceded per game can be improved, but the impact is obvious.

Milan have often been criticised for its lack of ‘Milanismo’, i.e. players within the squad that feel a strong sense of attachment to the shirt. Davide Calabria and Gabbia are boyhood fans of the club and academy graduates, so they personify it.

While the captain isn’t playing much due to injuries and Emerson Royal’s arrival, Gabbia has not only put in consistent performances but has appeared in front of the media microphones, putting his face on the line in difficult moments.

In the dressing room there will certainly be stronger personalities than him, but Gabbia is respected as much as the various ‘senators’.