Who is Hachim Mastour and is he ready for first-team football?

Hachim Mastour Player Profile:
Date of Birth: June 15, 1998 (15 years old)
Place of Birth: Reggio Emilia, Italy
Nationality: Italy
Height: 175cm
Weight: 63kg
Position(s): FWD, CAM
Squad Number: 98

Hachim Mastour is an Italian-Moroccan player, who was called up to the first team May 13, 2014   but did not get into Milan's final match of the season v Sassuolo despite speculation that he would become the youngest player ever to play for Milan at age 15, surpassing the great Paolo Maldini who debuted at age 16.

Milan acquired Mastour back in the summer of 2012 at the age of 14 for €500,000. According to Goal.com, Inter, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and Manchester City were among the clubs Milan had to battle to obtain the wonder kid prodigy. Shockingly, Milan beat out many elite clubs to get Mastour in their system which is exciting for Milan fans everywhere.

Less than two years since arriving to Milan, Mastour was called up to the first team in a move that shocked everyone as he is still a very raw talent. His skill and ability is off the charts and his potential is sky high but is Hachim Mastour ready to play first tier, top flight football in Italy for Milan? Let's break it down.

Mastour, aged 15, can play as an attacking midfielder or a winger, two positions Milan have a handful of. Mastour would have to battle El Shaarawy, Kaka, Honda, Robinho, Saponara, Cristante and Taarabt, if he stays, in order to get minutes for Milan. Being as he is an extremely raw talent who hasn't played more than two matches with Inzaghi's Primavera side (U-20), its hard to imagine he would make an immediate impact for Milan regardless of who manages the club next season. Sure, we have all seen the Youtube clips of his brilliance with the ball at his feet, his pitch awareness to attack and juggling drills with Neymar. However, he is making a drastic leap from Allievi Nazionali (U-16) to top-flight European football and at a time where Milan is no longer the powerhouse side they once were.

The bottom line is that while Hachim Mastour has incredible ability, will sell tickets and can generate excitement for Milan fans, he should not be playing for the first team next season. Mastour needs at least one, maybe two full seasons with the Primavera before being called up. This is El Shaarawy, Cristante and Saponara's time. Mastour will get his chance with Milan sooner rather than later but let's not push this kid too soon. He is very important to the future of Milan and he shouldn't be rushed. Hachim Mastour, we are very excited to have you at Milan and we look forward to having you be a huge star for the Rossoneri for years to come. Forza Hachi!


References:
Goal.com

Io Sto Con Seedorf

"Io Sto Con Seedorf" has been the battle cry for many Milan fans across Twitter thanks in large part to AC Milan Club NY/NJ (@ACMilanNYC) , who have not been afraid to speak out about how Seedorf has been treated by Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani. Seedorf, a former Milan legend, replaced Massimiliano Allegri this past January as manager of Milan. Finally, the Milan fans were granted their wish. A new manager with a fresh start and mind. What we didn't wish for would come just a few months after he took over.

Clarence Seedorf's job is in question when, if you ask 99% of Milanisti,  it shouldn't be given the little time he has spent with the club. Clarence, once favorited by Silvio and company, has been betrayed by the club he has given so much to, particularly when he announced his retirement from his playing career to aid a Milan team in need. Seedorf has managed just over 20 matches in all competitions for Milan and out of those matches, he has a win percentage around .500. For a first time manager and one who hasn't even been a manager for 6 months, I'd say that's impressive. 10 wins, 2 draws, 6 losses in Serie A apparently isn't good enough for the first time manager of a club who has invested virtually no money into a renovation of the squad.

We all know and are aware of the treatment our beloved manager is receiving from management. Many of us have documented our support for Clarence as the right man moving forward but as loyal fans, we can only do so much. We will continue to protest against this harsh treatment and we will continue to rally around Seedorf because he deserves a fair chance to be a success with the team he loves deeply. This is a call to action. A call to all Milan fans and calcio supporters, who feel this lack of respect to a world class gentleman is wrong, to be heard. Our club can't and won't return to European elite status with a management who has no direction for the club. This isn't acceptable and you can count on us being heard.

     "IO STO CON SEEDORF"