GdS: Rise, opportunity and Real Madrid clause – Milan hope to have found ‘the new Theo’ | OneFootball

One game is not enough to constitute definitive proof, but it seems as though Alex Jimenez did enough against Genoa to earn himself another chance.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport recall, on Sunday night Jimenez showed that he was capable of playing a leading role in the senior team, and in his first Serie A start. On a dark and grey night marred by protests at full-time, he managed to scoop the plaudits of many.

Those who see him every day in training assure that he is well above the level of the third tier, which is of course the level Milan Futuro play at. In his debut for the season in the Coppa Italia Serie C against Lecco he scored twice, then in November he scored two goals after runs like Theo Hernandez.

Those who know him have compared him to Theo since he arrived at Milanello. His technique, physical strength and a propensity for assists and goals mean that in many ways it is natural. Another important point: can seem a bit cocky at times, backing their own ability.

One remains the holder of the starting spot, the other an assistant who looks at him and tries to absorb like a sponge. Theo took him under his wing in the locker room, because he speaks Spanish, he has a past at Real Madrid and they play the same role.

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They often talk and the Frenchman gives him precious advice, and now is the time to let him fly. Stefano Pioli used Jimenez a few times last season, also on the right side which shows his adaptability, given he is naturally right-footed. Fonseca though seems to prefer him on the left.

In the summer he chose to stay at Milan, also convinced by the words of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who in the press conference to present the season had guaranteed that he would be the deputy to Theo, something Fonseca initially did not agree to.

Milan bought him from Real Madrid in July for around €5m after a season on loan, but Los Blancos maintain a buy-back that can be exercised in 2025 or 2026 (for a higher figure). They are monitoring his development naturally, aware of having let Theo go.

There have also been enquires both from Italian and Spanish clubs about taking the 19-year-old on loan in January, and in the meantime Alex is warming up for another start against Verona.