Chelsea centre-back Fikayo Tomori has been hailed as "one of the most promising prospects out there" by AC Milan legend Franco Baresi, who is widely considered one of the game's greatest-ever defenders.
Tomori joined the Blues at the Under-8 age group and rose through the academy ranks at Cobham before breaking into the senior side under Frank Lampard at the start of the 2019/20 campaign.
The 23-year-old, who had worked with Lampard during a loan spell at Championship side Derby County the previous season, quickly impressed in the Chelsea first team and signed a five-year contract with the club in December 2019.
However, rather strangely, Tomori dropped out of the starting XI the following month and only made seven appearances under Lampard during 2020.
"I was suddenly out of the squad and I don’t really know why,’ Tomori said in an interview with The Telegraph in February.
"I just thought I needed to work hard. Then I went to speak to the manager and he said you’ve just got to train harder, so I took that on the chin and thought that’s what I had to do.
"Mentally, it was difficult because you just want to be playing and on the pitch, and feel part of the team. And it was difficult for me because I wasn’t really feeling part of the team and I was wondering what had happened."
Understandably, Tomori decided to move away from Chelsea in January. He joined AC Milan on a six-month loan deal and the Serie A side have an option to make the move permanent in the summer for around £25million.
The England international has quickly impressed at San Siro. He has made eight appearances for Milan in all competitions and has only twice tasted defeat.
Tonight, he is likely to start in the centre of defence as the Italian giants take on Manchester United in the Europa League Round of 16.
And ahead of that game, Baresi – who made more than 700 appearances for Milan, won six Scudettos and three European Cups – spoke glowingly about the impact that Tomori has made in Italy since his January arrival.
"He is young and has played well so far when he's had the chance," the former defender, who also lifted the 1982 World Cup with Italy, told Sportsmail.
"He is skilful and has great physical attributes. He is still adapting to the Italian league and I think he can only grow as a defender and help us out.
"He needs to be focused on the present and on doing well with AC Milan. The club will decide his future with the player and with Chelsea at the end of the season.
"There is great competition in England, but he is definitely one of the most promising prospects out there. His experience with AC Milan can certainly help him develop as a player."
