It would be fair to say that Dani Ceballos did not have the best of times with Arsenal.
The midfielder spent two seasons on-loan from Spanish giants Real Madrid, eventually playing 77 games and scoring just two goals.
Those numbers do not tell the full story though as the 24-year-old Spaniard was restricted to just 48 starts for Arsenal over the two campaigns, failing to become an established starter before returning to his homeland this summer.
Now, Ceballos’ former manager Pepe Mel has weighed in on the player’s struggles in England, suggesting that he did not suit the pace and physicality of the Premier League and that he would thrive far more in Serie A.
The former West Bromwich Albion man said: “The Premier League has very high rhythms for him. Dani would work better at Calcio, where quality is ahead. And he has plenty: he would be perfect for Milan.”
Despite the midfielder’s obvious failings in the Premier League under compatriots Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta, Mel is still aware of his useful qualities - even comparing Ceballos to a couple of Italian icons.
“What I am going to say must be taken with care, but he is a mix between Pirlo and Gattuso,” he continued. “With me, he played midfielder, but it can also be a 10. He is one of those who leaves his soul: if they don’t give him the ball, he is going to look for it.”
Following his two years with Arsenal, Ceballos is now set to return to Real Madrid ahead of the 2021/22 La Liga season.
He has two years remaining on his current contract at the Santiago Bernabeu but appears unlikely to have a future with the Spanish giants.
Club president Florentino Perez has already suggested that he could leave on yet another loan deal.
He said: “We have 35 players and can only register 25…Ceballos, Kubo, Odegaard, we can’t fit them all.
“We’re talking with players and their agents. We have a lot of young players, if they can’t develop here they can go on loan and come back.”
