By Ewah Chika.
Gianluigi Donnarumma does not only share the same first name with Italy and Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon who at 38 still remains Italy's No.1 and one of the best in the game.
The youngster is still 17 but already AC.Milan's No.1 displacing veterans like Diego Lopez and Christian Abbiati to become the indispensable goalkeeper for the club last season. Donnarumma
represents the future for Vincenzo Montella's team having made a staggering 30 league appearances for the team last season as they were beaten in the Coppa Italia final by Juventus.
Making his debut in the October 25 Seria A game against Sassuolo, the youngster has not looked back since then and is even hailed as Buffon's apparent heir in the national team . Although the youngster showed glimpses of his quality during last season's pre-season against Real Madrid after punching Toni Kroos' shot in the fifth round of a shootout , it was not until the end of the game against Sassuolo that it became clear the then 16-year-old was already a star despite his tender age. Last season, the youngster kept 10 clean sheets in his 30 Seria A games, making an impressive average save of 2.33 and average punches of 47%. In total Donnarumma made 70 saves with a near perfect claim success of 99% making him the best goalkeeper in set-pieces in the Seria A last season. It is an impressive attribute and one to be applauded considering he was signed for a mere €250,000 in 2013 aged 14 from Castellammare Di Stabia.
Considering his last season's form, the youngster is only already ranked so high that he is slightly rated behind the likes of Manuel Nuer, Thibaut Courtois, David de Gea and Gianluigi Buffon which is impressive especially when one considers the inconsistency and average quality of AC. Milan last season. It is still too early to predict how the youngster's career will span out but it is clear that the Milan's No.1 has all the attributes of the world's greatest considering the talent at his young age. With a height of 6 ft 5 in, Donnarumma is one that is naturally blessed and difficult to beat with high balls. Also to be noted , one man that should be praised for the youngster's progress is no one else by former coach Serbian coach Sinisa Mihajlovic who not only made a brave call promoting him to Milan's first team last season but also gave him his debut after Diego Lopez's loss of form In October.
"Few people have this kind of quality at 16. The Lord looked down on Donnarumma and said, 'You need to be a goalkeeper ," were the words of his veteran colleague Christian Abiatti after the youngster's debut game. Donnarumma is one with a large frame and strength which belies his tender years. He also appears unfazed by the publicity surrounding him coupled with his natural leadership quality that enables him to instil confidence in his defenders.
Donnarumma must be retained by Milan if their quest to return to the top is to be taken serious as the youngster will soon have clubs all over him in a bid to sign him. Donnarumma appears one of the best in present tender age but he should he continue to develop at this rate then the sky is surely his stepping stone.
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