Ausilio follows him from Atalanta-Corriere.it

really too early to figure out if Frank Kessie will be able to imitate his former partner, as well as friend, Calhanoglu, who moved from Milan to Inter becoming the idol of his new fans. The Ivorian, flown in the summer at Barcelona
Piero likes it a lot Help: the Nerazzurri sporting director has been following him for a lifetime, since the days ofAtalanta. And in January the Blaugrana had knocked on Inter’s door proposing an exchange that would have brought the 26-year-old from Simone Inzaghi in exchange for Brozovic
. An idea that remained so, despite the work of the various intermediaries. The conditions were all there, from the esteem for the player to the similarity of the two salaries, but around Milan – despite unexpected events and injuries this season – the Croatian still enjoys trust and gratitude. In the summer, however, there could be the second round, regardless of Brozovic’s fate: the president of La Liga Javier Tebas, in fact, he reminded Bara that in the next market session he will necessarily have to lower the wage bill. And not a little if they want to register new players or renew their stars. Kessie, having reached zero, would represent a net profit (as well as an important salary less) and, therefore, a tempting opportunity.

Kessie: the difficulties at Barcelona

From the numerous entourage of the Ivorian midfielder they assure: he never thought of leaving Barcelona, ​​despite the very little employment. For Xavi it ​​had to be the new one Yaya Toursthat is, that player capable of intercepting balls (in his years in Italy only DeRoon he had known how to do better) and to restart ball and chain towards the opposing area. But things turned out decidedly differently, with Kessie being the fifth least employed player in the entire squad in December (under him only Iaki Pea, Pablo Torres, Depay and Bellerin), almost a shock for those who both at Atalanta and at Milan had collected an average of 2000 minutes per season. In between also an injury (he who had seemed indestructible in Serie A) which kept him out for a month and a half. On 29 October here is an image that creates a certain embarrassment: Barcelona on stage on the Valencia field, at a certain point the cameras stop on the bench behind Xavi. In addition to Franck there are Ferran Torres, Raphinha, Marcos Alono, Pablo Torre and Bellerin, or six signings of the new president Laporta: Bankruptcy market, the comment of several fans.

Kessie, good start to 2023

For Kessie for 2023 started in a different light. First he made the best use of the opportunity in the Copa del Rey against Ceuta (one goal and two assists), then was fundamental in the victory last February 5 with the Sevillereplacing the injured person Busquets and providing a splendid assist for Jordi Alba’s 1-0 just when the Andalusian block seemed difficult to outwit. An elegant dance in the strait that demonstrated how he is a player of quality and not just of quantity. In the last round of the championship with the Villarreal Xavi confirmed it in place of Busquets, who could be out for at least 15-20 days.
It was his third start in La Liga, he hadn’t started in the league for four months. So it could start for him a new life at the Bara, also favored by Xavi’s new tactical ideas who, having gone from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1, intend to move him closer to the striker, moving Pedri back alongside De Jong in the build-up phase. Barcelona is flying (+11 over Real) and the use of 4 midfielders could give them a few more chances. What is certain is that, every time he takes the field, Ausilio’s watchful eyes will be on him. so since the days of Atalanta, who knows that soon he won’t be able to wear the nerazzurri again.