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From Chelsea outcast to top performance against AC Milan: The rise of Ola Aina in Serie A

From Chelsea outcast to top performance against AC Milan: The rise of Ola Aina in Serie A

  • Nikita Fesyukov
When Ola Aina joined Torino last summer from Chelsea on loan, it was difficult to find a person following Serie A who would know him. However, the Nigerian offensive fullback has surprised many with his performances, despite it being his first experience outside the British Isles and could well earn a permanent place in Turin.

Aina took advantage of his chance at the beginning of his loan spell, when Lorenzo De Silvestri got injured in the Serie A opener against Roma and the Chelsea loanee took his place.

Since then, Aina has started in 10 Serie A matches and featured in all matches but two (one due to injury) and has become one of the most important parts of Walter Mazzarri's team, showing his quality and versatility on both flanks of the five-man midfield in the former Napoli man's classical 3-5-2.

Yesterday, Aina started at the San Siro, in what was probably his biggest career match so far. The Nigerian started on the right and caused Ricardo Rodriguez great problems with his speed and technique. At the back, he was very solid and did not let Hakan Calhanoglu or the same Rodriguez do anything and most attacks went through the right side of the pitch.

The 22-year-old made three successful dribbles, won one aerial duel and made two tackles throughout the match against Milan and along with the goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu, he was arguably one of the top performers on the pitch for his team.

If Aina can continue with his consistently high-quality showings, it would be no surprise if he didn't return to the Stamford Bridge next summer and could also, perhaps, later make a move to a bigger team in Serie A.