Milan legend Demetrio Albertini has compared midfielder Sandro Tonali to former Juventus and Italy stalwart Antonio Conte.
Tonali, 22, has been integral to Milan’s march towards the title with a vital last-minute winner against Lazio as well as two goals in the recent 3-1 win over Verona to turn around a one-goal deficit.
And Albertini, who won five Serie A titles, the Champions League on three occasions and many more trophies at Milan, said Tonali is a similar player to the Tottenham Hotspur manager.
“He reminds me a lot of Antonio Conte,” Albertini told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “A midfielder who plays for the team and has top individual traits, he is box-to-box.”
Albertini also said Tonali would now be worth five times the initial €10 million loan fee Milan paid Brescia for his services in 2020.
“Right now, he is priceless,” Albertini added. “First of all because he isn’t on the market and also because the season isn’t over yet.
“If he wins the Scudetto, the situation could change and his value could even shoot above €50m.”
Milan last won the title in 2011 and, despite only needing a win and a draw from their final two matches to guarantee they end the campaign as Serie A champions, Albertini only rates their chances of pipping rivals Inter at 60%.
“Before the match [against Verona] I felt Milan had a little over a 50% of finishing first,” Albertini said. “Now I think we are at a good 60%.
“It will be tough against Atalanta but I see a squad that is ready and aware – and with a lot of quality. Whoever says Milan are the best of worst make me laugh because it isn’t like that.”