“Akinsanmiro has quality” – Juventus and Milan legend Pirlo points out one area Nigerian whizkid must improve

Sampdoria manager Andrea Pirlo is pleased with the quality of Ebenezer Akinsanmiro but the former AC Milan midfielder insists the Nigerian youngster has room for improvement, Soccernet.ng reports. 

After joining from Inter Milan on loan this summer, Akinsanmiro made his Sampdoria debut at the weekend in the club's 2-2 draw at Frosinone.

Akinsanmiro was on the pitch for 84 minutes pulling the strings from midfield with his deft touches, close control, and dribbling abilities catching the eyes.

By the time he was replaced by Guinea-Bissau-born Ronaldo Augusto Vieira, Akinsanmiro had completed an impressive 85% of his short passes, 100% of his long balls, and four of six dribble attempts.

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro vs Frosinone | Midfield Controller | The Future! https://t.co/WHAYbQsMNp pic.twitter.com/e5tUSMfj6V

— Home of Nigerian Football (@EaglesTrackerNG) August 19, 2024

The Remo Stars alumnus also won eight out of 13 duels, blocked one shot, and made three interceptions.

However, Akinsanmiro lost possession 11 times and Pirlo has noted that the young midfielder holds on to the ball much longer than is necessary.

“Akinsanmiro has quality, but sometimes
he likes to keep the ball too much and we need to file down this detail,” former Juventus ace Pirlo said, as per Inter News.

“If you keep the ball too much with structured players in Serie B, you cannot afford it”

Akinsanmiro will look to take the advice of Pirlo, one of the greatest deep-lying midfielders in history, on board as he navigates his way through the Italian Serie B.

Sampdoria will next play hosts to Reggiana at the Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris in Genova on Saturday, August 24.