At just 17, he has already shown immense personality. He debuted in Serie A with Genoa, starting against Juventus.
Honest Ahanor`s future couldn`t wait. His performance on Sunday clearly showed he isn`t one to hold back: he debuted in Serie A before turning 17, then in the Champions League with Atalanta against PSG, and in Turin, he played for an hour, proving he`s far more than just an emergency solution. His bold personality, combined with significant physical and technical attributes and an impressive ability to contribute in both defensive and offensive phases, has been evident to those who`ve watched him train at Zingonia since July.
Twenty Million
Consistent performances are now crucial, and Ahanor is fully aware of this, as seen in his assertive play, constantly demanding the ball and pushing forward. Atalanta made a substantial investment of 16 million euros, plus 4 million in bonuses, for the 17-year-old, viewing it as a strategic long-term move and anticipating a significant increase in his market value.
Emergency
Coach Juric, who sees parallels between Ahanor and Destiny Udogie (whom he launched at Verona at 17), faces a clear defensive crisis. Therefore, relying on Ahanor to start Saturday`s match at the Stadium might not just be an option but a necessity. The alternative, given the game`s importance, would be to move the experienced De Roon into the defensive line.
In Destiny
It was Gilardino who first recognized Ahanor`s courage and maturity, giving him his Serie A debut as a starter against Juventus on September 28th, a year ago. Now, almost exactly one year later, on September 27th, Ahanor is set to face the same opponent with Atalanta. While he played as a winger then, Juric has been developing his versatility since July, training him for a role as a third central defender. This past Sunday, the coach became convinced that nothing is too soon for this talented young player, not even starting against Juventus again, a year later.
