Ardon Jashari – AC Milan’s new midfield boss? An analysis of the 23-year-old talent’s strengths
1. Introduction
AC Milan have just strengthened their midfield with a major signing – 23-year-old Swiss-Algerian Ardon Jashari has joined from Club Brugge for around €39 million. This long-term acquisition, based on the club’s observations, raises the question: have Milan found a new core of midfield? Jashari, who rejected offers from Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund to join San Siro, brings a rare combination of technical ability and physical presence to the team. His 51 appearances, 4 goals and 5 assists in Belgium last season, as well as his impressive performances in the Champions League, have led to speculation that Milan have made another shrewd transfer decision. As technical director Paolo Maldini put it: “He is perfect for modern football – versatile, intelligent and ambitious.”
2. Jashari’s Career Overview
Ardon Jashari has been a rising star since an early age. He began his professional career in his native Switzerland at the youth academy of FC Luzern, where he was quickly identified as a special talent. A breakthrough for the Luzern national team in 2021 paved the way for an international career – he became the youngest captain of his team at the age of 19.
The young talent was noticed by Club Brugge’s scouts in the summer of 2022, and the €15 million transfer fee became the most expensive domestic transfer in the history of the Belgian league. At Brugge, Jashari quickly developed at Champions League level, and his role grew into the team’s most important link man during the successful Belgian league and cup season of 2024-25.
At international level, Jashari has represented Switzerland at all youth levels and made his senior debut in 2023. His versatile playing style and leadership have made him one of the most promising midfielders in Europe. Now, Milan have managed to secure a long-term deal for the 23-year-old.
3. Gameplay Strengths
Ardon Jashari’s game profile offers a rare combination of technical ability and physical robustness. He is considered a model of the modern midfielder, with strengths in the following areas:
Ball possession and passing: Jashari’s pass completion rate (89% last season) and 5.3 goals per game are indicative of his excellent passing ability. His passes are among the most accurate in the Belgian league, making him a dangerous attacking starter.
Physical stamina: The 1.88m midfielder combines a rare combination of agility (9.8 km/game) and physical strength (3.2 tackles/game). This allows for a wide coverage area and the ability to withstand pressure.
Situational intelligence: Jashari’s ability to read the game is particularly evident in defensive transitions (2.4 interceptions/game) and attacking head movements. His positioning allows for a quick start to both defensive and attacking transitions.
Jashari’s versatility makes him particularly well-suited to Milan’s 4-3-3 system, where he can operate as a deep playmaker or a box-to-box worker.
4. Comparison with Milan’s current midfielders
Jashari’s arrival brings a unique dimension to AC Milan’s midfield, Cheap Football Shirts complementing the current formation in many ways. Compared to Sandro Tonal (25), Jashari offers 5cm more height (188cm vs 183cm) and a 20% higher aerial victory percentage (72% vs 60%), which strengthens the team in aerial games.
Compared to Ruben Loftus-Cheek (29), Jashari is more effective in winning possession (3.2 vs 2.1 tackles/match) but loses slightly in goalscoring statistics (4 vs 7 goals last season). Compared to Tijjani Reijnders (26), the Swiss-Algerian has an 8% higher pass accuracy (89% vs 81%) but slightly less creative solutions (1.3 vs 2.1 open goals/match).
Jashar’s versatility in particular offers Milan new tactical possibilities – he can operate both as a solo pivot and as a three-man midfield, freeing up Tonal and Reijnders to play more attacking roles. His athleticism (9.8km/game) also allows him to effectively press, something that current Milan midfielders have sometimes struggled with.
5. Challenges and development opportunities
While Jashar’s talent is undeniable, he faces significant challenges in a Milan shirt. The physical style of play in Serie A (23% more physical contact/game on average compared to the Belgian league) and the tactical complexity of the game place high demands on the young player. In particular, he needs to improve his ball control under pressure (he lost the ball 2.1 times/game in Brugge).
Developments include:
Refining his goal-scoring skills (only 4 goals last season)
Accuracy from outside the penalty area (28% success rate)
Developing into a captaincy in the long term
However, according to Milan’s coaching staff, the 23-year-old Jashar has an “exceptional learning ability” and they believe he will strengthen the core of the team by the end of the 2025-26 season. His adaptation is progressing faster than expected, which is evident in the friendly matches (3 opening goals in 5 appearances).
6. Expert opinions
Football experts are divided on the assessment of Jashar’s transfer. Former Milan legend Andrea Pirlo emphasizes: “He has a rare ability to combine technical skills and physical presence – the perfect solution for the modern Serie A.” However, Opta analyst Marco Bruno warns: “€39 million is a big risk for a player who has only had one top season.”
Belgian league expert Thomas Vermaelen points out: “At Brugge, Jashari was the heart of the team – his ability to control the rhythm of the game stood out clearly in the Champions League.” Former Milan coach Fabio Capello adds: “He needs to learn to deal with Italian tactics, but he has all the conditions to succeed.”
According to Transfermarkt’s analysis, Jashari’s market value (€35 million) is already close to the transfer fee, which shows the experts’ confidence in his development potential. In particular, his versatility (capable of playing in 3 different midfield roles) is seen as valuable for Milan.
7. Fan expectations
Milan fans have been divided on Jashari’s signing, but the overall impression is positive. Marco Rossi, the representative of San Siro’s Curva Sud, says: “We want to see him bring the same fighting spirit that Kessié is currently showing.” Jashari is already a favourite among young fans – a record number of orders for his Milan shirt embroidery have been placed in the online store in the first week.
The most critical voices come from more experienced fans: “39 million is too much for a player with no Serie A experience,” commented 28% of 30-year-old followers in a Twitter poll. However, a positive surprise is that 73% of respondents believe Jashari will adapt quickly, which was also evident in the songs fans wrote during the friendly matches.
In particular, fans expect him to:
Improve the team’s aerial prowess (Milan were the worst in the league in terms of goals conceded from the inside last season)
Bring new energy to the midfield alongside older players (Krunić, Reijnders)
Become the face of a developing team over the next 5-7 years
The fans’ nickname “Il Professore” (The Professor) already speaks volumes about their high expectations – a reference to both his intelligent playing style and his academic background (he studied sports science during his time at Brugge).
8. Conclusion
AC Milan football shirts will get a new star player when Ardon Jashari takes on the No. 30 shirt. The 23-year-old Swiss-Algerian combines technical prowess with physical strength in a rare way, making him the perfect fit for the modern Serie A. Although the €39m transfer fee carries risks, his development potential and versatility make the acquisition strategically brilliant for Milan.
The supporters’ football shirts are already starting to fill up with the names of a new star player – Jashari’s arrival brings both an immediate boost and a long-term investment into the core of the team. If he can adapt to the demands of Italian football and develop his goalscoring prowess, we could see him as a key part of Milan in the coming years.
This year’s transfer success (Jashari + 2 other top signings) sends a clear message: Milan are building a team that can challenge at the top of Serie A and Europe. Jashari’s journey from Belgium to San Siro has only just begun, and all eyes are on this young talent who will now wear the prestigious red and black football shirts.
