After a shaky start to life in Italy, Chelsea loanee Tiemoue Bakayoko is seemingly continuing to change opinion as he impressed for AC Milan on Monday.
As noted by Sky Sports, the 24-year-old is on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea, while the Italian giants are said to have an option to make it a permanent move this summer.
SEE MORE: AC Milan transfer news: €35m+ signing could be announced by Wednesday
Based on the level of his performances in recent months, it may well be an easy decision for Milan to make as Bakayoko once again stood out as a key player in their win over Genoa on Monday, which took them back into the top four in Serie A.
Bakayoko struggled in his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge last season, failing to show the quality that ultimately earned him his transfer from Monaco.
In turn, his move to Italy was considered crucial in proving his worth moving forward, and with Lucas Biglia sidelined with injury over the last two months, he has grabbed his opportunity with both hands and continues to impress.
As noted in the tweets below, some of which even came from Chelsea fans, he has certainly turned things around after being heavily criticised for not showing his quality previously, and so it remains to be seen if Milan do exercise that reported option to sign him permanently.
From his defensive coverage in front of the backline to his driving runs forward, Bakayoko has seemingly regained his confidence and deserves a great deal of credit for putting a disappointing and difficult period in his career behind him.
Should he continue his current form, it may even leave some Chelsea fans questioning whether or not he perhaps should have been given more time in west London…
What a beast Bakayoko have been since Biglia was injured
— #BentornatoPaolo (@iMilan_ar) January 21, 2019
Fuck I’d even say Bakayoko is performing better than at his Monaco days.. #milangenoa
— ?azem ?ahab (@ZahabHazem) January 21, 2019
Bakayoko has been immense for a while now. Have to give this man credit because I was convinced he was a donkey
— Sellvio Berlu$coni (@Pure_Milanista) January 21, 2019
I’ve to say Bakayoko has earned his spot in the XI for even after Biglia returns.
We should redeem him even if that means we will be selling one of Kessie/Biglia.
Bakayoko has been delivering at least 8/10 for countless consecutive matches now.#Bakaballer
— Dawadinho (@TheDawadi) January 21, 2019
Bakayoko with another match wining man of the match performance.
— I am that dope fella (@demowen) January 21, 2019
Bakayoko was a beast Genoa very easily reached our defense without Kessie
— Gianluca Di Marzio ? (@WDandada) January 21, 2019
Another man of the match performance from Bakayoko help Milan to beat Genoa
Man in his form pic.twitter.com/CXXUNptZXW
— Chelsea Transfer News ? (@cfctransfernew) January 21, 2019
Tiemoue Bakayoko v Genoa
84 Touches
45/53 Passes
84% Pass accuracy
1 Chance created
1 Key pass
4/6 Long balls
4/6 Dribbles
3/6 Tackles
3 Interceptions
2 Clearances
1 Block
3/5 Aerials
17/28 Duels
6 Recoveries
4 Was fouled
4 Fouls— Chelsea Loan Army (@ChelseaLoanArmy) January 21, 2019
Also Bakayoko is so fucking good man redemption needed
— Spag Hetti (@RoSpagnoli13) January 21, 2019
Watching @acmilan vs #Genoa.#BAKAYOKO looks so rejuvenated.
Playing so so well.— The Blue Family?? (@AbraBlueFamily) January 21, 2019