Zachary Athekame

Key strength: Pace and recovery

Overlapping full-back

In a season of shocking underperformance, AC Milan sit rock-bottom in 19th place—an unthinkable position for the seven-time European champions. Amid this nightmare campaign, where the Rossoneri have stumbled through a torrid run of form (LWLLD), 21-year-old Swiss right-back Zachary Athekame emerges as a rare beacon of hope. The €15 million-rated youngster, donning the iconic number 24 shirt, has grasped his limited opportunities with both hands. In just five appearances (450 minutes), Athekame has already opened his goal-scoring account and chipped in with an assist—productive returns for a defensive player thrust into a crisis environment. Deployed as an overlapping full-back, the Swiss international combines defensive diligence (63 defending) with pace and recovery ability that hint at significant upside. Competing for minutes against established defenders like Strahinja Pavlović and Matteo Gabbia, Athekame is gaining invaluable Serie A experience the hard way. With Milan desperate for rejuvenation, this young Swiss prospect represents the future—emerging as one of few bright spots in a season the Rossoneri faithful will want to erase from memory.