Paris Saint-Germain’s decision to bench Gianluigi Donnarumma is "crazy", with Christian Abbiati suspecting a deep misunderstanding between the two.
Donnarumma benched by PSGAbbiati calls the decision crazy and disrespectfulUnited could offer a solution to the keeper. Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Donnarumma will seemingly either be sold or be forced to settle for a place on the PSG bench in the coming season after they completed the signing of Lucas Chevalier from Lille. The uncertainty around the Italian's future comes amid a breakdown in contract talks, with the club refusing to meet his salary demands. To avoid losing him for free next summer, they will sell the 26-year-old, but the man who mentored him at AC Milan, Abbiati, says there is surely more to the story given his role in their Champions League success last season.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT ABBIATI SAID
“There's something crazy about all this. Or maybe something happened we don't know about, and then okay, it's their business, their business alone," he told . "Otherwise, it's crazy, something that has no logical explanation."
Abbiati said Donnarumma was more than half responsible for their Champions League success, adding: "In Europe he made senseless saves, saves that few would have been capable of making.
"So, we can say that there are many better players with their feet than him, but from there to replacing a goalkeeper who has put a Champions League title in your trophy cabinet.
"[Out of 10 I'd give him] an 11 between the posts and a 6.5 with his feet. Still, a full pass."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Donnarumma was chosen ahead of Abbiati to make his senior debut for AC Milan in 2015, becoming the third-youngest goalkeeper ever to appear in Serie A. Abbiati, who retired the following year, praised the youngster at the time, saying: "I'm calm because I'm leaving Milan in the hands of a great goalkeeper.”
Donnarumma later left Milan in controversial fashion, joining PSG as a free agent. Despite a rocky start in Paris, he established himself as the club’s number one and played a key role in their treble-winning campaign last season.
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR DONNARUMMA?
Donnarumma will hope that his issue with the PSG management will be resolved quickly and his future will become clear with the new season set to commence this week.