Matteo Gabbia 24, has had an uneven start to life at Villarreal after joining on a season-long loan from AC Milan. The Italian defender has appeared 11 times for the Yellow Submarine this season, but has failed to make an impact.
Gabbia has only played 45 minutes since Marcelino Garcia Toral returned to Villarreal in November (against Maccabi Haifa). He was injured for the games against Zamora and Osasuna, but came on as a half-time replacement against Israel in the Europa League before being ruled out against Sevilla last weekend.
Gabbia’s contract with Villarreal expires at the end of the season, but according to sources in Spain and Italy (as stated by Football Italia), he could return to Milan in January. It comes amid a centre-back injury crisis for the Italian giants, who are now without Pierre Kalulu, Simon Kjaer, Mattia Caldara, and Malick Thiaw.
Gabbia would not be a huge loss for Villarreal if he returned to Milan during the winter, but if he does leave, a successor will be needed. Marcelino’s center-back choices are already lacking, so whoever fills in would have to be of the appropriate caliber.
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