Cisse’s early scoring lead strengthens his case for a Milan starting role

Alphadjo Cisse is Milan’s top scorer by mid-October, and his former coach Fabio Dalla Costa believes the young attacker has already earned a serious place in the starting-role conversation. Dalla Costa’s argument is built on both Cisse’s impact and his ability to produce difficult actions with striking ease.

“He can carve out a place as a starter, if not become a regular starter,” Dalla Costa told Gianlucadimarzio.com. He recognised the competition at Milan, including Adrien Rabiot, Christian Pulisic and Luka Modrić, but said: “At this moment, I see no limits.”

The goal against Torino is Dalla Costa’s clearest example. Cisse controlled the ball with his thigh and shot before it bounced—a sequence his former coach said many players might not even consider attempting. Dalla Costa described Cisse as someone who can make high-difficulty situations look normal, and said the player may have potential he does not yet fully recognise.

The timing gives that backing weight. Milan are sixth with 12 points from six league games and remain unbeaten at 3-3-0. Cisse’s position as the side’s leading scorer puts him into the attacking picture alongside established names, though the small appearance samples underline how early it is to draw firm conclusions about Milan’s hierarchy: Rabiot has one goal in one league appearance, while Pulisic has no goals or assists in his one appearance.

Dalla Costa’s confidence also comes from knowing Cisse before his Milan rise. He recalled that, in Cisse’s first year in the Esordienti youth category, the youngster already made difficult things look simple without acting as though he was above the work. He linked that grounded attitude to Cisse’s family: his parents continue to work, and Cisse still visits them, spends time with old friends and returns to see Dalla Costa at the training ground. Cisse also came through Giorgione’s youth system, and Dalla Costa said his dream is to buy a home for his mother and family.

The coach raised a possible future beyond Italy, but only as a conditional scenario. If Cisse reaches double figures by June and continues producing moments like the Torino goal, Dalla Costa said English clubs could take notice. He stressed that any decision would depend on both the player and Milan; there is no confirmed transfer development.

Milan host Atalanta on Sunday, 18 October, with Cisse’s early scoring impact already giving Dalla Costa a case for a larger role. The next step is whether that output can keep influencing his place in a side still building its league position.