Simon Kjær’s incredible year 2021
Trained at FC Midtjylland, Simon Kjær has been a name known in France for a long time. Passed by Palermo between 2008 and 2010 then in Wolfsburg between 2011 and 2013 (with a freelance at AS Roma in the meantime), Simon Kjær landed in Lille in the summer of 2013. Under the orders of René Girard and alongside the Montenegrin Marko Baša, he will form a high-level hinge (only 26 goals conceded in Ligue 1) which will also allow their goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama to hold out for 1062 minutes without conceding a single goal. The Nigerian narrowly failed to beat Gaëtan Huard’s record (1176 minutes). Forming a solid defense, rigorous, but valuable to the recovery with his friend from the axis, Simon Kjær shone for two years before leaving. Still performing well at Fenerbahçe and Sevilla, he will be loaned to Atalanta however in September 2019. With the Dea, he found himself in a situation of failure with only 6 games played, but while everything seemed to be going badly, the ‘AC Milan has arrived.
He put AC Milan back on top
Wanting to bring experience to a young team in distress, the Diavolo decided to put on the Dane. AC Milan remained in particular on a stinging 5-0 setback against Atalanta which would finally allow to better revive the team. “It is clear that in January, after the famous Atalanta-Milan, our journey began with the arrival of Ibra, Kjaer and Saelemaekers. But it’s not over, just as Zlatan’s journey isn’t over either ” Stefano Pioli recently underlined at a press conference. If the presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic attacks a crazy fact, count on a leader like Simon Kjær behind a stabilizer license for certain things. Completing the season with 12 wins, 5 draws and 2 losses, AC Milan was on a crazy pace and reproduced this last season. With more solidity behind, it was the entire offensive system of the Rossoneri that was revived.
Performances which led AC Milan to keep him in the summer of 2020. Committing until June 2022, Simon Kjær again confirmed the following season alongside Alessio Romagnoli and reached AC Milan from prancing in the lead from day 4 to day 21. “Maldini and Massara brought me to Milan to have a voice in the locker room and to help the young players. I arrived in a complicated moment, but despite the criticism that was directed to the players, I knew there was quality here. Now we are the opposite of what we were when I arrived: the results are there and there is enthusiasm. But you have to remember that nothing is done and that it takes very little to get back to your mistakes ” He explained in November 2020. Benefiting from the contribution of Fikayo Tomari from January, Simon Kjær has his future level of performance, but AC Milan has folded in favor of Inter Milan. Finishing despite everything second in Serie A, AC Milan then signed his return to the big leagues.
Heroic with Denmark
Bringing his experience to a very young workforce last year (22.9 years on average), Simon Kjær was satisfied in the role of captain to the point of endorsing it also with the selection of Denmark. Qualified for Euro 2020, his fourth international tournament after the 2010 and 2018 World Cups as well as Euro 2012, Simon Kjær arrived in an ambitious team that was going to live a nightmare. On June 12, despite a good start, Denmark did not find a solution against Finland. When suddenly, Christian Eriksen collapses in the 44th minute and his gaze is worrying. Without hesitation, Simon Kjær took matters into his own hands by carrying out first aid on his friend while waiting for the appearance of the healers then he supported the company of the middle of Inter Milan during the drama. In the end, Christian Eriksen did well and Simon Kjær’s heroic attitude was widely praised. Even to the point that we are asking for his promotion as captain of AC Milan.
Losing the game to Finland 1-0 and then failing to Belgium 2-1, Denmark seemed headed for an early elimination, but Simon Kjær and his gang recovered from that sadness. Fighting for Christian Eriksen, their friend, the Danes had a totally crazy match against Russia by blowing up the Sbornaya (4-1). Following up with a large victory against Wales in the Round of 16 (4-0), Denmark once again shone in the quarter-final against the Czech Republic (2-1). Guarantor of the rearguard, Simon Kjær has distinguished himself as one of the best players in the tournament and welcomes our type of competition. Unfortunately, the good story ended against England with a 2-1 loss after extra time. Still marking the spirit of the football planet, the Danes wrote a very beautiful story where the nightmare almost became a sublime dream. Returned to AC Milan, Simon Kjær resumed his role as boss. Playing only 5 out of 9 matches due to injury, the former Lille remains indisputable for Stefano Pioli and the question of his extension arises as his contract ends in June 2022. In the meantime, Simon Kjær is savoring, as when he was learned that he was in the 30 nominated for the Ballon d’Or. “2021 has been a fantastic football year. I am grateful for the nomination ” he soberly wrote on his Instagram account. His season may not be the most impressive among the 30 nominated players, but his year 2021 and perhaps the most touching.