:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27743735/175941053.0.jpg)
Adel Taarabt is leaving Fulham for AC Milan, at least until the summer. The Italian side have taken Taarabt on loan for the remainder of the season with an option to buy as they look to give new manager Clarence Seedorf more options in the attack. The loan is actually from Queens Park Rangers, who own his contract and loaned him to Fulham for the first half of the season.
Taarabt made just nine starts for Fulham this season, putting in some outstanding performances -- like against Manchester City -- with several forgettable ones. Once hailed as a future star, even labeled "the next Zidane," the 24-year-old has struggled to live up to expectations in England. He never caught on at Tottenham Hotspur, who loaned and later sold him to QPR. He helped the Hoops earn promotion to the Premier League, but once back in the top flight Taarabt struggled to impress week in, week out.
Undoubtedly skilled, Taarabt is hoping that Milan and Seedorf can finally unlock his talent. Seedorf has Milan playing free, with four attacking players allowed to move, interchange and essentially do as they please. That kind of system and freedom might finally be what Taarabt needs to make good on his expectations.
For Milan, this might be as much of a trial as anything. They are 16 points from a Champions League place so they are almost assuredly going to miss out on Europe, but if the Rossoneri can get Taarabt to impress, they can pick up their option to buy and have a supremely skilled player at their disposal next season.
