Former AC Milan midfielder Demetrio Albertini has admitted that it is tough to turn down such a big offer for Sandro Tonali, while he also gave his thoughts on a potential signing.
Albertini spoke during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport which was published this morning and touched on a number of different topics, including his initial reaction to Ruben Loftus-Cheek taking the No.8 shirt vacated after Tonali’s exit.
“More than an effect, I would speak of reflection: our league has become a showcase for young talents, the law of the transfer market says so. I’d start by eliminating the term ‘icon’ from our vocabulary,” he said.
“With Tonali’s farewell, Milan have lost a great player, there’s no doubting that. It is also true, however, that 70 million is a lot. The real price of a player is made by those who have the financial resources.
“A club like today’s Milan has two options, either sign other players worth 60-70 million to work alongside Tonali or sell him to reinvest and create more value. The Rossoneri have chosen the second option.
“Is it the correct decision? In addition to the technical prowess, Tonali guaranteed the spirit of belonging which makes the difference in a great team. However, things can also be won by giving up [best players], what matters is creating sentiment: look at Napoli last year.
“They sold symbolic players, very close to the club such as Insigne, Koulibaly and Mertens but won the Scudetto after 33 years thanks to great intuitions and the spirit created by Spalletti.”
The first player to arrive that will have the task of trying to form a new midfield department after Tonali’s sale is Loftus-Cheek, a player that we profiled at length in an analysis published yesterday.
“We are talking about a physically imposing midfielder who is used to the very high rhythms of the Premier League. If he can fit in quickly, it’s an excellent solution for Pioli,” Albertini said.
Milan are also believed to be pushing hard to sign Tijjani Reijnders from AZ Alkmaar, with the paper claiming this morning that the management are going all’in for the Dutchman.
“I have the impression that a more muscular team is being born, more European if you like. Reijnders has good numbers and could be the right man to rebuild, let’s remember that Bennacer will also be missing for a while…”
Another name linked with Milan frequently over the past few days is that of Yunus Musah, who Albertini believes could also be useful to the cause.
“Both he and Reijnders come from two leagues where very proactive football is played. Pioli’s Milan have shown in recent years that they know how to play and have fun, I see a common thread in the club’s strategy.
“And above all I see a Pioli who is truly more involved. I have the impression that never before in this transfer market can the coach be decisive in choosing goals.”
Yesterday was the day when a lot of news emerged about Frattesi, who Milan enquired about before he ended up agreeing a move to Inter.
“He’s an excellent, modern player. He makes late runs, looks for goals, has personality. But if you change teams, you have to do it willingly, and from what I’ve read in recent days, his liking was directed towards Inter,” Albertini said.
For the attack, the name of Christian Pulisic is the hottest one for the right wing it seems.
“A reinforcement that fits. Talent is not discussed, motivations can do the rest. At Milan he can feel the protagonist and will find less competition than at Chelsea.
“And then the recent precedents encourage, no? Tomori, Giroud… Anyone who doesn’t find space at Chelsea will make a big comeback at Milan. I just hope they do it soon.
“It’s a question of insertion, it applies to Pulisic and to all the other Rossoneri targets. Every day spent at Milanello is one more brick to build the new Milan, breathing the club’s air is perhaps worth more than the schemes and modules to assimilate.”
Among the centre-forwards linked are Alvaro Morata, Gianluca Scamacca, Boulaye Dia, Lois Openda and Jonathan David. Who does Albertini like the most?
“I like Scamacca, for two reasons. First, because he showed important qualities at Sassuolo and the difficulties experienced in the Premier League can make him more mature, stronger. Second thing, he is young: he can become an excellent investment.”
Rafael Leao has the No.10 on his back and he is at the centre of the project, but will he be the leader without Zlatan Ibrahimovic there?
“He must. Talent, if you’re at Milan, must be a mission: now Rafa must become Michael Jordan who takes the three-point shot at the last second. And I’m sure he won’t shirk the task.”
From Maldini to algorithms: what does Albertini think of the Rossoneri revolution?
“On Paolo’s farewell I won’t go into the merits but, of course, he struck me. Maldini is much more than the competence of his role, which he, moreover, has shown to have.
“As for the technology to support the market, the choice does not surprise me: everyone uses numbers today, knowing how to interpret them counts.”
Will it be Pioli’s most difficult season?
“It will be the most stimulating.”
Great and thoughtful comments!
Lol… He doesn’t even mention Chukwueze/Kamada… It’s possible we are chasing shadows, or the media is generating rumours as usual…🤣🤣. Either way it’s going to be an interesting Mercato, new Milan style.