Gerry Cardinale has lifted the lid on what his plans were regarding the AC Milan squad for the summer window that has just closed, and what he hoped to achieve with the business done.
It was certainly a wild summer for Milan, and the dust is only just settling. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s retirement was quickly following by the sacking of Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara as technical and sporting director, arousing questions about the plans moving forward.
The new management of Giorgio Furlani and chief scout Geoffrey Moncada got to work, quickly selling Sandro Tonali which created another violent storm, but then 10 new signings arrived to improve the squad depth.
The biggest test so far awaits on Saturday against Inter but there is no doubting that three wins from three and impressive performances to match has helped calm any ongoing doubts.
Cardinale spoke to Venanzio Postiglione – who is the deputy editor of Corriere della Sera – and Arianna Ravelli for the upcoming issue of 7, which will be out tomorrow. Today’s edition of the paper has published a teaser, relayed by PianetaMilan.
What was the thinking behind the summer business?
“I wanted a more physical, stronger, faster, more intense, more European Milan and I saw it in these first matches.”
What can you change in Serie A?
“I believe I can make a contribution.”
You were photographed at the Scudetto celebrations…
“But there is a background that no one knows and that concerns the 1982 World Cup…”
Milan are making use of data and algorithms, like ‘Moneyball’…
“They are just one of the many tools available.”
More european-style is the reason of the lack of Italian players in the squad. This philosophy was already adopted by Pioli during Elliot era.
What do we need Italians?
In terms of youth sector to create new golden players – yes. But just to have Italians who are very expensive and not so competitive- no.
We always need players who will put greatest effort in games and to be in club no matter what.
Italian is not necessary.
Technically, we can have full 25 players squad without Italian. Homegrown is not limited to Italian, even Kessie is association-homegrown and Luka Romero only need 1 more season to be considered association-homegrown (3 more seasons for club homegrown).
I think we do for identity and coherency as the club is italian but it can also wait for the time being but i certainly expect us to both promote some from the primavera in the coming years and for that matter make some investments in italian players when our finances further improves.
Klopp was asked about this in an interview – he said (I’m paraphrasing) If there are two players of equal quality, one is local and one is not, then you will always take the local boy because he’ll mean more to the fans. However, quality always comes first, no matter where a player is from.
I like the look of Kiroli, and a couple of others coming through – lets see if they actually make the grade.
of course comes first but i can also understand why they in recent years has betted more on for example french players because the talent from abroad smply is cheaper compared to equal talent in italy. Klopp doesnt have any money issues as we have had so he can more easily do that but over time ac milan should have more italians and id prefer 2/3 italians and im not even italian myself.
Kiroli ? do do you mean kevin zeroli ?
I think in the next 2-4 years camarda propably will have gotten his debut or at least i hope that will be the case,
Overall though the majority of primavera players are bound to fail at ac milan as we isnt exactly ajax who sell players and promote from their own ranks.
As i see it Ideally milan should only buy a couple of great players each year while promoting a couple of primaveras as well.
of course quality comes first….
Germany had a government aided infrastructure and organizational restructuring that made German clubs have to implement professional youth coaches in all their pro teams. Also a quota of local/german players to be allowed to acquire their licenses in leagues. So all the clubs had the same parameters to respect, meaning they were on equal footing by having to use young local talents. This forced all the clubs into giving local players a chance to develop and get playing time. They also have B teams from Bundesliga sides playing in lower leagues. So young players are tested against men in competition instead of kids. It allows them to evaluate and train players properly. Italy doesn’t have the money to implement such strategies. A German local U23 vs an Italian will have experience in pro football.
Those ideasn seems like good ideas, Italy do have u23 teams in serie c but milan not though, we should implement it though and never understood why we didnt do as juventus. England also made some demands in regard of english/british players a few years back as some english teams didnt have many or any english players.
I like how you will now find the most meaningless things to complain about
What am I complaining? I am supporting the approach taken by Pioli and Cardinale.
The european approach taken by Pioli was already revealed by Maldini even before Elliot sold Milan to Redbird. Cardinale is on board with it and I agree with them.
Lol, the only person I know that complains that he thinks other people are complaining. How ironic 😂😂😂 can’t make this stuff up
Same thing happened in England 20 years ago. The reason that was cited for the lack of English starters back then, was the need to change the way teams play and improve the quality.
And it worked because the last couple of generations of EPL youth players have still had that very English ‘bulldog’ attitude to the game, but they have the technique to go with it now – I think we are about to see England dominate the international stage as well as the domestic one (ugh!).
We haven’t taken our Primavera seriously in years, if ever to be honest. So if the current lack of Italians is supposed to start a culture shift then I’m all for that.
Yes, imagine if the tactical approach of Italy is mixed with technique and physicality.
Oh please… There is no current Italian talent. Their national team is a proof of that. Take away fratesi barella, tonali and chiesa, the rest is crap
Agree, $umma is crap.