Former AC Milan defender Marcel Desailly believes that Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao have what it takes to go all the way to the top, while he also praised Sandro Tonali.
Desailly was interviewed by La Gazzetta dello Sport this morning and he was asked about a number of different players currently in the Milan squad including those who are currently representing their country at the World Cup.
Given the tournament that is being played in Qatar and the massive presence of French players in today’s Milan, it was impossible for Desailly not to start from those players who form a hard core within Pioli’s squad.
“Theo can become the strongest in the world: he’s a chameleon, he has the ability to change his function within the team. Giroud? In line with the style of Pioli and Milan needed a player of his experience, capable of making the difference in important moments,” he began (via MilanNews).
There is one player who would love to be out there with Giroud and Theo, but Mike Maignan has been forced to stay at home due to injury. Desailly responded to the idea of him being a top five goalkeeper in the world.
“Not now because he’s injured. He’s super important for Milan and he can still improve a lot,” he said.
Desailly also spoke about Milan’s momentum and what he likes about this Rossoneri team, predicting the Scudetto race to open up once again.
“The mix between young and experienced. It’s good to win the Scudetto but the most difficult thing is to consolidate. The foundations of the years in the eighties and nineties are being created, when this was the best club in the world. Milan are alive again.
“I love Napoli’s energy but I doubt that they can keep up psychologically until the end. They don’t have the squad to hold on: Juve and Milan can take advantage of it.”
For the gap to be closed, those players who led the Rossoneri in the final part of last season need to be decisive again, like Sandro Tonali. “I like him, with his number 8.”
And on Leao, he added: “Leao like Henry? It seems to me that Leao has become a star even before becoming a star. He has enormous potential but he doesn’t give me the idea of be ruthless. I ask Leao to forge his character.”
“I ask Leao to forge his character.”
Even the ex-pros say it out aloud.