Former AC Milan midfielder Antonio Nocerino has backed Zlatan Ibrahimovic to succeed if he returns, and has also urged the club to sign Nemanja Matic.
A number of different outlets are reporting that the 38-year-old has said yes to another spell at San Siro, with details of Ibrahimovic’s contract have been revealed by a couple of different reporters.
The reliable Gianluca Di Marzio also added that there are continuous contacts and an uninterrupted effort to sort the very last details of Ibrahimovic’s contract, which will be a six-month contract with a renewal option linked to certain conditions.
Now, his former team-mate Antonio Nocerino has given his thoughts on the reunion, insisting it is the right decision by the Rossoneri.
“Ibrahimovic? We talked but I swear that we didn’t talk about the market, those choices are too personal,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“But one thing I can guarantee is if Zlatan accepted Milan’s offer, it’s because he believes in the challenge of relaunching such a young group. He will make them competitive, you will see, to try to return to Europe and forward in the Coppa Italia.
“Whoever sees him arrive will remember what it means to be at Milan. They have to roll up their sleeves and raise the level and Ibra will make it immediate.
“I don’t understand the doubts of some fans. For a Champion like him age is just a number. Mentally and athletically he’s fine, and he comes from a very physical league like MLS. It will take him only a few weeks to return to the top. There are no Maldini’s and Cannavaro’s in Serie A defences anymore.
“I don’t know how many goals he will score, but he will score and he’ll make them score. He will solve the problems of the attack.
“What will he bring? Competitiveness, even in training. Zlatan is furious even if he loses a training match. Personally, and it will be a good test for his team-mates, because if you don’t have enough character then you can’t play with him. And quality, he is a champion who can improve the performance of the whole group.
“With Zlatan there are no compatibility issues, the important thing is that he has good people around him who swoop come without the ball. The game system is decided by the coach but for me it’s all very clear: first you give a shirt to Ibra, then you adjust the rest.”
Nocerino also discussed the other possible mercato objectives such as Jean-Clair Todibo, before urging the club to sign Manchester United outcast Nemanja Matic for the midfield.
“It’s ok to invest in talented and young players, but right now we need ready, experienced players. Players like Matic I would take tomorrow.”