Youssouf Fofana has admitted that he believes he can improve further, having grown a lot since arriving at AC Milan.
Fofana joined Milan in the 2024 summer window from Monaco and was supposed to be the man who completed the midfield, at least in terms of the starting line-up. He was the more defensive presence alongside Tijjani Reijnders, but there was another midfield rebuild in the summer.
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Massimiliano Allegri’s arrival – as well as those of Luka Modric, Adrien Rabiot, Ardon Jashari and Samuele Ricci – could have threatened the Frenchman’s spot. However, Fofana has started the majority of games on the right side of the three, with Allegri clearly a fan of what he offers in both phases.
‘It all depends on me’
Fofana gave an interview to L’Equipe in which he spoke about a number of different topics, from life in Serie A so far to a potential call-up for the summer World Cup, with MilanPress relaying his words.
You have changed positions this season…
“It wasn’t necessarily what you might think. The first year was two-fold. First, I learned a lot from a tactical standpoint. Before, I was a more instinctive player. Today, I’m more disciplined. I try to respect instructions better, to read the game better.
“I try to do what the team needs. It’s not just about winning balls back. You also have to know how to build plays, help your team-mates, and be well-positioned. I’m there for the team. If the coach says something, I’m there for him.
“Then, if I spontaneously say, ‘I can do other things,’ and they let me do it, I’ll show them. That’s all. I’m taking a step forward in my career with an Italian giant, and nobody sees me. I don’t need this recognition, I’m not one of those players who needs a pat on the back.”
Has it given you a new perspective?
“It’s as if I’ve looked at football a certain way for years, and now my perception is changing. I no longer see the pitch from the same angle. I no longer have the same points of reference.
“For example, before, when I was in front of the defence, I knew I had two players behind me, one diagonally to the right and one to the left. Without looking, I could pass into that area. Now it’s completely different. I play as a right midfielder.
“When we don’t have the ball, I’m very advanced, almost like a striker. When we do have the ball, I position myself between the lines. Before, I would go looking for those players.”
Is it a positive season?
“Statistics come into play. And I can be much more effective than that. I could have scored just one goal and provided more than four assists this season, and then I would have told you my season had been good.
“Then, if I look at the medium term, there’s the World Cup, and I’m not sure I’m expected to play in that position.”
Do you have a new mentality too?
“Yes. I used to be more fatalistic. Today I don’t think that way anymore: you have to go and get things. Today I work more on analysis, I try to understand the game better. I listen to the coaches more. I’ve become more demanding of myself.”
“I don’t like sitting in front of the TV saying, ‘Wow, he’s great,’ and then, when I’m on the pitch, not trying to do the same. I’m really tired of hearing, ‘OK, he’s great, he does this and that.’ Let’s just do it!
“We have an incredible opportunity. Let’s try! I’m not saying we should try impossible things. But I don’t want to say, ‘I’m not trying because I’m afraid of failing.”
Would you like a call-up for the World Cup?
“Playing in a World Cup would be a dream. Yes, I want to go, but I’ll have to get a visa (laughs). A call-up? At first, I was disappointed, wondering why I wasn’t called up. Then I thought, ‘Okay, Youssouf, there are so many good players in your position.’
“I have to do well for my club first. I have to finish the season even better than I started it, the opportunities will come. It all depends on me.”
So Fofana, Bartesaghi, Pulisic, Leao, Ricci & Jashari are all playing out of position. But yeah the 532 is great.