AC Milan’s newest recruit, Youssouf Fofana, has offered a chance to get some insight into him as a player and person in an interview today.
Fofana’s saga can be viewed in two lights – frustration or excitement. Starting with the first, Milan held out to pay a figure which Monaco were not happy with, and it seemed as though a transfer next summer was the goal, but then there was a change, and now the Frenchman has arrived.
Some may see that as puzzling, as if the Rossoneri were willing to pay the fee, why did they not do so sooner, given the midfielder could have spent longer embedding himself into the squad, as opposed to being the reason for weeks of frustration?
Alternatively, it can be viewed with the outlook of, the Diavolo had a target and they pursued it endlessly, and eventually landed their man who was Paulo Fonseca’s top transfer target – which could show signs of the club’s trust in the manager.
Either way, the midfielder now is a Milanista, something which he had dreamt of all summer, and he could start against Parma this weekend.
Fofana spoke to Milan TV during the ‘Face Off’ series about several things, such as the player he is, and the reasoning behind taking the number 29 at the club, and his words have been relayed by Pianeta Milan.
On arriving at AC Milan…
‘It’s a dream. Everyone knows Milan. I’ve been following it for a long time, I dreamed of playing for this shirt for these fans in this mythical stadium. It’s incredible, I can’t wait to start.”
On the number 29…
“Yes and no. It was one of the numbers available and I liked it. My first number was 22, my second was 19. 22, 19, 29: that’s it. You move forward, you take a step forward.”
On the French colony at AC Milan…
“Yes, in the summer I spoke a lot with French people who play here. They spoke to me very well about the club, the stadium, and the fans and that helped me in my choice.”
On the player he was inspired by…
“I wasn’t inspired by anyone because they had different characteristics. But I admired Gattuso, and Pirlo, I liked Seedorf a lot. For me these three with Kaka in front of them. These were my four players.”
On his jubilation…
“There’s no particular explanation. Me and two of my friends decided to make these three gestures to say that I don’t feel what’s going on around me, I don’t see and I don’t speak. I let the field speak.”
On his first goal wearing the Milan shirt…
‘At the San Siro. Soon, I hope, and with a shot from outside the box. Not with power, but precision. In the low corner. And it must be a victory because if I score and we don’t win it’s useless. And I hope to score a dozen like that.”
On the decision not to give up…
“It was the people around me. We often have a negative image of city districts, especially in Paris. But it gave me a lot of strength. The people I grew up with always supported me, and pushed me to continue. They wanted to see me play on TV and back then they didn’t know what level I played at. They were just waiting to see me play on TV. I did it for them and I hope they are proud of me.”
On what kind of player he is…
“I am a player who likes to bring dynamism. I like to change pace in the defensive phase and especially in the offensive phase. I do my job in both halves of the pitch and cover the field as much as possible. In any case, I aspire to become, I’m working on it and in the future we’ll see if I succeed, but if I succeed I think I’ll be the strongest player in history.”
Bienvenu dans la meilleur club du monde Fofana, nous esperon tu peux jouer avec courage 💪