After AC Milan’s 3-1 win against Monza in the Silvio Berlusconi trophy, Paulo Fonseca took time to speak to the media, and in doing so, he confirmed who his top target is, among other things.
The mercato has been quite slow for Milan, and there is a growing sense of nervousness about whether the Rossoneri will finalise key deals before the closing of the summer transfer window. Although three players have been added, there is still a desire for more business to be completed – a view which is held by the fans and the club.
To the Diavolo’s credit, two key positions have been sorted – though you could argue that another striker and central defender would be welcomed. A right back was not a pressing priority but was listed in the positions that needed strengthening, and with Florenzi’s injury, this became a must.
However, there is still a gaping hole in the team where a defensive midfielder should be sitting, and it has not been due to a lack of trying. Instead, Milan are struggling to finalise a deal for Youssouf Fofana, and there is a concrete chance that he will sign next summer, rather than this summer, as reports have suggested.
Nevertheless, following the fixture against Monza, Fonseca spoke about the Fofana situation and others, and his words have been relayed by Milan News.
What emotions did you feel today?
“The feeling is very positive. Today was the first game, with our fans it was very positive. We have five weeks of work, we have a lot to work on and to improve. We are starting to see things that are the ideas of our game, but we have to keep working. Milan want to dominate, they want to get the ball higher. I didn’t expect to do everything well now, but something is already showing.”
What do you think of Emerson Royal and Pavlovic?
“There is only one player missing from our market. All the others we want are already with us. I must confess that we have to make exits. For Kalulu we are seeing what is best for the team and the player.”
What didn’t go tonight?
“When we press, it is difficult for the team to go backwards. On defensive movements, we have a lot to work on. It’s not that I didn’t like them, in the first 20 minutes we recovered the ball high and didn’t concede any chances to Monza”.
Is the 9 to Jovic your choice?
“Jovic I didn’t know him well, he has surprised me in recent weeks. He is a player who can help the team a lot in the area. The way he has worked these weeks, I liked him a lot.”
Is there a midfielder missing?
“The centre-midfielder is Fofana, we all know that.”
Saelemaekers and Morata…
“Morata works a lot with the team, both offensively and defensively. He didn’t work so much with us, but he played well. It’s the first time I’ve worked with Saelemaekers, everyone says he’s different. I don’t know if it’s true, but I like him. He works in more positions and always does well. He makes good choices with the ball, I want him to stay with us.”
On Liberali…
“Youngsters like Liberali, Zeroli etc are part of the first team. We work together with Milan Futuro, the problem is that we have so many players now. We don’t have as much space for players like him. But when we do have space it’s important to play them with us, it helps them to grow. I think they have quality. They have all shown that in these five weeks. We have to be careful with them.”
Have any players given him a hard time with his choices?
“We all have something to improve. I don’t have specific players in this regard. We all have to improve. In these five weeks there is so much positive, but I think the team can do much better. We have started now, but I expect more from everyone.”
if this is how they treat there first choice. i dread how they would treat there second or third choice.
i wouldn’t even call these guys cheap anymore i just think there broke
You don’t know what you’re talking about, if you spent 35m on a player with less than a year on his contract you’re insane. This isn’t Haaland we’re talking about here, it’s Fofana, even Haaland who’s valued at 180m cost City less than a 3rd. And Fofana definitely isn’t worth 105m
Let me remind you about the last nearly 40m signings we made, Lucas Paqueta and CDK. And spending that on a player that’s free in January is just stupid. Monaco don’t know where they’re getting money from because Ligue 1’s TV deals is screwed. This isn’t a charity.
What I liked the most about Fonseca, for now, is that the team have clear identity and ideas they want to play, compared to with Pioli, and that he is not afraid to play youngsters.
Still friendly, I know, but so far it’s positive… Now if we can keep improving as we go into the season, we can be in for a hell of a ride.
Now we need to produce result, because, result wise, like it or not, Pioli era is one of the better ones in our history. High winning percentage, we back to being CL regular, 1 Scudetto… Especially after such a dark period of banter era…
You’re right! I also like that we’re playing with a plan, and I hope that the young players will be integrated. Do you think we can still sell some players? Fonseca himself said that space needs to be made for the young players to be able to play regularly. Fofana will probably still join.
Kalulu is on his way out. I think Adli needs to go as well. I’m not convinced by Terraciano and Pogeba at all. It might be that Terraciano is better on the right side, but there’s no room for him there. Still, it will be difficult to sell or loan both of them because we need them for the squad list. I would have agreed to sell Saele as well, but it seems like he’ll stay.
Sincere speech. I don’t know if he would get a reproach from management for revealing that Fofana chase deal in the open like that, though.
And it’s true, we have many players, that I’m afraid Liberalli and Zeroli will get much chance, unless some injury plague hits us again.
It’s more likely the other way round – these things are micro managed in sport these days.
He will have been well briefed on what he could and couldn’t say. When I read he’d mentioned Fofana by name and so directly (as opposed to “he’s one player we are looking at”) my first thought was, someone is confident of a deal being done.
Here’s hoping.
It’s very rare for a coach to mention the name of the transfer target directly.
Usually they respond with “i don’t want to comment on other team’s player, etc”.
Maybe this is a good sign that he is confident milan will seal the deal with fofana, or he just wants to add fuel to the fire so milan can move faster for the signing.
he tired waiting! he ‘push’ management through media
Wow wasn’t expecting him to say the name directly. That puts pressure on the club to get the deal done now then. Also probably puts unnecessary pressure on the price too