AC Milan coach Paulo Fonseca has stressed the quality of Christian Pulisic as a player and backed Yunus Musah to have a much better second season with the Rossoneri.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Milan News) after the friendly against Real Madrid in Chicago, Fonseca had nothing but compliments for the two American players that he has in his squad right now.
Pulisic is now with the team in the United States of America after his break following the Copa America in which the USA were knocked out in the group stage, and he came off of the bench against Real Madrid in the match that ended 1-0 to the Rossoneri thanks to Samuel Chukwueze’s goal.
Talking about the American, Fonseca stressed that he will be immensely important this season, just like he was last season.
“Christian is fantastic. His quality is incredible, he will be very important this season too,” Fonseca said.
As for Musah, he did not have such a good first season at Milan and only operated as a bit-part player in a range of positions.
Clearly, Fonseca thinks that he can get more out of the former Valencia midfielder and is convinced that he will be a lot more important next season.
“About Yunus, I am 200% sure that he will be a player of importance for us, of course he has to learn but he has the right characteristics to play in that position,” Fonseca said.
Forza Milan ❤️🔥 I can’t wait for this season. So far I really like the style of baiting the opposition into pressing, and then when they do, exploiting the space created. It’s great work on the defense and midfield.
Yes. Very De Zerbiesque.
I am excited as well with what I’ve seen. I wonder how this style will play out with a side that sits back and absorbs pressure.
Stats and characteristics wise Musah was supposed to be a copy of Kessie. But he did not show that in his first season. Maybe due to Pioliball and the misues of Musah in wrong positions, maybe he did not settle in properly or maybe the algorithms are just not it.
Let’s see what Fonseca can make out of him. This kid has the energy to become N’golo Kante kind of player.
Our pivots should be Bennacer/? and Musah/Fofana.
Reijnders is and will never be a player for that position so if they want to force him there, he’s better off sold.
I think everyone took the first part of what Gattuso said, having coached both of them, ‘he can be the Kessie of old’ without the second part, ‘if you are patient.’ He is 21. The team was heavily rewarded for playing a 20 year old Tonali through a very tough first season with the player he turned into.
They also did not seem to have a defensive system in place. The front line didn’t attack the ball and left the back line to deal with the problems. I think there will be time to re-assess how each player fits into the roles this season. There is little reason to think Reijnders cannot play decent defense with his size, speed and stamina…not handed the job but given the chance to win it. This should be the case for every role.