L’Equipe journalsit Bilel Ghazi has lifted the lid on what Milan fans can expect from defender Pierre Kalulu, who is all set to join from Lyon.
Our mercato correspondent Vito Angele recently confirmed to us that Milan have reached an agreement with the Lyon right-back over a five-year deal.
Kalulu is a much-needed reinforcement in what has been a problematic position for Milan all season, with Davide Calabria and Andrea Conti both struggling for form.
He landed in Italy on Tuesday and is undergoing his medical examinations ahead of putting pen to paper on a deal until 2025.
Ghazi spoke to MilanNews about Kalulu as a player and what the Rossoneri are getting, as well as the decisive assault from Paolo Maldini.
What kind of player is Kalulu?
“He started as a central defender, but he moved to right-back. He is a player who works a lot on the wing, he is very calm and has great technical qualities. He does very well in depth and is also a leader, we saw in the Youth League he has shown he can be a team leader,” he began.
Why hasn’t he played in the first team at the age of twenty?
“Lyon did not immediately notice his qualities. The French club has three right-backs: Dubois, Rafael and Tete. Too many players, also paid very well. For a youth player, therefore, there was no room, I think this is the first explanation. Kalulu took his time to grow.”
There have been reports that Lyon sporting director Juninho has come under fire for losing Kalulu given how highly-rated he is.
“Losing Kalulu was a serious blow for Lyon, but it’s not just Juninho’s problem, but a general problem of youth football in France,” Ghazi said.
“Maldini was very important for the player’s decision, he called him a lot of times together with Frederic Massara, who speaks good French, to explain Milan’s willingness to take him and make him sign the first professional contract.
“For a defender to speak with Maldini, who has been a great player in the history of football, it is a really important thing.”
