Paolo Maldini has highlighted how the history of AC Milan and the realistic nature of their project has helped to convince some players to join.
It has been well documented how Maldini’s influence has helped Milan secure several important signings like Theo Hernandez and more recently Fikayo Tomori.
The former captain revealed that while the honour and prestige of the club has helped to recruit certain players, the ability to pitch a practical and pragmatic project and route back to the top also allows potential recruits to buy in.
Maldini gave a long interview to So Foot during which he discussed a number of topics including his past with the club, the present and the plans for the future, with his comments transcribed by MilanNews.
“One of the things that helps the project, the players and those who work within the project is to tell the truth. And the truth is clear: it has been eight years since we played the last Champions League,” he said.
“We have to take note. If we had said: this year we will win everything, if we said every year that we want to win everything, it would be a mistake. If the plan is to try to shorten the time to rebuild a club like this, and be competitive in two years, people understand. There is more understanding towards the players, they need time. A year ago we were tenth, basically, and we were seen as a losing team.
“Anyone who knows football knows, however, that there were already signs very positive. Obviously it takes time. If you change strategy every year, it becomes difficult, because you put pressure on the players in particular, and it’s more complicated.
“The players are already under pressure, they know that this shirt, this story, San Siro, the people , they put pressure on you. If you give a more precise idea of the times and where you want to go, this can only help.
“So we can’t even imagine what the next transfer window will look like, this thing is scary. We started with the idea of a virtuous project, so we’re still trying to cut costs, we started this before the pandemic, so we were, in a sense, better prepared than others.”
