In recent days, two players have been increasingly linked to AC Milan, and former striker Jean-Pierre Papin has commented on the reports and offered his opinions on the players.
Today’s opening of the mercato is where fiction turns to fact, and rumours turn to reality, and Milan have planned for this day for months now. Plans have been placed, and now it is time for action, so things must happen quickly.
The first port of call is a striker, and a decision could be made in days due to the Joshua Zirkzee transfer involuntarily being placed on hold. While the Rossoneri pursue other avenues, they can also look to new areas such as a midfielder and Youssouf Fofana is the preference.
With the window now open, Papin spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport about the linked duo, both of which he has extensive knowledge of, and his comments have been relayed by Milan News.
Thoughts on Lukaku…
“He is one of the strongest ‘nines’ in the world because he is physically big and fast and because he is left-handed, but he can also shoot right-handed. Belgium, however, also has De Bruyne, an incredible midfielder, and other interesting players like the very fast Doku. And watch out for Tielemans: when he decides to play at his best, he becomes very important.
Milan could take both Lukaku and Fofana…
“Of Lukaku, I said, Milan needs a striker like that to replace Olivier Giroud. Lukaku fights for the team. Fofana I studied him in Hutter’s Monaco: he does an incredible job in the manner of Kantè. Hutter made him a midfielder who covers so many metres of the pitch, between the areas.”
Few players know top-tier strikers like a man who has been one himself, and getting the approval of a deal from him is a fantastic boost for Lukaku, and hearing glowing reports of Fofana is fantastic praise.
Papan analysis is accurate. Lukaku provides guarantee of 20-25 goals per season + due to his holdup/linkup play will help Pulisic & Leao. Same cant be said about Zirkzee, Jimenez etc.
I wasnt aware fofana covers so much field. If that’s the case then he would do well alongside Bennacer & Reijnders. With Loftus Cheek & Pulisic able to play CAM it’ll allow for Fonseca to play 433 or 4231. Adli off the bench provides good depth. Odd one out is Musah & Pobega. Both should be sold.
Yes I agree, there are few strikers what we can buy, Zirkzee is good choice, but without experience.. Broja same shit like Origi… maybe Ben Yeder who is for free can be good oportunity but definitely the best options with experience is Lukaku, who is for 25/30m.. this management don’t want to buy a striker for 50/60m if they have 100m budget and after exit of Kjaer and Giroud, you need to add some experience
Of course Papin recomends Lukaku, who just as Papin did, goes missing in big games. I don’t even know why Papin was interviewed, he was a massive flop at Milan.
Look, one of Milan’s many French greats according to Moncada
You didn’t remember when Milan had many French players back then? How silly of you Ted 😅