Pioli questioned on fear of losing Kessie and lack of a signing for the playmaker role

AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli gave little away when asked about what the future might hold for Franck Kessie, and also discussed the playmaker position.

Kessie is under contract until June 2022 and after initial optimism filtered over the quick resolution of a potential renewal, things have gone quiet amid reports the Ivorian has raised his requests and there is still no agreement imminent between the parties.

Pioli spoke to the journalists who gathered at the Milanello press conference room to answer their questions ahead of tomorrow night’s game, and he was asked if he is afraid of losing Kessie.

“Right now my focus is only on tomorrow’s match, as far as renewals are concerned, there are still important days to go. The evaluations at the end, but we are very attentive to the newspapers. The evaluations come at the end of the market,” he said (via MilanNews).

Pioli was also questioned about the lack of a signing for the role of playmaker, given that Hakan Calhanoglu’s departure means that an intervention was needed in the market, despite the fact that Brahim Diaz secured his return to the club.

“I think our improvement will have to come from reading situations better. We have to manage the ball well and find numerical superiority. It is a discourse that goes beyond the individual player, it is a reading of team that we must have in the last quarter of the pitch,” he said.

“We have quality players who can make the play, I am not so convinced that Cagliari will play the same game as last year. We will have to be good at being effective, fast and precise when we find the right opening. It is growth that must come through the correct reading of the various situations on the pitch.”

Based on the widespread reports doing the rounds at the moment, it seems Romain Faivre is the main target for the No.10 role.

READ MORE: The ‘perfect’ game and revenge on Liverpool – Ranking Milan’s seven Champions League final wins