New signing Tijjani Reijnders has confirmed that he chose AC Milan over other interested clubs including Barcelona because he was convinced after a call with head coach Stefano Pioli.
Earlier today, Milan announced that Reijnders has joined the Rossoneri from AZ Alkmaar on a permanent basis with the Dutch midfielder having signed a contract with the Rossoneri until 30 June 2028.
Reijnders will wear the number 14 shirt and he joins Marco Sportiello, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Luka Romero and Christian Pulisic as the fifth summer addition, while in his first interview with Milan TV he shed some light on his excitement and his preferred role.
He also spoke to De Telegraaf about why he chose Milan given the rumours of interest from clubs across Europe, giving a revealed interview to the Dutch source.
“I chose AC Milan purely because after talking to the coach Stefano Pioli I know exactly how they think offensively and defensively,” he said.
“Here I can play in my own position, the place where I feel most comfortable. At Barça it was different. Actually, after the first time FaceTime I was immediately sold.
“Compared to AZ, I am improving both sportingly and financially, so personally I was convinced quickly. I hoped that the negotiations between AZ and Milan would also go smoothly, but they took quite a long time.
“That was also because a Premier League club suddenly exceeded AC Milan’s second offer, so that AZ asked whether that was not an option for me. But my choice for AC Milan was firm, even firm.
“Which English club was that? I’m not saying that out of respect for that club.”
“I hoped that the negotiations between AZ and Milan would also go smoothly, but they took quite a long time.
“That was also because a Premier League club suddenly exceeded AC Milan’s second offer, so that AZ asked whether that was not an option for me. But my choice for AC Milan was firm, even firm.
“Which English club was that? I’m not saying that out of respect for that club.”
Love the guy already!! FORZA MILAN
Same, I hope he performs well.
And some fans thought that we could no longer convince players to join because Maldini was gone. You get players who believe in your project and want to contribute. And apparently some players still want to come here, some will chase the high wages and other want play time.
I was stunned by Maldini’s Sacking as well and did not like how it happened. But as a fan, I want the club to do well and hope that the new administration’s vision to come to fruition. People seems to not understand that the guy who spend his money to buy Milan has his own plan and his own of doing business that may or may not align with what we want.
We should just hope for Results.
I think there was more to that story than Maldini simply demanding more money being spent. Obviously the new management is willing to spend money. Probably more just a clash of ideas on how to spend it. And I think there was some disagreement of 35 million being spent on CDK.
I’m just speculating really.
Some will still argue that Maldini already had an agreement with him.
With Reijnders???
this, I agree.. hope for the best results after the maldini saga
Makes you wonder about the position Pioli talked to him about. Barcelona play 4-3-3 and he says it doesn’t suit him…
It could be more about his role/style of play rather than the actual position on paper.
The position at Barca that didn’t suit him was the bench. Barca already has Pedri, Gavi, De Jong and Kessie plus they signed Gundogan. His chances to start there are slim, while at Milan he has high chance of starting compared to his competiton
I’m sure Xavi found a way to convince him of his importance, like he did with Kessie.
Bullseye.
spot on. wtih the euro coming players be looking to play not sit 😀
He’s guaranteed more playing time here I think. And Barcelona’s entire financial situation has been iffy the last few years.
If Milan’s finance situation were like Barca’s they’d been relegated to Serie C and given an eternal ban to all UEFA competitions. But as it’s Barca, they can do what ever they like. Like sell their broadcasting rights for the next 100 years and take another 1,5Bn€ loan.
He is a bit of a gamble but I have a good feeling. He might not be or become elite level (it’s the most probable) but I think he won’t be a disappointment either. He will be at least useful.
Great mindset and willingness from his side.
Xavi ( barca coach ) prefer playing spain player especially from catalan . In midfield xavi will prefer gavi & pedri . Small chance reijnders will get playing time there , sit on bench at age 24 with low salary are bad choice, we all know many young player sit on bench and get released after their contract expire and they are hard to get new club even free transfer at age 29 or 30 or 31
We are just adding players, not improving the team.
On the player own words: he chooses Milan after talking with Stefano Pioli.
I rest my case.
One of the ways to improve team is to actually add players. Just saying.
And not to sell our key players. We should be busy adding quality to this team’s foundation, not seeking players to fill that quality (-1 + 1 = 0). But all in all, I hope this is what Pioli wants on our mid and he can use the players effectively.
ONE key player left and perhaps 3 have already come in. How’s that not improving the team?
And also… To me, selling our key players is far more productive than letting them leave for free. Just sayin’… 🙂
Quality vs quantity. Adding numbers certainly doesn’t mean improvement. It could be but not necessarily.
Having said that, I am optimistic about the coming season. I would still prefer Maldini’s approach, it feels more solid and more ambitious in the long run but I am somehow positive on the new approach as well. We will have to be patient though, it might take a season to show off.
“Quality vs quantity. Adding numbers certainly doesn’t mean improvement.”
Hence the word “perhaps”. I could have said “5 have already come in” but I meant that out of those 5 three or at least 2 will be key players. I trust Moncada’s expertise more than that of the super-scouts of this site. 😀 😀 😀