Tijjani Reijnders was one of the better examples of AC Milan working smartly in the mercato recently. Indeed, the Dutchman did well for the club and was sold for a profit.
In recent years, Milan’s failings in the mercato have been more common than would have been hoped. Indeed, the club have fallen way below the standard expected, but since RedBird’s arrival, they have spent more than any other Serie A club.
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So, it is a problem with those making the recruitments, not those financing them.
Reijnders is one of the rare examples of a success in the mercato from recent years and he remains a regret. Indeed, the midfielder was sold after signing a renewal and many feel that he was not sold for enough.
Reijnders on his Milan experience
Speaking to the Players’ Tribune, Reijnders looked at how he joined the Rossoneri and then the experience itself.
“Dad encouraged me and told me that for every shot on goal, he would give me 50 euros. I scored six goals that season and two were in the playoffs to qualify for the Conference. The following year we managed to qualify for the competition and I took my wife to Zanzibar, dad called me and told me that Milan wanted me.
“They scheduled a call for 7 pm on Saturday, June 24th. I was on a safari, it was endless and I almost missed it, blocked by two buffaloes. The call from Pioli and Moncada arrived on FaceTime with 10% battery left . Luckily my wife arrived with the power bank. Shortly afterward we almost got chased by another buffalo.”
Playing for Milan…
“I’m honoured to have played at San Siro with that team. I get goosebumps just thinking about it: the fans, the atmosphere, the dinners, the smoke bombs in the stadium, and the way you’re treated—it’s all incredible.
“I remember that during a match where we were winning by a landslide, I looked around and the chant started, ‘It’s an emotion, it slowly builds up…’. You can’t get it out of your head.
“During the medical, I thought it would be too much for me, I didn’t deserve it. Instead, in September, the call from the Dutch national team also came. The first season went well and we were fighting for the Scudetto, the second less so.
“At Milan, I would have liked to win more than one Super Cup, the fans deserved it; but when City called, even my wife told me I couldn’t miss that train.”
It has been reported that he could leave Manchester City already and the Diavolo have been suggested as an option. If he wants to win more than the Supercoppa Italiana, he would be welcomed back to try do more.
