Samuele Ricci responded to a question about AC Milan’s need to replace Tijjani Reijnders’ goals from midfield, admitting he has ‘very different characteristics’.
On Friday, Milan officially announced that Ricci had finally signed for the club after years of links and negotiations, It was confirmed that he has been signed on a four year deal with an option for a fifth year that is in the club’s favour, and has taken the No.4 shirt.
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We analysed what can Milan fans expect from the new midfield addition in our in-depth player profile. It is believed to be a €25m operation, with €23m being the fixed fee and the rest being add-ons.
Ricci gave his first press conference since joining the club at Casa Milan on Wednesday, and while a lot of the questions were rather light-hearted he get did quite a difficult one.
Isn’t the No.4 a bit too demanding? Without making comparisons, you’re coming into a midfield that’s lost Reijnders, who scored 10 goals [in the league last season]. Where do you go to get those goals back?
“It’s definitely a challenging number, especially in a team like this. It’s a number that many champions have worn, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s a number that reflects me, it’s who I am, how I carry myself and my way of being. It’s a challenging number, but I’ll do my best to prove I’m up to it; I care a lot.
“About goals… What can I say to you (laughs)? Tijjani and I have very different characteristics. You could say he had a great season, he’s considered one of the best midfielders in the world, but I’m me and I don’t like making comparisons. I might not be able to score 10 goals, but I’m here to give to the team.”
First and foremost we need a functional midfield that will do the job, our midfield alst season was not up to.
Yep! I’m in the same boat. Ricci might not be a true DM but all I can do is hope that the combination of the players are good enough to function properly for the team (sort of like Inter tbh)
Agreed. With TJ being second in goals did not improve the team performance. Opposing teams went right up the middle. Priority is to fix the midfield, then a LB and then a second striker. Ricci was not brought in to replace TJ but to improve the midfield which in turn will improve Milan. The goals should primarily come from the front line (75% – 80%) with the rest of the goals coming from other positions.
Ricci is here to keep our defensive shape and from getting caught out on the counter. I enjoyed Reijnders and he is a stand up person but our middle field was always losing possession and duels (not his fault per se but we need different profiles). Now Tare needs to bring Lucca in, sign Modric and Jashari, and pay for Leoni to secure our CBs future.
TJ needed service. He wasn’t a ball winning midfielder.
That’s easy, our center forward and Leao did not produce the numbers we have come to expect, and I think they will this season.
Well… If he can help the defense to concede less than 30 goals per season, he doesn’t have to score +10 goals. We have Santi, Leao & Pulisic for that.