Arrigo Sacchi does not understand why Rasmus Hojlund would have doubts about joining AC Milan, given his situation.
Over the past few days, it has been reported that Milan and Manchester United have made good progress in talks over a deal for Hojlund, in what would be a loan with option deal. However, the final green light is getting the player himself to accept, and that is yet to happen.
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Though the Manchester Evening News claimed on Monday that the Dane is now opening up to the idea of leaving Old Trafford, it doesn’t feel like the definitive moment to ‘unlock’ things has yet arrived, so much so that the Rossoneri are being linked with other strikers in the meantime.
Sacchi spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published this morning and he gave his opinion on Milan’s pursuit of Hojlund, and his doubts about making a return to Italy.
It seems Hojlund prefers to sit on the bench (or in the stands) at Manchester United rather than starting for Milan…
“So let the Rossoneri management forget about this striker and focus on those who truly want to wear the Rossoneri shirt. AC Milan must be loved; it can’t be a second-best option.”
How do you build a winning team?
“The first quality required: reliability. Then comes everything else. But if you’re not reliable, if you don’t have fire inside, if you’re not willing to sacrifice yourself for the club and your teammates, it’s better for you to stay home.”
What do you think of the Hojlund situation?
“First of all: we’re not talking about Van Basten, nor one of the best centre-forwards in Europe right now. He’s a decent player, nothing more. So, this push to acquire him seems exaggerated to me.
“However, since there’s a shortage of strikers, I understand the Rossoneri management’s desire to secure one. But he should want to come to Italy, and not act up…”
It seems, however, that he prefers the United shirt to the AC Milan one, even if the manager doesn’t hold him in high regard.
“I don’t understand his decision. If Milan calls you, you should pack your bags and get on the first plane to Malpensa. Milan is a legendary name in the world of football. I would take every player who is signed for a tour of the trophy room so they can fully understand where they ended up.
“They should be thankful for being signed, not the other way around. Do I make myself clear? The club comes first, then the player. Sure, Manchester United, for goodness’ sake, is a legendary team.
“But on one side there’s a club, Milan, that offers you a permanent position, and on the other there’s another that will do everything it can to sell you. Which would you choose?”
Hojlund, probably stung in his pride, wants to show Manchester United that he is no less than the newly acquired players…
“It could be an explanation, but sometimes following your instincts isn’t a good way to get far. I think it would have been important for Hojlund to seize the opportunity Milan offered.
“Hesitant? Unconvinced? No problem. He’ll stay where he is, and Milan will look at another player who, possibly, has the desire to wear the Rossoneri shirt.”
As happened with Modric and Jashari, people who really wanted the Rossoneri…
“Modric, at forty, after everything he’s achieved with Real Madrid, has decided to have a starring role at Milan, because for him, Milan are a historic club, famous throughout the world. And he wants to be part of this history.
“And the same goes for Jashari, who did everything he could to persuade the Club Brugge management to sell him. These are examples of players who, even with their behavior, are useful to the team’s cause.
“And it was evident from their first appearances on the pitch: they may not be in top form yet, but they’ve shown desire and determination, they’ve got into character. Hojlund, on the other hand, frowns when he hears the name Milan… Oh no! Someone like that is no good.”
You have always maintained that when it comes to buying players, you should look at their heads first, then their feet. This is proof of that…
“You can fix your feet, one way or another, with hours and hours of specific training. Your head, no. One day, in my first year at Milan, I spoke to Berlusconi and asked him to sell a boy who wasn’t behaving properly.
“The president replied: ‘But he’s involved with the national team.’ And I said: ‘I’m not interested. He’s not reliable. Would you want an unreliable collaborator in your clubs? I don’t think so, and neither do I…’ In the end, that player was sold and we replaced him with his reserve, without spending any money.”
If Hojlund vanishes, what should Milan do?
“I repeat: we’re not talking about Van Basten. There are other strikers who can be brought in. The important thing is that they fit the style of play the coach has in mind. The club makes the signings, but always in line with the coach’s ideas, because then it’s up to him to deal with the players.”
In your opinion, who is the right striker for Milan?
“I don’t dare give advice, but I invite everyone to reflect: a centre-forward is a key element in a team because his movements determine the entire team’s play. Therefore, the choice must be made very carefully.
“Look at Mbappé: considered the best center forward in the world, he went to Real Madrid where he won nothing, while PSG, who sold him, won the Champions League. The important thing is that the center forward is functional to the project.”
“The important thing is that they fit the style of play the coach has in mind.” Exactly, and it seems Hojlund fits with what Alegri wants with counter attack which requires a lot of sprinting from the CF which is what Hojlund is best at. This is more a chance for Hojlund to play in style that suits him and restart his career than it is for Milan to get some “good” striker. It seems this guy head is not right if he prefers to sit in the stands in United and waste his career cause there is no way he is getting playing time in United with 3 other strikers better than him there.
He has been a utd. fan since childhood so obviously he is already at his dream destination and would like to stay there. I really don’t think that there is anything wrong with this and as a person he seems rather levelheaded and we would also praise players for having the same stance if the roles was reversed.
From what I been reading in Danish media though he seems to be more open to the move now.
In the end though there really isn’t many players if any who can be compared to Van Basten in my view.
Martin staying where he isn’t wanted is like going after a girl that doesn’t want you. Its a waste of time. At best he can be like Origi if he stays there, just taking a paycheck till his contract runs out. But why do that to himself at 22 when he can actually have a career. Sometimes we need to accept that dreams don’t work out and move on. I recently read somewhere that idealism is a form of addiction too.
I get that but things can nevertheless quickly change with the right mindset and fighting for ones chances. For what we knows some of his competitors could end up long term injured or performing badly so there can always be an opening for a player. I don’t know who have said that but unless one strives towards some ideals what is it all worth then. Not everything is up for grabs in my view and selling out of ones ideals is some of the worst people can do in my book but as I said in my initial post then Højlund seems more open to the move according to reports in Danish media and probably also because he realize he could lose his spot in the national team.
It’s meant idealism in the sense of everything needed to be perfect. If United doesn’t want him i doubt he will ever get a chance, as 4th striker is hard to see even injuries of others giving him a chance. I think he had his chance in United already and it didn’t work out at all. Thats why they want to offload him now even on loan just to get him of the salary bill. I made another post on another article, where i said i think he will ruin his career by staying there. But in the end its his call.
Yeah I get that idealism can be used in various ways and I also understand that the world isn’t perfect but I find it fully understandable striving for it. I do believe though that he will leave utd. but whether it will be for us only time will tell but I could see him do well with us and wouldn’t oppose the deal if its a loan with an option.
Ok, so go convince him. The point is that that’s where his head is at. Just like being somewhere you aren’t wanted is a waste of time, trying to convince someone to come to us that doesn’t want to come (your own girl analogy) is a waste of time. Move on from Hojlund.
Leave this dude and go get the Genk striker and we are good, Tolu has a good frame, he is fast and can offer better ariel threat.
Why am I not surprised 😒
Young, physical, aerial threat, sprint-star and independent goal – Arokodare
I love Sacchi words. We are not talking of Van Baste. Marco Van Basten.
I would rather play without a striker than having this guy in Milan.
In the history of football Man U is not better than Milan but I understand he said Man U is his boyhood club BUT WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT MARCO VAN BASTEN. My legend
Excellent Arrigo! You are a legend and your words should count a lot!!!
I like his words: sell all the players who haven’t behavior properly and then replace it with the reserve player. No need to spend more money. That’s why lots of Milan primavera players develop from sacchi term. actually Milan no need buy players like athekame / estupinan etc. milan primavera players only need game time. They have the talents.
Sounds like he’s getting other offers. Don’t blame him if he ends up taking a multi year deal rather than bouncing from team to team like Joao Felix.
which milan player he talking?can give name?
GIMENEZ is far better than both of them
Now im curious as who that player Sacchi wasnt happy at and getting end up sold??
Agree at this comment 100% and i wrote before few days,i hope we dont take Hojlund. He is not good at all he gave 15 goals at last 2 years 😂😂😂 and je thinking if true Milan ask him to come here 😂😂
I will not take him even not have any attacker at club.
I think Pulisic will score more goals then Hojlind if put Pulisic at no.9 😂
Seeing all these comments makes me proud as a Milan fan!! Martin and Rossi, thanks for your mature argument and analysis. I’m of the opinion that Hojlund should be allowed to follow his heart. If he wants to stay Milan should look for an alternative because right now we don’t have a lot of space to tolerate “low-mentality” players who just want to jug and get paid. This season should be one of resurrection for Milan, and we don’t need any baggage that will weigh us down. Hojlund has experience in seria a, but without passion for the Milan shirt it will just be another transaction on paper. Let’s hope for the best , forza Milan!! Jesus Christ loves you all!!
Tnx, God bless you too. I also agree that we should look elsewhere if the player has no passion for the Milan shirt.
Whoa, weird
I am sorry to read that the old champion, inspired the best coaches we have to day.
He talks without having the facts.
It is not that he does not want to go to Milan…
He want a permanent move. He dont want to be a another club for a year, and then return to Manchester.
If we would offer him a real contract, he would be very quick to take a desision.
So, again, shame he talks without facts.
Well, who would risk giving him a good contract at the moment? he has not performed well so far, so it is logical that a team interested in his potential, would first try him out.