Arrigo Sacchi has praised AC Milan’s signing of Alvaro Morata and admitted that he likes some of the links that are currently doing the rounds in the media.
Pressure is once again beginning to dial up amid what has been a slow start to the summer mercato for the Rossoneri. Aside from the signing of Morata from Atletico Madrid, the incoming operations currently seem to be experiencing an impasse that is starting to frustrate fans.
However, there is also the feeling that things could move this week. Gerry Cardinale is in Italy and held a ‘marathon meeting’ with the management yesterday, while various sources claim ground is being made in the pursuits of Strahinja Pavlovic, Youssouf Fofana and Lazar Samardzic.
Sacchi spoke during a column for La Gazzetta dello Sport about various aspects of the Milan mercato including the addition of Morata and the names that continue to be heavily linked.
“Milan are trying to close for midfielder Fofana, after securing Morata, and continue to pursue Pavlovic. Operations that are acceptable as long as they have been agreed with the coach,” he began.
“The Rossoneri certainly needed some elements to complete the departments, but the rule always applies according to which, if you think you can win by buying only players, you are on the wrong path.
“Teams are not built by putting together stickers, but by giving an identity, a style, a game to the whole group. This is what I expect from Fonseca. Atalanta, this year, conquered the Europa League without spending stratospheric figures: it is the demonstration that work and ideas, in the long run, always pay off.
“I think that signing Morata, obviously if it is Fonseca’s wish (but I think there can be no doubt about that…), was an excellent move. The Spaniard is a lively centre-forward, who moves a lot on all fronts, who knows Italian football and, above all, who knows what needs to be done to win.
“He can be important on the pitch and in the dressing room, given his experience at international level: we must not forget that he is the captain of the Spain team that has just won the European title. It seems to me that Milan is working slowly to secure the players they have put under observation.
“I have already said it on other occasions: I do not intend to judge Fonseca based only on his last seasons. I hope he is up to the role they have entrusted him. A task of great responsibility, because coaching Milan is a difficult job, which gives considerable prestige and at the same time requires maximum commitment.
“The advice I can give to the directors is to follow the coach’s instructions on the market. The Rossoneri must bring in reliable and functional elements for the game that Fonseca intends to develop. I repeat the two adjectives, so there are no misunderstandings: reliable and functional. If one of these qualities is missing, then it is no good.
“The important thing is that Fonseca, in this period of negotiations, does not close his eyes and does not settle for who they bring him: that would be a very serious mistake. He must be vigilant and, if necessary (but I hope this does not happen), dig in his heels.
“The most important objective, for Milan, is to have a style. And a game can only be achieved if you have ideas and if you have the right interpreters to develop it. I will give you an example that comes from my experience: when I arrived at Milan and I looked into the eyes of Tassotti, Maldini, Baresi, Ancelotti, Filippo Galli, I told myself that we could build something great.
“As players I knew what they were capable of, but at that moment, at the first contact, I got to know them as men and they conveyed seriousness and security to me. We wonder, and the fans are right to ask, whether Milan is already ready to attempt the climb towards the Scudetto.
“I’m honest: I think Inter are a little further ahead, because they just won the title and because they have been working with the same coach and the same group for three years. However, I am convinced that, if the Rossoneri do the right things, then they will have the opportunity to skip ahead and accomplish something extraordinary.
“We did it like this: my Milan, which in the previous season had finished fifth in the standings, won the title at the first attempt. And then the Champions League, the Intercontinental Cup and so on… Projects must always be ambitious.
“The fundamental aspect is that the work has its strong point in the club, from the club the ideas and philosophy must be transmitted to the coach and the team. No selfishness, everyone on the pitch in the name of the collective. This is the rule if you want to go far.
“Milan fans expect a lot because they have had a lot: they have seen great play with me, with Capello, with Ancelotti and with other coaches. It is logical that they want to retrace the path of glory and Fonseca’s new team has the duty to guarantee spectacle and emotions.”