Stefano Pioli explains what he expects from Milan‘s summer signings and hints that he spoke to two transfer targets over the last few days.
The Italian tactician held a press conference on Monday before Milan’s first training session of 2023-24.
“I spoke to Cardinale this morning, he wished us good luck for the new season and he motivated me,” he said.
Milan have signed Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Luka Romero but have targeted more reinforcements. Christian Pulisic will be the next one, moving to San Siro from Chelsea.
“Loftus-Cheek and Romero are motivated, they want to give a lot to this team. The quality we need more, aside from technical quality, is the motivation,” said Pioli.
“We need pace and one vs. one for the right wing and midfielders with different characteristics between them.”
The Rossoneri remain in talks with Samuel Chukwueze and Tijjani Reijnders and Pioli hinted that he has already spoken with the pair: “I don’t speak any language too well, but I hope I make myself understood.”
The 57-year-old also said he doesn’t expect new signings in defence and that Pierre Kalulu will mainly be used as a centre-back.
“I’ve confused him [Kalulu] a little, but he will start as a centre-back and if we need, he’ll play as a right-back too. If nobody leaves, I think we’ll remain like this.”
The Rossoneri failed to retain the Serie A title last season and the Italian tactician taunted journalists when asked to predict their opponents for the Scudetto in 2023-24: “They are always the same. You [journalists] make predictions and in the last two years, you got them wrong. But now it doesn’t count. It will be a long and difficult season.”
Pioli also discussed the departures of Sandro Tonali and Paolo Maldini and when asked if Zlatan Ibrahimovic could return as a club manager, he replied: “This team has also developed thanks to Ibra, but now we have players who can be leaders. We are more mature than three years ago.
“It will be a challenge to win without Ibra. He is always welcome at Milanello. I spoke to him a few days ago, I don’t know what he’ll do in his future and the club’s choices for this role.”