Ignazio Abate says Milan can't keep 'floating in mediocrity', but hopes Silvio Berlusconi won't sell the club.
The full-back has turned into the most veteran Rossonero since the departure of Christian Abbiati, but he is not afraid of the burden that comes with the role.
“I've never shied away from responsibilities,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I think I'm a reference point for the group now, as my teammates can tell that I live for this profession and that I want to set an example for the younger players.
Ignazio Abate says Milan can't keep 'floating in mediocrity', but hopes Silvio Berlusconi won't sell the club.
The full-back has turned into the most veteran Rossonero since the departure of Christian Abbiati, but he is not afraid of the burden that comes with the role.
“I've never shied away from responsibilities,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I think I'm a reference point for the group now, as my teammates can tell that I live for this profession and that I want to set an example for the younger players.
“This team isn't bad. It has technical and moral value. It's a group that can't stay out of Europe, and it's a shame that there should be players who only perform at 60-70 per cent of their potential.
“Milan can't keep floating in mediocrity, not when there are only two-three teams that I believe are superior to ours. Perhaps less than that, actually, considering the player Napoli just lost,” he said, in reference to Gonzalo Higuain's transfer to Juventus.
The Diavolo have been largely blocked on the transfer market as the sale of the club to a Chinese conglomerate remains pending.
“Yes, but this cannot be an excuse for us. We've had far too many of those in the last few years.
“Having said that, we're all awaiting developments, because it's not clear whether Berlusconi will end up selling. I feel sorry for [joint-CEO Adriano] Galliani, whose hands are tied on the market.
“But I'd just like to say that if the club is sold, the new owners will have to be extremely clear on the club's objectives, and explain immediately what the strategies are going to be.
“Obviously I'd prefer it if Berlusconi remained. I started out with him and with Galliani. Who knows, he may choose not to sell in the end, he has a thousand resources and he makes it a habit of surprising us.
“If Milan really end up in Chinese hands, it would be a paradigm shift. One way or another, though, a decision has to be made. We've been dancing around it for too long, and we've been blocked in the meantime.”