Daniele Bonera is “ready” for a World Cup call, expects Mario Balotelli to prove himself and can see Clarence Seedorf as Milan Coach.
The veteran defender missed most of the season with a knee injury, but has returned and helped shore up the leaky Rossoneri back four.
Daniele Bonera is “ready” for a World Cup call, expects Mario Balotelli to prove himself and can see Clarence Seedorf as Milan Coach.
The veteran defender missed most of the season with a knee injury, but has returned and helped shore up the leaky Rossoneri back four.
“What does 2014 mean to me? The desire to climb back up with Milan and the rest would follow as a consequence,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Just three months ago I had a fractured kneecap and if you’d asked me if I was thinking about the World Cup then, I’d have burst out laughing. Now I might smile instead. Cesare Prandelli was my Coach at Brescia, so he knows me and where to find me. If he wants me to go to Brazil, then I am ready.”
Bonera’s Milan teammate Balotelli is expected to be Italy’s star player in that tournament, though his inconsistency is still proving to be a problem.
“Can 2014 be Balotelli’s year? It all depends on Mario. I think the moment has come for him to put this desire to prove himself the best into practice.
“Injuries are a big reason for our last few horrible months, but cannot be an alibi, nor can the situation within the club hierarchy. Unfortunately the moment of change in the club coincided with a lack of results, but there is no correlation.
“We all know that we are worth more than this. We’ve got half a season left to prove it.”
Coach Massimiliano Allegri has already confirmed he will leave Milan at the end of the season and Seedorf is the hot favourite to take over, even though his playing career is continuing at Botafogo.
“Clarence was my teammate and his locker was next to mine for many years,” smiled Bonera.
“I can judge him as a player, but as a Coach he is a mystery. There are examples of successful quick moves from the pitch to the bench, such as Roberto Mancini.
“Allegri brought a sense of balance, as he never changed his attitude during success or defeat. I understand the poor results of the last few months are fresh in the mind, but we cannot forget the last three years. Allegri did a good job.
“Will I become a Coach? I don’t know, that seems a decision I won’t make for a while. I have a contract until 2015 and to be honest I’d like to keep playing a bit more.”