Milan coach Paulo Fonseca confirms that Milan won’t sign any other player after Youssouf Fofana but insists that the Rossoneri must sell: ‘It is not easy to work with many players.’
Milan have reached an agreement to sign French midfielder Fofana from Monaco. The 25-year-old will land in Milan on Friday evening and will be unveiled to the press on Saturday, hours before Milan’s first game of the season against Torino at San Siro.
Fonseca said in his first pre-match press conference that he’s had “positive feelings” since the very first day of pre-season.
“We are ready and confident, with great ambition,” said the Portuguese as quoted by TMW.
“We want to play with our identity and show it to our fans. It was hard to imagine these feelings after just five weeks of work. I am very confident for tomorrow.”
Fonseca admitted that Milan were among the clubs in the front row to win the Scudetto.
“There was a significant change. I am not saying we are in the first place [to win the title], but we are close to the first place in this race.
“Inter have been very strong in the last two seasons. They reached a Champions League Final two years ago and deservedly won the title last season,” continued Fonseca.
“Other teams have the same objective. Napoli, Juventus and Atalanta can fight for the title. We believe that we can be in the race against a very strong team. Inter have kept the same players in the last few years, they’ve kept the same coach, but we believe in our ambitions.”
Fonseca says Milan transfer window ‘closed’ after latest signing and drops Kalulu hint
What does he expect from Fofana?
“I’m waiting for medical tests, then I’ll talk,” he replied.
“I can only say that I am happy with the summer signings.
“The market is close with Fofana. He’s the fourth signing, and some players must leave now. We have many, and it’s not easy to work with a lot of players.”
Does this mean that Pierre Kalulu will join Juventus?
“I don’t want to mention anyone directly, but I’ve already talked to those who have more chances to play regularly. I told the others that their chances of getting playing time are reduced.”
One of Milan’s new summer signings, Strahinja Pavlović, is not expected to start tomorrow as he’s not been training with the team for enough time. The same is true of Netherlands international Tijjani Reijnders.
“Pavlovic and Reijnders are not in the best condition to start tomorrow,” said Fonseca.
“The first game is always tricky. Torino have changed their coach and I know him [Paolo Vanoli] well. They have a clear organisation, especially in defence, and they have quality with the ball.
“Even if we want to win and start well, I expect a tough game. We are motivated. We know it will be different from the latest friendlies against Barcelona, City and Real Madrid. Torino don’t leave open space like they do. We expect a more defensive team that is ready to counterattack.”
Could Fonseca start Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze behind a centre forward?
“I thought and tried it, but I don’t know if they’ll play tomorrow,” admitted the Portuguese.
“Chukwueze is fit, Pulisic is playing in a role he really likes. Jovic’s pre-season was pretty good too. Loftus-Cheek can play as an attacking midfielder, we have many solutions.”
Lastly, Fonseca spoke about his move to San Siro from Lille.
“I joined Milan at the right moment in my career. The Roma experience gave me a lot, and if I could choose a moment to coach a top club like Milan, it would be now,” he concluded.