Jean-Pierre Papin spoke highly about Mike Maignan, suggested that Rafael Leao shouldn’t leave Milan for Chelsea and looked ahead to tomorrow’s clash with Napoli.
The Rossoneri are preparing for one of their most important games of the season against the Partenopei tomorrow, a match which could prove key in a title race this season. Things have started well in Lombardy and the reigning champions are currently tied at the top with Napoli and Atalanta.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Papin first discussed the qualities of Maignan, who shined in his debut campaign with Milan.
“Right now Maignan is the best goalkeeper in the world. He always makes two or three incredible saves per game, and then he never makes mistakes, he has the regularity of the greats.
“He was already strong at Lille, but the move to Milan made him make the leap in quality. The future is his, also in the national team.”
He gave his thoughts on Leao’s future and why he should stay with Milan instead of joining Chelsea.
“Maldini said that if he wants to become even stronger he must stay? I agree with Paolo. Leao must look at Chelsea’s squad and ask himself: ‘How much space would I find as a starter?’
“At Milan he is untouchable, he knows how to express himself and he knows his teammates perfectly, staying and growing in the Rossoneri is the best choice.”
The former Olympique Marseille and Milan forward spoke highly about French veteran Olivier Giroud.
“The more difficult the match, the greater the chance he scores. Deschamps did well to recall him to the national team. I heard that he complained a bit after the substitution against Dinamo Zagreb because he would like to play all the time.
“It’s a wonderful sign, it means desire, passion, hunger, it’s the engine that allows him to be decisive even at 35. Olivier lives by confidence, he knows what he can give and how, the more the bar is raised, the more decisive he becomes.”
Papin touched on if Giroud can become a top veteran like Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“Zlatan is a phenomenon to be studied. For a centre forward nowadays it’s more and more complicated to hold up at a high level when they get older. I stopped when I realised I couldn’t shoot like before, when I wasn’t jumping higher than my opponents…
“Giroud must manage himself wisely, he must be aware that he’ll play less and turn this in his favour. If he doesn’t ask too much of his body he can maintain certain standards. Follow Pioli, who is proving to be an exceptional manager of men.”
Finally, Papin looked ahead to Milan’s key clash with Napoli, a match worth six points in a title race.
“I think Milan are the favourites. They’re a complete team, enriched by the experience of success and not yet in top condition, when they grow, the rhythms will rise even in Europe. Today they have a calmness that was not always seen last year.
“The management of the moments of the match is like a top club, they know when to accelerate and when to lower the pace. The absence of Leao will weigh heavily, it is useless to hide it. Leao is the dragging force, he has speed, imagination and scores important goals, like in the derby.
“At the same time I say that Napoli can be beaten even without him, they play at home, in the squad Pioli has many solutions and Spalletti will miss Osimhen.”