Milan legend Clarence Seedorf believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Olivier Giroud’s age is ‘not a problem’ and explains why the Rossoneri and Inter are the favourites to win the Serie A title this season.
Seedorf, a former Milan midfielder and coach, spent ten years with the Diavoli as a footballer, winning two Serie A titles and two Champions League.
He had spent two years and a half at Inter before joining the Rossoneri.
Seedorf shared the Milan dressing room with some of the best players in the history of the club, including Paolo Maldini, who is now the club’s technical director.
“We still talk to each other. Sometimes, Milan are in good hands with him,” Seedorf told Tuttosport.
“Milan are building something solid with a good mix of young and experienced players. Paolo thinks the same as me. They signed [Olivier] Giroud in the summer, so we share the same view.”
Seedorf retired at the age of 38 after spending two seasons a Botafogo.
“I’ve never believed in age. There is a biological age, but then there are fitness tests.
“I had better results at 34 than at 26, but you need to see if these things matter to coaches. Ibra and Giroud have taken care of themselves during their careers, so they are fit and can help others with their experience.
“When you have people like Ibra and Giroud on your team, you also cover something that others don’t have or haven’t lived through yet. And then it is the story of life to grow young people.”
The former midfielder believes the Rossoneri and Inter are the favourites to win the Serie A title this season.
“It’s going to be a balanced campaign, but Inter and Milan seem to have something more. It will be interesting to see how Milan deal with their Champions League duties.
“Juventus seem to have a full belly. They’ve won so much in the last ten years, so I don’t expect them to have the same desire.
“That being said, Juventus will always be competitive, but I remain convinced that those who are hungrier are favoured over those who have already won so much”.
Seedorf replaced Massimiliano Allegri when the Italian was sacked by Milan in 2014 but remained in charge for only six months.
He was in charge when the Rossoneri played their last Champions League game against Atletico Madrid that same year.
“I’m sorry it took so long to return to the Champions League. Had the club made different choices at that time, it wouldn’t take so long. However, I am still proud of what I did for Milan,” the former midfielder concluded.