Read every word Zlatan Ibrahimovic said during Paulo Fonseca’s unveiling about a ‘different reality’ in the Joshua Zirkzee deal, two first-team players out of the project and Theo Hernandez’s future.
Red Bird advisor Ibrahimovic, who is working closely with Milan club directors joined new Rossoneri boss Fonseca for his first press conference on Monday.
The former striker confirmed that Milan is no longer in the race for Zirkzee. According to several sources, the Dutch forward is on the verge of joining Manchester United.
Ibrahimovic revealed that Divock Origi and Fodé Ballo-Touré will train with Milan Futuro, the Rossoneri’s youth team playing in Italy’s third division as they are not part of the club’s plans for the future.
The ex-Sweden international also spoke about Theo Hernandez’s future after the Frenchman said he’d see if he would remain at the club beyond the summer.
Lastly, he sent a message to the Rossoneri supporters saying that everyone at the club is on the same page and wants to win a trophy as soon as possible.
Here’s every word Ibra said during today’s press conference.
WELCOME – “Welcome to Paulo Fonseca. This is the first day of activity at Milanello. We will talk about the present today. A few days ago, we spoke about the future. We are happy to unveil Fonseca today. It’s part of our ideas and our strategy. We are studying many things that will come. We are in no rush. We are motivated and we have a great desire to start this new adventure.”
THEO – “He is a Milan player. We are lucky to have three players in the Euro semis. He’s a Milan player. We know he’s happy here. His family is happy. He’ll have more space to play as he wants with a new coach and a new identity. This will be built for him too.”
TWO PLAYERS OUT – “Origi and Ballo-Touré are called up, but for Milan Futuro. They will not be part of the first team.”
REDUCE INJURIES – “It’s not about the coach and the staff. We changed the medical department when we had many injuries and we were not satisfied. We think we have found the right path.”
FANS – “I understand that fans want to win, but we are on the same page. We do anything to satisfy the fans with the same ambition. Everyone in Milan knows the club’s ambition to win. There is no guarantee, but we are all in the same boat, and we want to go ahead together to get there. God didn’t create the world in a day. It took him seven days. This is the first one.”
NEW PLAYERS – “In order to bring players, you must have space. We don’t want 30 players, we want 23. More players will come, but as I already said, we need space. We must focus on those who arrive and those who leave. It’s not only about new signing. Tt’s not American football with 40-50 players.”
JOVIC PLUS TWO MORE STRIKERS? – “As I said, we must find a solution for those who won’t have space. As for three strikers, one is Mister X, that one is certain. Then, it depends on the situation. Jovic is with us already. As I said, we want to have a player who will be used in a positive way and who isn’t here to lose time. Three strikers are possible; nothing is impossible.”
ZIRKZEE – “As I said before, we are studying, but we are in no hurry. The transfer window is long, and I promise we’ll get new signings. We are talking, but nothing is close. Zirkzee is the past. As Paulo said, we have a player in mind, I won’t say his name. There is somebody, let’s see.
DISAPPOINTED BY ZIRKZEE AGENT? – “Not disappointed, never. It’s part of football. Agents create and solve problems. But this was not the case now. In this case, reality and truth were different. In terms of what we know and what we want, we have an idea. Hopefully, we’ll get it as soon as possible.”