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AC Milan had been linked to Adrien Rabiot all summer, but the Frenchman only arrived, at least officially, on the final day.
Yesterday was Rabiot day, a weird situation considering he signed for Milan on deadline day. However, a conveniently placed international break meant that the Frenchman had to wait to arrive at his new home, back in Italy.
So, the media duties were done today, after a day of tests and training at Milanello yesterday, which have reportedly left the club impressed. In fact, he could even start in Sunday’s game at San Siro, against Bologna.
Rabiot speaks… again
Things could have been very different, given there were constant rebuttals to reports of interest from the Diavolo. However, a row at Marseille led to him being transfer-listed, and now, after several attempts, Milan have their midfielder.
Though it seems it may not have been possible without the work of Massimiliano Allegri, but is this a shock? This evening, the Frenchman spoke to DAZN about the move, as MilanNews relays.
You’ve arrived with 24 hours to go until the end of the transfer window. Can you tell us how the negotiations went?
“I spoke to the coach while my mom spoke to the director. Everything was done quickly to wrap things up; it was the last day. I went to Paris for the national team, had my medicals there, and signed there. Then, after the national team, I came straight here.”
The first person who called you was Allegri, right?
“The coach called me this summer, even before I joined Milan. We have this relationship. When he arrived in Milan, he wanted to know about my situation.”
What made you choose Milan?
“It’s a great club with an incredible history, one of the best clubs in the world. It wasn’t difficult to choose Milan. Then the coach also convinced me, it’s true, to come here.”
What did he tell you to convince you?
“That there was a major project, over two, three, or four years: we need strong players to return to the Champions League, fight for the league title, and achieve great things. I was immediately interested, so everything happened quickly.
“I didn’t have time to think about it. Playing for AC Milan, wearing this jersey, is something important. Plus, I know Italy well; I felt comfortable here before. It’s great to come back and play.”
Did you miss Italy?
“Yes. I spent five years in Italy, I had a great time, I like living here, the people here. Football is important here too… I missed all of that.”
Who was the first to welcome you at Milanello yesterday?
“I saw the whole staff, I saw Alberto [Marangon]. Then I saw the coach and the players. I know all the staff who work with the coach well, and they were all very happy. It was exciting.”
What was it like reuniting with Maignan? Did he contribute to your arrival at Milan?
“When he heard the transfer rumours, he also called me right away to say, ‘Come to Milan.’ But he’s been telling me to come to Milan for a few years now. When he was more concrete, he asked me if there was anything he could do to help me, if I needed to know anything.
“He’s a friend I’ve known for years. At PSG, we didn’t have the opportunity to play together because he left immediately, so I’m happy to play together like this.”
Who is the happier of the two?
“He’s happy to have me here, and to have reunited with Nkunku: he also grew up in the PSG youth academy. It’s also nice for him to have French players in the dressing room. But I’m also happy to be here.”
What does playing alongside Modric mean to you?
“He’s a football legend. He’s done so many great things, he won the Ballon d’Or… From what I’ve heard and seen already yesterday, he’s a great person. He’s also an extraordinary player on the pitch. Playing with him will be great.
“I hope I can achieve great things with him. Overall, I think we have a great team, a mix of young and experienced players.”
The next match will be against Bologna, but our thoughts are on Juve-Milan. Have you imagined what the return to the Stadium will be like?
“It’s true that I spent five years at Juventus, and for me it was an important part of my career. That’s also why I have fond memories of Italy. I did great things here at Juve, but now I’m a Milan player.
“I don’t want to forget the past, because it’s important, but now I have to focus on Milan. On what I have to do to help the team and the club. It’s also clear that it will be exciting to return to play against Juventus, which remains part of my life and my career.
You were saddened by Allegri’s dismissal, and you didn’t hide it. Did you make a sort of promise to work together again?
“We’ve never talked about the future after my time at Juventus, but we’ve always been in touch. He often goes to Monaco, and we’ve had the chance to meet. I’ve always gotten along very well with him; we understand each other and have the same mentality and ambition.
“We want to win, to do things well, and I really identify with his vision. His presence here was very important in getting me here. But the club comes first, which is a fantastic club. These two things, combined, influenced my arrival here.”
Where do you think this group can go?
“It’s a strong group. There’s a good mix of young and experienced players, but there’s definitely a lot of talent. How far can we go? I can’t say that right now. We need to get to know each other better and contribute something in the locker room.
“There have been a lot of changes in terms of players, and we need to recreate something in the locker room. But the quality and ambition are there. We need to play well, win, and find the right confidence.
“Then, in February-March, we’ll see where we are to decide what our real goals are. For now, we need to focus on the present and win as many games as possible.”
How did you feel welcomed by the fans?
“They welcomed me well. It wasn’t like in Marseille, where there were so many fans. I also had a good impression of the club staff. They were all very kind to me. You feel like there’s a family here, and it’s important for a player to feel that kind of warmth.”
The first year you arrive at Juve, you win the Scudetto. It’s not like this year…
“I’d like to win it with AC Milan too. It’s true that we won the Scudetto at Juve in our first year, but we couldn’t celebrate it as we would have liked due to COVID. It’s clear that I’d like to win it again here at AC Milan, and I’ll do everything I can to get there.”
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