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Arrigo Sacchi does not understand why Rasmus Hojlund would have doubts about joining AC Milan, given his situation.
Over the past few days, it has been reported that Milan and Manchester United have made good progress in talks over a deal for Hojlund, in what would be a loan with option deal. However, the final green light is getting the player himself to accept, and that is yet to happen.
Though the Manchester Evening News claimed on Monday that the Dane is now opening up to the idea of leaving Old Trafford, it doesn’t feel like the definitive moment to ‘unlock’ things has yet arrived, so much so that the Rossoneri are being linked with other strikers in the meantime.
Sacchi spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published this morning and he gave his opinion on Milan’s pursuit of Hojlund, and his doubts about making a return to Italy.
It seems Hojlund prefers to sit on the bench (or in the stands) at Manchester United rather than starting for Milan…
“So let the Rossoneri management forget about this striker and focus on those who truly want to wear the Rossoneri shirt. AC Milan must be loved; it can’t be a second-best option.”
How do you build a winning team?
“The first quality required: reliability. Then comes everything else. But if you’re not reliable, if you don’t have fire inside, if you’re not willing to sacrifice yourself for the club and your teammates, it’s better for you to stay home.”
What do you think of the Hojlund situation?
“First of all: we’re not talking about Van Basten, nor one of the best centre-forwards in Europe right now. He’s a decent player, nothing more. So, this push to acquire him seems exaggerated to me.
“However, since there’s a shortage of strikers, I understand the Rossoneri management’s desire to secure one. But he should want to come to Italy, and not act up…”
It seems, however, that he prefers the United shirt to the AC Milan one, even if the manager doesn’t hold him in high regard.
“I don’t understand his decision. If Milan calls you, you should pack your bags and get on the first plane to Malpensa. Milan is a legendary name in the world of football. I would take every player who is signed for a tour of the trophy room so they can fully understand where they ended up.
“They should be thankful for being signed, not the other way around. Do I make myself clear? The club comes first, then the player. Sure, Manchester United, for goodness’ sake, is a legendary team.
“But on one side there’s a club, Milan, that offers you a permanent position, and on the other there’s another that will do everything it can to sell you. Which would you choose?”
Hojlund, probably stung in his pride, wants to show Manchester United that he is no less than the newly acquired players…
“It could be an explanation, but sometimes following your instincts isn’t a good way to get far. I think it would have been important for Hojlund to seize the opportunity Milan offered.
“Hesitant? Unconvinced? No problem. He’ll stay where he is, and Milan will look at another player who, possibly, has the desire to wear the Rossoneri shirt.”
As happened with Modric and Jashari, people who really wanted the Rossoneri…
“Modric, at forty, after everything he’s achieved with Real Madrid, has decided to have a starring role at Milan, because for him, Milan are a historic club, famous throughout the world. And he wants to be part of this history.
“And the same goes for Jashari, who did everything he could to persuade the Club Brugge management to sell him. These are examples of players who, even with their behavior, are useful to the team’s cause.
“And it was evident from their first appearances on the pitch: they may not be in top form yet, but they’ve shown desire and determination, they’ve got into character. Hojlund, on the other hand, frowns when he hears the name Milan… Oh no! Someone like that is no good.”
You have always maintained that when it comes to buying players, you should look at their heads first, then their feet. This is proof of that…
“You can fix your feet, one way or another, with hours and hours of specific training. Your head, no. One day, in my first year at Milan, I spoke to Berlusconi and asked him to sell a boy who wasn’t behaving properly.
“The president replied: ‘But he’s involved with the national team.’ And I said: ‘I’m not interested. He’s not reliable. Would you want an unreliable collaborator in your clubs? I don’t think so, and neither do I…’ In the end, that player was sold and we replaced him with his reserve, without spending any money.”
Image: fanpage.itIf Hojlund vanishes, what should Milan do?
“I repeat: we’re not talking about Van Basten. There are other strikers who can be brought in. The important thing is that they fit the style of play the coach has in mind. The club makes the signings, but always in line with the coach’s ideas, because then it’s up to him to deal with the players.”
In your opinion, who is the right striker for Milan?
“I don’t dare give advice, but I invite everyone to reflect: a centre-forward is a key element in a team because his movements determine the entire team’s play. Therefore, the choice must be made very carefully.
“Look at Mbappé: considered the best center forward in the world, he went to Real Madrid where he won nothing, while PSG, who sold him, won the Champions League. The important thing is that the center forward is functional to the project.”
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