AC Milan’s newest recruit, Youssouf Fofana, has offered a chance to get some insight into him as a player and person in an interview today.
Fofana’s saga can be viewed in two lights – frustration or excitement. Starting with the first, Milan held out to pay a figure which Monaco were not happy with, and it seemed as though a transfer next summer was the goal, but then there was a change, and now the Frenchman has arrived.
Some may see that as puzzling, as if the Rossoneri were willing to pay the fee, why did they not do so sooner, given the midfielder could have spent longer embedding himself into the squad, as opposed to being the reason for weeks of frustration?
Alternatively, it can be viewed with the outlook of, the Diavolo had a target and they pursued it endlessly, and eventually landed their man who was Paulo Fonseca’s top transfer target – which could show signs of the club’s trust in the manager.
Either way, the midfielder now is a Milanista, something which he had dreamt of all summer, and he could start against Parma this weekend.
Fofana spoke to Milan TV during the ‘Face Off’ series about several things, such as the player he is, and the reasoning behind taking the number 29 at the club, and his words have been relayed by Pianeta Milan.
On arriving at AC Milan…
‘It’s a dream. Everyone knows Milan. I’ve been following it for a long time, I dreamed of playing for this shirt for these fans in this mythical stadium. It’s incredible, I can’t wait to start.”
On the number 29…
“Yes and no. It was one of the numbers available and I liked it. My first number was 22, my second was 19. 22, 19, 29: that’s it. You move forward, you take a step forward.”
On the French colony at AC Milan…
“Yes, in the summer I spoke a lot with French people who play here. They spoke to me very well about the club, the stadium, and the fans and that helped me in my choice.”
On the player he was inspired by…
“I wasn’t inspired by anyone because they had different characteristics. But I admired Gattuso, and Pirlo, I liked Seedorf a lot. For me these three with Kaka in front of them. These were my four players.”
