Mark Hateley has spoken about the ‘contagious passion’ that he still feels from AC Milan fans, and what the signing of Tammy Abraham can bring to the attacking department.
It was late on deadline day that Milan announced the addition of Abraham from Roma on a season-long loan deal, while winger Alexis Saelemaekers moved the opposite way to the capital on the same terms.
Milan fans got a positive glimpse of what he can offer during the 2-2 draw with Lazio as he came off the bench to instantly set up the equaliser, and we did a deep-dive into Abraham’s strengths, weaknesses and stats.
During his first press conference, the former Chelsea man was asked about whether he is familiar with Hateley’s story, given he scored an iconic derby goal in the 1980s to end a run of bad results against Inter.
Hateley spoke to MilanNews about the signing of Abraham and the fact that his name has once again become topical as we approach the derby later in the month.
During Abraham’s press conference your name was brought up, and Abraham said he will do everything to enter the hearts of Rossoneri fans like you…
“I’m happy that he remembers me, especially because he is such a young player. It’s a return to the 80s and knowing that Milan fans still remember those days is beautiful.”
How do you rate the signing of Abraham by Milan?
“I’ve always thought of Tammy as a good player who has been held back by a few too many injuries. The only doubt is that if he appears to be fully recovered, Milan have made a great move, because he makes the right movements in attack, follows the play and is ready. And he’s a player who scores goals.”
The question is whether he will return to the form he had in his first year at Roma after the injury he suffered…
“He is 26 years old, he is in his prime and I think he can recover completely, he is a strong lad. The important thing is that he plays regularly, this can help him find his rhythm and once he finds it, for me it is a huge blow.
“It happened to me at 28, I was playing for Monaco when I got injured, it was devastating and it took me a while. But I recovered and started playing consistently again and scoring for Rangers.”
Abraham is a No.9 with different characteristics than those you had, given you were a more ‘old school’ centre-forward…
“He is strong in any case: tall, physically fit, agile and also technical. He has all the characteristics to be a number 9 because he knows how to attack the ball. I think he will do well in the red and black.
“I wish him the best and that he enters the hearts of the fans and the history of the derby by scoring a decisive goal.”
Do you have a message for Milan fans?
“My love for Milan is enormous and I still feel that this is reciprocated, even though many years have passed. I still have in my eyes the passion that the fans transmitted to you, not only on the pitch but also off it. A contagious passion.”
