Boban: “Milan are in a gradual process, Rebić has lots of character and lots of strength, we didn’t find the economic conditions for Correa and we never got to concrete things with Modrić”

Zvonimir Boban spoke to the press after finishing his first mercato as a director.

The transfer window officially shut down last night and Milan completed it with the signing of Ante Rebić from Eintracht, sending André Silva the other way.

It was the first mercato that was led by Technical Director Paolo Maldini and by Chief Football Officer Zvonimir Boban. The Rossoneri signed six new players and strengthened the squad of Giampaolo.

“It was a heavy mercato, I hope that FIFA will shorten it a bit. These dates stress the team, stress the coach, players go and players come,” Boban said in an interview with Sky Italia.

“Rebić? He is a player with lots of character and lots of strength. He can play different roles and he’s shown that he knows how to play at the highest levels. He can play as a winger, as a second striker or even as a ‘free-striker’, without giving points of reference. In short, you can use him in many positions. He’s a serious guy who’s grown up a lot, also technically. Speed and shooting was there, but he’s made a lot of progress. We’re happy that he’s with us.

“It was a mercato of young players? The business strategy is that. But this is Milan. Young players are good, but they must be accompanied by players with experience and strength. We have some in the squad and some young players who have become leaders, it’s a nice mix. We have many young players, perhaps it would’ve been good to have a few more experienced guys. We are convinced that we’ll improve a lot. Our game will also improve and Milan will return to where they need to be. But we’re in a gradual process. Milanisti have been waiting for a long time. Neither Paolo nor I want to wait so long to make great things happen. We cannot accept have to navigate in mid-table. We must have the right ambitions. You don’t get to the levels where you once were in one day.

“Luka Modrić and Ángel Correa? Luka is a great Milanista, he’s an extraordinary player but he was improbable. He may have been passionate about coming but we never got to concrete things. He didn’t want to leave Real Madrid after a bad season and credit to him. We didn’t find the economic conditions for Correa. We negotiated with other players in the same position. Who knows if in the technical developments the choice we made is not a good one… we’ll see, we have a good squad. We will see over time if we’ve done well or badly, but we believe that there are players who will become important.

“Elliott? I didn’t hear from them at all [laughs]. We worked hard during this transfer market. We organized ourselves, we wanted to give an important sign of improving the structure and improving. A player of €100m alone does not change your team.”