Serginho spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport, advising Milan to invest in a #10.
After illuminating San Siro for 9 intense seasons – from 1999 to 2008, becoming Campione d’Italia, d’Europe and del Mondo – today Serginho works as an agent for Alessandro Lucci’s World Soccer Agency, overseeing South America.
“I have a perfect name for Milan, one that could solve the number 10 problem,” Serginho told La Gazzetta dello Sport’s Stefano Cantalupi. “Me. But 20 years younger! [Laughs]”.
So you are a candidate for Milan’s ‘10’, Serginho. But weren’t you a fullback?
“I was kidding, it’s just that I like atypical players, capable of doing many things. And in that role Milan needs to strengthen.”
Is that where you would use most of the budget for the mercato?
“Yes. If I had to say what was missing from last season’s squad, I would focus on a central trequartista, and on a more mobile striker than Giroud, who is however, very good inside the penalty area.”
Give us some names, then…
“Origi has been taken as a forward, before judging he will have to be seen in action. I’ll go back to the ‘10’ then and say Ziyech. He prefers to play wider but he is versatile and has strokes of genius.”
No Brazilian?
“Not until they’ve recovered the spirit and imagination that is typical of my country. The Brazilians are too ‘Europeanized’, if you’ll pardon the term. At Milan, in the past, they imposed themselves because they didn’t distort themselves.”
What would someone like Ziyech add to a team that has established playing mechanisms?
“He would break through closed defenses. It’s no coincidence that Milan suffered most often at San Siro, against opponents who didn’t concede space.”
The ‘can opener’ has been Leão, most of the time…
“Rafa will still be the key man next season. He was fundamental for the Scudetto. And from his future we’ll also understand the plans of the new Milan ownership.”
In what sense?
“Such a talent needs to be retained, only in this way does the winning mentality of a club grow. If, on the other hand, he does not renew and is sold then it would mean that business comes first.”
In this regard, the confirmation of Maldini and Massara in the sporting area should be a guarantee…
“They were the architects of the Scudetto, together with Pioli. I would also add Moncada, who has worked well in scouting.”
Did the last-minute signing on the new contracts surprise you?
“A little, but I was sure it would end like that. It’s impossible to imagine a Milan without Paolo today.”
The confirmation of the directors, in fact, kicked off the 2022-23 Milan. Where will they go from here?
“Hard to say now, first the mercato must be concluded. I’m convinced, however, that they will climb another step and complete a further step of growth.”
So much so that they will also be a protagonist in the Champions League?
“The objective must be to get through the Group Stage, improving on what done last year.”
Forbidden to dream bigger?
“Dreaming is always good, but let’s be honest – the gap with the top European teams is still there. Milan has strengthened but is a step behind clubs like Liverpool and Real Madrid.”
Where are the main differences?
“One above all: the depth of the squad. The stronger teams take advantage of substitutions without losing too much quality; in the long run this affects them.”
Would you focus your efforts on the hunt for the second star then?
“Milan’s DNA is international, you know that. To reconfirm themselves as Campioni d’Italia and cross that finish line before Inter, though, would be a great thing.”
Is the Diavolo still ahead of everyone in Serie A?
“Inter and Juventus have strengthened a lot, but titles are not won on paper. If it were then the Champions League would almost always end up in Paris.”
As for purchases, Monza are not joking either…
“When they challenge Milan, I will have my heart split because there are people like Berlusconi and Galliani there, who have been important to me. I just heard from Adriano today, he is very excited. Believe me: he is rejuvenated by about 30 years…”
like i said more than half decade ago during banter era, sign playmaker goddammit