Massimiliano Mirabelli says there are no ‘flops’ in this team and ruled out further investments or big sales in January.
The winter mercato is open but Milan, in sharp contrast from the start of the summer window, have stayed very quiet.
And according to director of sport Massimiliano Mirabelli, the Diavolo are not expecting anything big this month as their sole focus is selling unused players.
“Compared to June and July this month has been a holiday so far? Well, so-so, maybe not a holiday,” Mirabelli said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Let’s say that you always work, but on different things. A bringing up to date remains a constant factor and this weekend for example I will be in Germany to watch some matches.
“If there’s therefore a name in my notebook? I’m talking about a bringing up to date, not about the market. We will not do anything, and I tell you this as official information. There could be some movements in sales, but small things. The names are those that are making the rounds and the one that has the most concrete demand is Gustavo Gomez from Boca Juniors.
“A Kessié alternative is needed in the squad? The reasoning is there, but I ask you: after having purchased 11 players [in the summer], are we sure that getting a 12th player would be the right choice? In the summer it was an important market, but I don’t miss it, there is time for everything. I think we have the solution at home already [for a Kessié alternative]: for example, Montolivo.
“Our imperative is the enhancement of the existing squad. If in hindsight Milan could’ve saved some money in the summer considering there are some players who underperform despite huge economic investments? The figures do not seem excessive to me. We didn’t overpay for anyone and I’ll tell you more than this: if, in pure theory, we were to put some of the new signings on the market, we’d be making money. If there’s anyone in particular on which I keep betting? André Silva and Çalhanoğlu.
“If there is any transfer that I wouldn’t do again? No, I consider them all valid players, who form a solid group and give us peace of mind for the future. They are the hard core of Milan and although many of them are not playing according to expectations, there is no ‘flop’. And then we forget a small detail: our management is also made of sales and renewals. From the sales we collected a good amount of money and Donnarumma, Suso, Cutrone, Calabria and Plizzari renewed their contracts.
“If I wouldn’t change anything about my strategy? Perhaps I’d be in less of a hurry about some management choices. Donnarumma? Gigio renewed with great joy and he always expressed his desire to stay at Milan. We’d be very happy if he finished his career here. The moment he no longer wants to stay, which there is no record of, we’d favor the exit. No one will remain reluctantly.
“If I’m worried about the fact that part of the future of the club is linked to the Settlement Agreement with UEFA? We are, and we will be, within the rules and boundaries of UEFA. Our building machine will go forward without concern. UEFA has doubts about Yonghong Li who is thousands of kilometers away from us? The money comes regularly and then there is David Han Li who is very present and is a great connoisseur of Calcio. It also has the advantage of never interfering with the work of others.
“My relationship with Fassone? We are a de-facto couple, two bodies and a soul. Nothing is done unless it’s shared. Anything else is insinuation. If the summer mercato was shared with Montella? We shared everything, starting from an aggressive purchases campaign, so much so that I kept the enthusiastic messages that he sent me, for example during the Bonucci talks. I feel sorry for how it ended, on an emotional and professional level. If it worked as it should have, Milan would’ve been in the Champions League spots and he would’ve been in his place [Milan are 12 points behind 4th].
“Now there’s Gattuso? We needed to give a strong signal to the young players in terms if Milanista DNA. Rino was chosen. He was not a stopgap solution, I take the responsibility and I’m happy with how he’s working. It was necessary to do hard work to improve, with the aggravating circumstance that it was already December. I found someone who works more than myself.”
The Rossoneri – without any new players – will return to action next week when they take on Cagliari away from home on Sunday at 18:00 CET. They then have two matches in a row.[
