Former AC Milan striker, Hernan Crespo, has spoken to La Gazzetta dello Sport as he discussed the club's work in the transfer market and the latest acquisition of Noah Okafor from RB Salzburg:
"I know Okafor well; I have watched him in several matches. He's a forward who moves a lot, capable of playing both on the wings and in the center. However, let's make it clear from the start to avoid any illusions for the fans: he's not a traditional center-forward and doesn't have a natural goal-scoring instinct. He has never played in the Italian league, which is the toughest in the world for forwards, and I say this as someone who has experienced it firsthand. I would be happy for Milan if he manages to score ten goals."
On AC Milan's strategy in the market, Crespo said:
"Bets can also be won; it's not always a given that you must lose them. AC Milan doesn't have the budget to buy top-level champions, so they focus on lesser-known players and try to enhance their potential. With this policy, let's not forget, Milan won the Scudetto in 2022 and reached the Champions League semifinals in 2023. Who knew about Tomori and Kalulu, just to name two, before they exploded in the championship-winning season? In today's football, Milan cannot afford it; they have to focus on the team's organisation and aggressiveness."
Crespo on Stefano Pioli's work:
"If you are well-organised, if you apply pressure, if you win the ball in the offensive zone, then you have a better chance of causing trouble for the opponents. Pioli has positive ideas; let him work in peace. Maybe he will turn Okafor into a top player."
