Former French striker who played for AC Milan, Jean-Pierre Papin, spoke to the microphones of La Gazzetta dello Sport. Here are his words:
"My friend Paolo Maldini is doing a great job, he is choosing talents that will be future champions. That is the right path."
On Donnarumma:
"He went to a club full of stars, but it will not be easy for him. Their obsession there is the Champions League, and if they don't win..."
On Giroud and how does he see him with Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
"Olivier knows how to score. Then experience and weight: he is an area man and there aren't many more like that. I know that the fans suffer because so many “9s” at Milan have failed recently: maybe they weren't real strikers. Giroud is. When you have Giroud and Zlatan you start from a certainty: something will happen, a cross is enough to create a mess. Giroud can play in pairs with another first striker or alone, supported by two wingers. He opens up space and improves maneuvering. It's a great hit for Milan in this market."
Similarities between Jean-Pierre Papin and Giroud:
"We do look alike by instinct and coordination. I was faster, but Olivier doesn't need it: he'll take advantage of Milan's quick dribblers I give him one advice: learn Milan's language and way of playing, but there will be no problems: he adapts easily to the characteristics of his teammates."
Ballo-Touré arrived from Ligue 1. What kind of player is he?
"A box-to-box sprinter. He struck me when he was at Lille, at Monaco he had less space and struggled a bit."
Theo Hernandez not part of the national team... Would you take him to the World Cup?
"I would bring him. He grrew a lot in Italy. However, it is true that we are well covered in that role and position."
Attacking midfielder: Vlasic, Ziyech or Sabitzer?
"Ziyech would bring what is needed for the Champions League. Great stage player, he scores many goals."
Allegri, Mourinho, Sarri, Spalletti. How do you rate Pioli among these names in Serie A?
"He is the right man for Milan. He brought the club back to the top and raised the level of many elements of the squad, I think of Kessie. Pioli just has to win, but that takes time and patience."
