AC Milan’s Senior Advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic has offered his insights on various club matters during the press conference introducing new signing Kyle Walker. The Swedish legend addressed recent events, transfer strategies, and the team’s current form.
On the recent altercation between manager Sergio Conceicao and captain Davide Calabria, Ibrahimovic was pragmatic: “It was a moment with a lot of adrenaline, heated. Two winners who did what they did. If you ask me, it’s happened to me a thousand times. The important thing is that it gets resolved, and it was resolved before entering the locker room. At a club level, it happened to me at Inter, Juve, Barcelona, Manchester United, PSG. As Capello taught me, it’s good for the team when there are champions involved. There are emotions, we live on emotions. It’s better that it happens, otherwise it means nobody cares about anything.”
Regarding Walker’s signing, Ibrahimovic praised the English defender’s qualities: “I don’t need to explain what kind of player Walker is, his statistics speak for him, he’s made history at City. He’s a great leader, has experience, brings great quality. You’ll ask me why another right-back, but a situation arose and it’s better to have him than not. He’ll bring many things on and off the field. He’s an alpha in the locker room, he can help in all situations. We think he can also play as a center-back, he’s done it in England.”
On the team’s current form and objectives, Ibrahimovic stressed the need for consistency: “Step by step. For me, it’s a new situation, I’m experiencing another perspective, from the outside. It’s a strong dynamic. We’re not where we want to be, we aim high and our goal is to win as we did in the Supercup. If we win on Wednesday, we’ll be back in the top eight, which is very good. However, we need to be more consistent in the league, we’re working on it.”
Addressing the transfer market, Ibrahimovic remained cautious: “We have objectives and we’re working on them. Kyle wasn’t a target but it was a situation we gladly took advantage of. As for our objectives, we know what to do and we’re working on it.”
On potential target Santiago Gimenez, Ibrahimovic was brief but positive: “Talent and potential, everyone knows he’s strong.”
Regarding contract renewals for key players, he assured: “We talk with them every day, everyone is doing well and wants to continue here. Everything is under control, the player should focus on playing, and we think about the rest.”
Ibrahimovic also touched on the club’s work with managers on transfers: “We work with Conceicao as we did with Fonseca, no difference. Both are involved in the market. Sergio likes a certain type of player, different from Paulo. We had already thought about some players. Self-criticism from the management? We always want to do our best and work hard. When you know you’re doing a good job, the results will come.”
