Ibrahimovic explains why Gimenez was targeted, why Milan were so busy and why Bennacer left | OneFootball

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has given some interesting comments regarding how AC Milan’s winter transfer window ended up playing out.

Milan were among the busiest clubs in all of Europe during the winter transfer window, completing five signings and with five exits secured too, marking what the media have called a ‘revolution’.

Deadline day in particular was hectic, with Joao Felix, Warren Bondo and Riccardo Sottil all arriving. Not only that, but Noah Okafor, Ismael Bennacer and Kevin Zeroli departed the club.

The headline signing without doubt is Santiago Gimenez, the centre-forward who arrived from Feyenoord on a permanent deal. With Alvaro Morata leaving, he will be relied upon for goals.

Gimenez was presented to reporters at Casa Milan this afternoon and he was joined by Ibrahimovic who also answered questions from journalists. MilanNews relayed his comments.

An introduction for Gimenez…

“Hello everyone. We are here to introduce the new Milan striker. We have followed him a lot, we even tried in the summer but there was no possibility. Today he is here, this is the most important thing. He has great quality, now he introduces himself because then they say that I put too much pressure on (smiles).”

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What do you expect after this window?

“Yesterday was an intense day but always under control. I have to thank everyone because we did a great job and we did everything we wanted. We are not happy with our position in the table, we made five purchases and five sales. This is the team that has to change the situation.”

Have Milan closed the gap with the teams ahead after the transfer market?

“We have strengthened the team. We will see if we have reduced the gap. We did everything by talking to the coach. In my opinion we have improved the team a lot.”

It was your first transfer window as a protagonist…

“It was intense and interesting. There were a lot of movements, you have to do everything before the closure. What we did is more or less what we had set out to do. We are doing a great job as a team. Then in the end the results will speak for themselves.”

What has been missing in these first few months of the season?

“We lacked consistency. When you win you have more confidence, otherwise you have to start again and give continuity again. We have ups and downs, but we are the only ones to have a trophy. Milan always plays to win and when they win they lift trophies.”

There was a real revolution. When did you think of doing it?

“When we started the season we believed in what we had done. We are not satisfied with the situation and so we decided to change with several signings. We are not happy, we have a trophy but we are not satisfied, we want more, we are hungry.”

Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Why so many late-market moves?

“Every case is different. In a deal there are three parties that have to find an agreement. Some negotiations have been longer, others quicker. Everyone arrived after speaking with the coach.

“We closed Sottil a minute and a half before the end, so I want to thank the lawyers and the secretariat who are doing a great job. They are young, they are very hungry and they work.”

What is behind Bennacer’s departure? Were there problems with Conceiçao?

“He asked to be sold. He was important for Milan, he had injuries, he returned at the end of December. He wanted a new adventure. If he comes and wants to look for something else, he shouldn’t stay here. We looked for the best solution for him and for us.”

What do you want to say to the fans?

“The last Scudetto we won is also thanks to the fans. We are stronger with the fans at our side, they are very important. We are working and doing everything we can to bring results.

“This team is stronger with the fans. We won the last title even if for many we were not even in the top 4, but we won with the push of the fans.”

What led you to sign Gimenez?

“He has great quality, he is hungry to score. He reminds me of Camarda, they have the same hunger to score. If you don’t have it, you don’t have it. For me he is good in the area, he can help the team a lot.

“What kind of Milan will Gimenez find? A strong Milan, he will play with Leao, Pulisic, Reijnders, Walker and many players who can give him assists. Don’t worry… Maignan can also give assists.”

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What do you expect from Gimenez?

“He is here to bring results. We hope he can leave a good memory here. He is in good hands to achieve success. Let’s take one step at a time, we will help him. Then it always depends on the player, he must only think about playing, we will take care of the rest.”

Does criticism from fans affect you?

“The team is stronger with the fans. We won the last title with them. I’m focused on what I have to do. As a footballer I loved being hated.”

In the Champions League you fished out Feyenoord…

“It would have been better to win in Zagreb, we would have played two games less. When you take a player, it happens that fate brings you to play against his former team. The important thing is that Gimenez plays in Rotterdam with the Milan shirt and will score goals.”

Your friend Galliani often made late moves…

“The market is dynamic. Sometimes you go further to get results. I worked with the number one, Mino Raiola. Today I understood how strong he was compared to the others, without offending the others.”