Fonseca Satisfied With Milan Signings, Signals Player Exits Ahead Of Serie A

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Paulo Fonseca expressed satisfaction with AC Milan's recent signings but indicated that some players would need to depart as they prepare for their Serie A opener against Torino on Saturday. The Portuguese coach confirmed that the acquisition of French midfielder Youssouf Fofana from Monaco is nearly finalised, with no further signings planned.

Fofana will join striker Alvaro Morata and defenders Emerson Royal and Strahinja Pavlovic, who were signed earlier in the transfer window. Fonseca stated, "After his [Fofana's] arrival, our incomings will be completed, we will need to focus on outgoings." He emphasised the necessity of reducing the squad size, saying, "Some players must leave now. We have many, and it's not easy to work with a lot of players."

Fonseca has only been at Milan for two months but has already led the team through an unbeaten pre-season. He is pleased with how quickly the players have adapted to his methods. "I came to Milan at the right moment in my career," he said. "The feeling is very positive, right from the first day, we have already improved more than I expected."

The coach acknowledged the strength of their competitors in Serie A. "Inter are reigning champions; we know their level," he noted. "Juventus, Napoli and Atalanta, apart from ourselves, also have the right things to compete." Despite this, Fonseca remains optimistic about Milan's chances. "We work and play to aim for the top," he said. "We cannot say that we are ahead of everyone to win the league, but we want to be fighting for the Scudetto."

Fonseca anticipates a challenging season opener against Torino and aims to showcase Milan's identity from the start. "We are expecting a different and more complex game than those we have played in pre-season," he remarked.

The new coach is eager for his team to demonstrate their progress from pre-season in competitive matches. "We want to show our identity from the very first game," Fonseca added.

As AC Milan gears up for their first match of the season against Torino, Fonseca's focus remains on fine-tuning his squad and ensuring they are ready for a competitive campaign.