If Hojlund doesn't want to, why should Milan force him?

Arrigo Sacchi, a legend on the AC Milan coaching bench, has just made some frank comments about the story of Rasmus Hojlund - the Manchester United striker who is being linked with the "Rossoneri" but still wants to stay at Old Trafford.

AC Milan are showing interest in Rasmus Hojlund.

According to Sacchi, this is not simply a transfer issue, but a measure of a player's ambition, dedication, and commitment to the club. And in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport , he didn't hesitate to give Hojlund a rating: "He's a decent player, nothing more. Don't throw a tantrum."

If you don't have the desire, don't come to Milan.

Sacchi argued that a major club cannot entrust its future to players who consider themselves only a "second choice." "If AC Milan calls, you have to pack your bags immediately and take the first flight to Malpensa. This is a legendary club, and the chosen player must be grateful for that. The club must be number one in the player's heart, not a backup option," he emphasized.

For him, the first quality of a rookie is reliability. Talent can be honed through training, but ambition and fighting spirit cannot be "trained" in the gym. "If a player doesn't have fire in his heart, isn't willing to sacrifice for his teammates, then it's best to leave him at home," Sacchi said.

Sacchi couldn't understand why Hojlund chose to stay at Manchester United, where he was likely to be a reserve option in the 2025/26 season and even outside of manager Ruben Amorim's plans, instead of taking a starting spot at Milan. "One side gives you the chance to be a key player, the other side tries everything to sell you. Which one would you choose?" – this rhetorical question was also a sharp criticism of the Danish striker's decision.

Legendary player Sacchi believes AC Milan doesn't need to be too determined in pursuing Hojlund.

He argued that this was a prime example of a player lacking career vision: "Sometimes following instinct doesn't get you anywhere. Opportunities to prove yourself at a big club like Milan don't come around often."

In contrast to Hojlund's indifference, Sacchi cites two examples of ambition: Luka Modric and Ardon Jashari. Modric, at 40 and after all his glory with Real Madrid, still chose Milan to have a significant role in the historically rich club. Jashari, on the other hand, did everything he could to get Club Brugge to agree to sell him, just to wear the Rossoneri shirt.

"Right from the first matches, even without being in their best physical condition, they showed ambition and integration with the club's spirit," Sacchi said.

The head is more important than the legs.

Sacchi's recruitment philosophy has long remained the same: "When buying a player, look at the head first, then the feet. The feet can be trained, but the head cannot."

He recounted a story from his early days at Milan, when he asked Berlusconi to sell a player because of his unprofessional attitude, even though the player was playing for the national team. "I didn't want an unreliable partner, whether on the pitch or in the company," Sacchi shared.

For Sacchi, overlooking Hojlund wasn't a disaster.

For Sacchi, overlooking Hojlund wasn't a disaster. The problem was finding a striker who fit the coach's playing style and the club's project.

“The striker is a tactical link; every movement he makes shapes the entire style of play. Choosing the wrong one will disrupt the whole system. Look at Kylian Mbappe: considered the world's number one, he went to Real Madrid and ended up empty-handed, while PSG – the club that sold him – won the Champions League.”

Sacchi's message to Milan was clear: Don't chase after flashy names if they lack genuine ambition. A suitable player is not just about technique or physical ability, but also about attitude, spirit, and commitment to the club.

For him, AC Milan is not just a place to sign contracts and get paid – it's a legacy, an honor. And to protect that honor, the team needs people who are willing to give their all for it, not people who frown at the mention of the name "Milan".

Source: https://znews.vn/hojlund-khong-muan-milan-can-gi-ep-post1576726.html