“Idol is Ronaldinho” – Cisse’s former coach ‘expects’ him to carve out key role at Milan already

This season, few players have shone in Serie A like AC Milan’s Alphadjo Cisse, at least when we consider their situations before the start of the season.

Over the summer, there were questions regarding Cisse’s season and where it’d be spent. There was the possibility of a loan, but Ruben Amorim’s liking of the winger meant that staying was also on the table.

Reports state that Amorim’s plea for Milan to keep him was heard, though, and when he scored on the first match day of the season, it showed why it was the right decision. His goal against Juventus in Turin only furthered that proof.

Cisse’s coach still impressed

Speaking to TMW Radio, via Pianeta Milan, his former youth coach Mattia Graziati looked back on how good he was at the start of his club football days. Then, touched on his current environment and just how good he can be in the future.

“I coached Alphadjo when he was between 7 and 9 years old on a team called Indomita 21 in Treviso. His main qualities were always technique and dribbling. At that age, as soon as Cisse got the ball, he’d beat everyone.

“He’s always been a simple boy with a strong desire to improve, even though he was by far the most talented player on our team. Over the years, he’s maintained that same desire, and this has brought him to where he is now; he’s a natural.”

“The future…”

“Great. I expect him to carve out a key role for AC Milan this year, both starting and contributing during matches, just like he did as a youngster.

“Alphadjo is a humble guy; he knows he has champions as teammates, and for this reason, I’m sure he’ll make the most of every training session to reap the benefits. He knows what it means to work hard to achieve something.

“Anyone with this desire and hunger rarely fails to achieve their goals. “I’ll tell you the truth: speaking with friends before the start of the season, I said that I thought he’d do well, and I was certain that staying with AC Milan would be better for him than going on loan elsewhere.

“I was sure Alphadjo would also play for AC Milan.”

“His idol…”

“His lifelong idol is Ronaldinho, which is why Cisse chose 80 as his shirt number at Hellas and Catanzaro. The Brazilian champion is unrivalled, at least for now, but Alphadjo already reminds me a lot of another Brazilian who played for AC Milan: Robinho.

“He’s quick, he’s technical, and he’s a skilled dribbler.”

It’s fair to say that he’s saying a lot of the right things and Milan certainly have a good player on their hands.