BARCELONA: AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti is delighted the Rossoneri have all but secured the services of Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho.
The 28-year-old is expected to arrive in Milan on Wednesday afternoon and put pen to paper on a three-year deal subject to passing a medical. And Ancelotti knows it will be a big boost for his side, who are aiming to bounce back from a disappointing campaign which saw them finish fifth in the Serie A standings and fail to qualify for the Champions League.
"In these days people will talk a lot about the Milan of the future," Ancelotti told Milan Channel. "There are a lot more options at our disposal. "The club have made a great sacrifice. Important players have arrived, not only Ronaldinho."
Ancelotti reckons Ronaldinho and fellow close-season acquisitions can only help his team as they bid for success in Serie A and in Europe. "It's a special summer. We are counting on being competitive on all fronts," said the coach.
"We have strengthened ourselves at the back with (Gianluca) Zambrotta, in midfield with (Mathieu) Flamini, up front with Ronaldinho and (Marco) Borriello. We have so many options. "Ronaldinho is an important name that creates enthusiasm. In everyone, even in the players. It's about translating this enthusiasm into results and good play.
"The attack is an area of quality, a mix between youth and players with experience." Ronaldinho's last season at Barcelona saw him bear the brunt of criticism over the Catalan giants' disappointing campaign.
The two-time FIFA World Player of the Year winner was a shadow of his former self, with his poor form not helped by a long-term muscle injury, while photographs of him looking overweight led to the nickname 'Gordinho' - a play on the Spanish word for fat.
Ronaldinho insists he is ready to give his all for Milan and Ancelotti believes the 2002 World Cup winner is back to his world-beating best.
"I'm expecting all the maximum he can give," he added. "We want to put him in the conditions that he can return to the best in the world at Milan.
"He will find the ideal environment to redeem himself. He is integral and we are counting on his will.
"It is clear that he should not be caged tactically, we have to value his inspiration.
"With Ronaldinho and Kaka, we have to find different solutions. For me he is an intriguing boost: he can create something different."
News of Ronaldinho's impending arrival has thrilled the Rossoneri fans.
Over 3,000 new season tickets were bought in under an hour earlier in the day, while around 4,000 fans have flooded the area around Milan's training ground to welcome the Brazilian.
Ronaldinho's prospective team-mates are also excited at the signing.
"He is an important player who doesn't need to prove anything to anyone and who can only be of help to Milan in that he is going to join a squad that is already at his level," Massimo Oddo told the club's official website as the players returned for the first day of pre-season training.
"We know that we are a great team and a player of the calibre of Ronaldinho is well welcomed because he will surely do well and find his space."—Agency