Former AC Milan boss Arrigo Sacchi has slammed rivals Inter Milan’s star striker Mauro Icardi after comparing him to Juventus’ striker Pablo Dybala.
Sacchi said that the Inter captain needed to improve as a man and only then he could improve as a player.
The former Italian national team coach said, “I spoke to Silvio Berlusconi two years ago – I told him to get Maurizio Sarri when he was Empoli coach and also Dybala as a player, who was then at Palermo. Dybala is a phenomenon, he’s a great player and a great guy.
“I always look at the man first. Dybala is fantastic and I’m sure he’s going to improve a lot. Icardi as a man is less reliable than Dybala. If he improves as a man he will grow because he also has a lot of talent.
“When I signed Frank Rijkaard I sent a man I trusted to Zaragoza for 20 days to watch how he trained, what he ate, how he behaved with rivals and team-mates. When I was wrong, I was wrong about the man and not about the footballer.
“Gonzalo Higuain had an incredible, incredible season and therefore he costs a lot. Do you know the world of football? It’s run on emotions and he gives great emotions. Now, the money being spent is a lot – I have fear looking at the future because football could break with excessive leadership or business.”
Icardi has had a good couple of seasons with the fallen Italian giants and is being linked with a move away from the club.
A host of Premier League clubs are said to be interested in the player, with Inter’s Serie A rivals Napoli also looking to acquire the services of the 23-year-old Argentine.
However, Icardi seems to be ignoring all the rumors surrounding his future , saying “There have been a lot of rumors over recent days. The truth is that I have been a long way from home for a month, so I’m not very informed about what is happening. The criticism? People looking from the outside can think whatever they want, I am staying calm.”
Inter boss Roberto Mancini also spoke on the players future at the club saying “Mauro Icardi is our captain. I don’t know what can happen in the future, but he is the captain.”