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Kessié’s coach at Cesena discusses the midfielder’s qualities and his growth
by Wajih Mzoughi 31 January 2021
MILAN, ITALY - JANUARY 26: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Franck Kessie of AC Milan warm up during the Coppa Italia match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 26, 2021 in Milan, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Sportinfoto/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Coach Massimo Drago spoke to TMW Radio today about many topics in football. One of them was Franck Kessié. Drago had actually coached Kessié for a while in Cesena. This is what he was asked about him:
What do you remember of the Kessie of Cesena? Can it still improve, and where?
“I remember a boy who was a bit scared. He was introduced to me, because I honestly didn’t know him, as a central defender and he had to be the fifth choice. When I put him in the middle of the pitch in training, however, I noticed his ability not to get jumped one-on-one and I immediately changed his position. He can still improve in the scoring area as well.”
Massimo Drago also spoke a few days ago about Kessié taking penalties. In Cesena, the penalty taker was Sensi. Drago, between him and Kessie, was spoiled for choice:
“Frank took one, but our specialist was Sensi. But I already knew his ability then. On Friday, at the end of the session, I had the 4-5 specialists take the penalties. Kessié was one of these guys. He had very little margin for error. His percentage of goals scored was very high, but Sensi came first in the hierarchy.
At Milan, now, there is Kessié and then, perhaps, behind him, Ibra:
“I have great respect for Ibrahimovic, who is a champion, but in terms of numbers Kessié has shown that he is better.”
Why did Kessié become an eleven-meter specialist?
“It’s not just the technical qualities that count, but the mental aspect. He is a predisposed player because he has a unique coldness. What impressed me about Frank, a 19-year-old at Cesena, is that he could play in front of 20 or 100 thousand people, always having the same impact on the game. He has never been afraid of anything and this, for a player, is a great advantage. I’m following his performances at Milan, and he’s doing very well. For Pioli, he is essential. You can’t find such young, strong and complete midfielders.”