Milan icon already impressed by Lucas Paquetá | OneFootball

Lucas Paquetá has hit the ground running at Milan, earning the approval of club legend Paolo Maldini.

Now back at the club as sporting strategy and development director, Maldini spoke to DAZN after Milan beat Atalanta on Saturday.

The game saw Paquetá start his fifth Serie A match in a row, a run which Milan are unbeaten in.

“He’s a smart guy,” Maldini said.

“We asked him to speed up, there’s also the language problem, he’s the only one who speaks Portuguese of all the players.”

Lining up alongside Franck Kessié and Tiémoué Bakayoko in midfield,  Paquetá has quickly become crucial to Gennaro Gattuso’s side.

“He has had a huge impact on the team,” Maldini insisted.

“He solved our problems with his quality his transition problem: he is always looking forward, he has the gift of the class inside.

“Brazilian football is very different from ours, but what surprised him is the application that also puts us in the defensive phase, which is perhaps where he has to learn more. ”

Earning the approval of a Milan icon is certainly a pretty solid start.