Medhi Benatia, a former Juventus player who now serves as the sporting director for Marseille, recently spoke with beIN Sports.
The former Moroccan defender commented on Adrien Rabiot, another player who previously played for the Bianconeri. “Before we even talk about bringing in new players,” Benatia stated, “one of my main priorities is to keep Adrien Rabiot.”
Benatia praised Rabiot`s impact both on and off the pitch. “From a human perspective, he is extraordinary,” he said. “Not just as a player, but particularly as a presence in the dressing room. He is a top player, and we are committed to doing everything in our power to try and keep him here.”
Discussing the club`s player acquisition strategy, Benatia added, “We aim to bring in players with strong personalities, individuals who can handle the pressure of playing in this stadium and who fit the specific playing characteristics the coach requires.”
Addressing the team`s tactical approach and needs, Benatia confirmed they have a clear vision. “Yes, absolutely,” he said. “We know we have managed to score a good number of goals, but we have also conceded quite a few. We play a rather offensive style.”
“We are looking at signing two central defenders,” he revealed, “because with potentially 55 games ahead of us, we will need depth in that position. We definitely want to strengthen the defense.”
Benatia also pointed to the attack. “Up front, we will also need to make some moves,” he explained. “We want to bring in players capable of creating numerical advantages and who can beat defenders out wide, as that element is very important to the coach`s footballing philosophy.”