Crespo Urges Patience With Goncalo Ramos After Slow Milan Start
Goncalo Ramos has scored once in his first five Serie A appearances for Milan following his €74 million move from Paris Saint-Germain in June 2026, leaving the Portuguese striker under early pressure to deliver the goals expected of the club’s leading forward.
Why Ramos’s start matters to Milan
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Milan transfer package | €74 million |
| Ramos’s Serie A goals | 1 in 5 matches |
| Milan league record | 11 points from 5 games |
| League position | Fifth |
| Ramos at PSG | 53 goals in 131 appearances across his final 3 seasons |
| Next match | Sassuolo away, October 11 |
Milan remain unbeaten under Ruben Amorim, but the modest return from their major summer investment has become a central issue around San Siro. Ramos arrived from PSG with extensive experience of winning trophies in France, yet his record has also prompted debate about whether he is the elite, high-volume finisher supporters anticipated for that price.
Hernan Crespo believes the fee makes the discussion unavoidable, while declining to judge Milan’s transfer business directly from his post as Atlas coach in Mexico. The former Argentina striker described Ramos as a strong centre-forward who should eventually find the net, but said his career record shows that he has not been a consistently prolific scorer.
Crespo pointed to Ramos’s PSG figures: 53 goals from 131 outings over his final three campaigns. That output, he argued, falls short of a goal every other match, while the forward was not an automatic starter under Luis Enrique despite PSG winning the Champions League in successive seasons.
“He is an excellent player, but not a top player,” Crespo said in assessing the distinction between Ramos’s ability and the expectations attached to the transfer.
The 51-year-old nevertheless stressed that Ramos offers Milan more than finishing. He highlighted the striker’s willingness to press, contest duels with defenders and expend energy for the collective, adding that those qualities should not be overlooked simply because his current goal tally is low.
Ramos frequently drops away from the penalty area to combine with teammates and create lanes for runners, while his pressing can disrupt opponents and help Milan regain possession higher up the pitch. Crespo said a centre-forward is naturally judged on goals, particularly when he has been signed for such a large sum, but can still make a meaningful contribution through assists, coordinated movement and defensive work.
The Portuguese forward has covered more ground than any other Milan player so far this season, an effort Crespo called worthy of appreciation. He said Ramos has not hidden during a difficult opening spell and continues to battle for the side, although the size of the fee ensures that his scoring record will remain under scrutiny.
Milan return from the international break with an away fixture against Sassuolo on October 11. Amorim’s team will seek to preserve their unbeaten league start and stay close to the Serie A leaders, while Ramos has an immediate opportunity to turn his all-round work into the decisive goals supporters want to see.
