FIKAYO TOMORI says a personal plea from AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini persuaded him to swap his Chelsea “comfort zone” for Serie A’s leaders.
And as Tomori eyes his full loan debut at Bologna on Saturday, he urged more England hopefuls to swap the Premier League for the continent.
Fikayo Tomori could make his first AC Milan start at Bologna on Saturday after coming on as a sub in Tuesday’s 2-1 Coppa Italia exit vs Inter MilanCredit: Splash News
The centre-back, 23, struggled for game-time with the Blues this season before leaving just as Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard as boss.
And Tomori, whose sole cap was in November 2019, claims Milan’s history will inspire him, especially a tradition of world-class defenders.
Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala have blazed a trail for English starlets looking to develop with regular elite-level action abroad.
And Tomori said: “A lot more people are realising there’s more to football than the Premier League and England.
“I think it’s definitely a positive that many young English players want to leave England and are willing to try something new, to learn new languages and a different style of play.
“That’s only going to benefit them and the national team as well.
“Going abroad gives you a different view on football as whole… Being out of your comfort zone can definitely develop a person and a player as well.”
Tomori asked Chelsea’s ex-Serie A aces Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Emerson (Palmieri) and Antonio Rudiger for advice – all delivering a positive verdict.
And he also believes he can learn hugely from Milan technical director Maldini, who won 126 Italy caps.
Tomori said: “Paolo Maldini was one of the greatest-ever defenders and, when he called me, I was a bit surprised but I knew about the project and didn’t need long to decide.
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“I was wanted and want to be here. I was at Chelsea from the age of seven. I’m concentrating hard to do well with my new club.
“When you think about AC Milan, you think about Maldini, [Alessandro] Nesta, [Franco] Baresi and so many more in my position.
“I already knew the history of the club. It’s inspiring that it was founded by an Englishman and I wanted to be a part of it all.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
