Yacine Adli says that he was ‘ready to leave’ Milan this summer and never had any doubt about joining Fiorentina.
The French midfielder held his first press conference as a Fiorentina player on Tuesday.
He joined Fiorentina on loan with an option to buy from Milan.
“At the beginning of the summer session, Milan directors told me they needed to sell me, so I was ready to leave,” he said.
“I had a chance to come to Florence for a super ambitious project, and I immediately liked the idea. It was simple because of the project. I’ve never had doubts.
“I spoke to Stefano Pioli and some of his staff members. They always spoke highly of this club, but I was already convinced of moving to Florence. I am super happy to be here.”
Adli: ‘I was ready to leave Milan, no doubts about Fiorentina’
Pioli coached Adli at Milan and had previously worked at the Stadio Franchi.
Alexis Saelmaekers and Charles De Ketelaere had successful loan spells away from Milan. Will it work for Adli as well?
“I don’t know if it always works, but I want to work well,” said the Frenchman.
“I wish Milan the best, but now I am in Florence. I want to give my all for Fiorentina and myself.”
Ex-Fiorentina coach Paulo Sousa once compared Adli to France legend Zinedine Zidane.
“I don’t want comparisons with anyone. Zidane was one of the best in history, and there are no similarities,” said the new Fiorentina midfielder.
“I try to do my best and work hard. I am an atypical player because I am big, but I am also flexible with the ball. Somebody may argue that I lack pace, but these are my qualities. I try to be a reference point when I have the ball and defend when I don’t have it. I am still young; I have a lot to improve; that’s one of the reasons why I came here.”
Fiorentina only have three points in the opening three matches, but Adli delivered an assist on his debut on Sunday.
“I watch a lot of football, and last season at Monza, Palladino proved that he could do well,” said the midfielder.
“Everyone knows him and how he works, but it takes time because there have been many changes. I think the team will improve and hurt when we fully understand the playing style.”