Andre Silva admits he had trouble settling in to life at Milan and in Serie A, particularly when it comes to missing “the beach.”
The 22-year-old striker arrived for €38m plus bonuses from FC Porto last year, but scored only two goals in 24 Serie A appearances.
He found the net eight times in 14 Europa League games, mostly during the group stage of the tournament, but was pushed down the pecking order.
Andre Silva admits he had trouble settling in to life at Milan and in Serie A, particularly when it comes to missing “the beach.”
The 22-year-old striker arrived for €38m plus bonuses from FC Porto last year, but scored only two goals in 24 Serie A appearances.
He found the net eight times in 14 Europa League games, mostly during the group stage of the tournament, but was pushed down the pecking order.
“It’s the first time I’ve lived away from my home, my family and the beach. I am accustomed to breathing in the sea air,” the Portugal international told the club’s official Forza Milan magazine.
“I would often go for a walk or take my bicycle along the seafront, but things change and I have to look forward. I miss my family, which is very large, as I grew up with my parents, my brother and cousins. It’s a very close-knit family, we’d be together every Sunday.”
The adaptation to Serie A football also proved particularly tricky for Andre Silva.
“The difference in fitness training is not so important, but the biggest issue was adapting to the lifestyle and change of habits. It was a new language, new people, new team. I’m here by myself, while my teammates speak Italian or Spanish.
“I know that I have to improve in many areas, such as with my left foot, with my dribbling and shot on target. Perhaps my biggest problem is that I think too much about work and don’t rest enough. If I have a target, I’ll chase that and think of nothing else.”
Despite a difficult season, Andre Silva is in the Portugal squad going to the 2018 World Cup.
“It’s the dream of all players to win that trophy. We know it’ll be difficult and we’ve got a very tough group with Spain, Iran and Morocco, but must be convinced of our abilities. We’re not going to Russia just for fun.”