Milan's Jeremy Menez reveals that strikers Francesco Totti and Filippo Inzaghi are his inspirations, while he talks about his evolution as a poacher.
The Frenchman joined the Rossoneri in the summer and has developed into one of the most prominent players of the season.
In an interview with the Corriere dello Sport, published today, he confesses that the year before coming to Milan was highly formative for him.
Milan's Jeremy Menez reveals that strikers Francesco Totti and Filippo Inzaghi are his inspirations, while he talks about his evolution as a poacher.
The Frenchman joined the Rossoneri in the summer and has developed into one of the most prominent players of the season.
In an interview with the Corriere dello Sport, published today, he confesses that the year before coming to Milan was highly formative for him.
“Last year helped me greatly, I came to understand many things. I played very little for Paris Saint-Germain and from that premise I developed substantially,” Menez has explained.
“I can be a poacher, a classic forward. Just like at PSG and when I was younger. But the goals aside, I feel I'm doing very well tactically because I cover a large portion of the pitch.
“In the past, I wasn't so keen on the goal. Now I realise that scoring is nice and I want to do even better for the future.
“I am definitely inspired by Inzaghi for this change in me.
“But we absolutely have to up our performance in some games, we can't fail to win against Empoli, Cesena and Palermo. This is where we have to improve.
“As for the goal against Parma, I just did what was going through my head, I don't know if I'd be able to do that again. I'd love to, it was a beautiful goal but above all else it was important for the match.”
The former French international also stated that he's looking forward to being called up again with Les Bleus.
“Last year I wasn't playing, so [French national Coach Didier] Deschamps was right not to call me. But he's still following me – now it's up to me to convince him once and for all.
“In France my career has been plagued by a lot of negative stereotypes when I was younger. I never did anything wrong, just some capers as a kid. But too many people still bring them up. Here in Italy people don't hold that against me.”
In spite of his attachment to the national shirt, the 27-year-old's sources of inspiration come from further south.
“I know Totti well, he is a model for me, and a great player the likes of which I have seldom seen in my career. I also draw inspiration from Inzaghi for my development.
“I think I came to Milan at the right time. They were starting out with a new Coach, my contract with PSG was expiring and I decided not to renew. I chose Milan because I thought it would be the right choice for myself and my future.”
Finally, Menez added a quip on one of the most clamorous transfer rumours of the moment, the possible move of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Roma.
“Rome is a beautiful city, and if he went there it would be something great for the romanisti. Zlatan and Totti are two excellent people and they'd surely get along together.
“When I came to Rome I was 20 years old and I was different. [Roma Coach Rudi] Garcia is an excellent person, very close to the team and his players.
“He built his career from the foundations, starting from Ligue 2, and he always did well.”