Sergej Milinkovic-Savic discussed his admiration of Paul Pogba, his consistent growth and his Ballon d’Or ambitions.
The 27-year-old Serbian midfielder is destined for an exciting summer as Lazio prepare to sell their star man, ready to cash in so they can overhaul Maurizio Sarri’s squad in Rome. The Biancocelesti are hoping to secure around €70m for his signature and the two frontrunners currently are Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United, although Juventus are also keen.
Speaking to DAZN, Milinkovic-Savic first discussed if this was the best year of his career so far.
“For a few years now, the statistics say so, I’ve been playing a little better. Do I feel underrated? I don’t think about that, when I finish the game if I have time I’ll watch it again and then I decide if I did well or not, I am honest with myself.
“In my movements without the ball I’ve grown a lot in recent years. Slowly I worked and this year you can see the results.”
He touched on his decision to try and control the ball with the sole of his foot.
“The sole came because I couldn’t shoot with my right foot, I said I’ll shoot with my left and let’s see what happens. I like to use it because it takes your touch away, it depends on how the ball comes to me but I always try to control it with the sole.
“Against shorter players I struggle more because I have to duck too. Who do I take inspiration from? I always watch Liverpool’s Thiago. Some body movements I developed thanks to Futsal, a sport I played as a child.”
The Serbian midfielder spoke about the comparisons between him and former Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba.
“I learnt a lot from him at the beginning when I arrived in Italy and he was at Juventus. He is tall like me, has technique and already made the difference in games.”
Finally, Milinkovic-Savic discussed where he sees himself in five years and his Ballon d’Or ambitions.
“I don’t think so much about the future, I look at it day by day and don’t think too much about things.
“Ballon d’Or? Of course I’d like that.”
The 27-year-old Milinkovic-Savic has scored 10 goals and provided 11 assists in 35 Serie A appearances this season.
Lazio, Milinkovic: "Ho imparato tanto da Pogba. Futuro? Ora non ci penso" https://t.co/ccKscsVoPY #Fantacalcio #FantacalcioSerieATIM pic.twitter.com/QRzY0InAnc
— Fantacalcio (@Fantacalcio) May 16, 2022
Hopefully not how to coast through your club career for 5 years.