Yacine Adli, who recently signed for Milan following a move from Bordeaux, gave a long interview where he discussed the transfer, his history with some of the Rossoneri players and his favourite role.
The 21-year-old Frenchman joined the Rossoneri last summer in a deal worth €8m from Bordeaux, but he spent the season just gone on loan with the French side, giving him a little more time to develop before making the jump to Serie A. He’s now arrived in the Milan camp, joining up with Stefano Pioli’s squad.
Speaking to Milan TV, Adli first discussed the move to the Rossoneri and his last season with Bordeaux.
“It’s a great honour to play at one of the best clubs in the world, the best in Italy. Certainly last season with Bordeaux was complicated, the last three years have been difficult considering I arrived during difficult times for the club.
“However, this helped me to grow as a man, facing difficult situations and I think this has helped me and will help me to overcome difficult moments in the future by remembering the past ones and looking ahead.”
He touched on the advantages of having so many French speakers in the Rossoneri squad.
“When a club like Milan call you, no matter what players are there, you want to play for that club. It’s a big advantage though to have teammates who are French or who speak my language. Milan are bigger than anything and all I wanted was to arrive at this big club.”
The Frenchman looked back to the his early years at the Paris Saint-Germain academy, where he played with some Milan players.
“I was in the PSG academy with Ballò-Tourè and Maignan. Mike is a bit older than me so I saw him play for a long time, especially when I was younger.
“I played for a little bit instead with Fodè so we already know each other a little bit but here we can get to know each other even better. It’s great to play with other Parisian guys.”
Adli gave his thoughts on midfielder Ismael Bennacer.
“I know Ismael very well, we have the same agent and we’ve known each other for a long time. I think he’s a great player, probably one of the best midfielders right now.
“What he does is incredible and I’m sure he can do even better to show everyone that he can become a big name in world football.”
He revealed which role in the midfield is his favourite.
“I prefer to play. I will adapt to whatever role the coach decides for me. I have no preference, I have played in so many different positions and that is one of my qualities so I will continue to bring that on the pitch.”
The 21-year-old commented on his dreams to play in the Champions League.
“Playing in the Champions League has been my dream since I was a boy. When your career starts, everyone’s dream is to play in the Champions League.
“Knowing that I will probably take part in this competition is unbelievable but I want to prepare myself as best I can to be ready.”
He revealed his strong passion for music.
“I am passionate about music because my father enrolled me, my sister and my brother in a music school.
“In fact I played the violin for four years, my sister plays the piano and I watched her a lot. That’s why I have a great passion for the piano and music.”
Adli spoke about French legend Zinedine Zidane and his experience in Ligue 1.
“Zidane is a player I admired so much and watched so much. I played three years at Bordeaux and played 100 games in Ligue 1 so I gained experience.
“Now I have arrived at a completely different club with a group of fantastic players. Now I have to get used to it and be ready to help the coach and the team and earn a place in the first team.”
He detailed how he watched every Milan last game to prepare for the move.
“Last season I watched all the team’s games. A lot of players have grown like Leao, Hernandez but I think the strength of the team was the teamwork.
“That’s what made the difference last season. We saw great players like Kalulu, who I played with in the youth teams in France and had a great season.”
Finally, Adli spoke about who he’d like to meet soon.
“I don’t have a player I want to meet at all costs but I hope to work with everyone.”
Milan went shopping at Aldi. Lol
Renato Sanches could learn about attitude from this lad.