M’Baye Niang wants to stay at Milan “for another 10 years” but admits “I made mistakes”.
The French forward joined the Rossoneri in 2012, but had a series of disciplinary problems – including a hit-and-run which injured 11 people – and his time at San Siro appeared to be over when he was loaned to Montpellier in 2014.
However, following another loan spell at Genoa, the 20-year-old has become a key man for Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, and now wants to stay for as long as possible.
M’Baye Niang wants to stay at Milan “for another 10 years” but admits “I made mistakes”.
The French forward joined the Rossoneri in 2012, but had a series of disciplinary problems – including a hit-and-run which injured 11 people – and his time at San Siro appeared to be over when he was loaned to Montpellier in 2014.
However, following another loan spell at Genoa, the 20-year-old has become a key man for Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, and now wants to stay for as long as possible.
“I wanted to go back to Milan, because I feel part of this team and this club,” Niang explained in an interview with Corriere dello Sport.
“I agreed to go on loan to Genoa with no redemption clause because I wanted to prove myself to Milan. I wanted to come back here, I wanted to give something to the team.
“Before I wasn’t playing well, now I think I’m better.
“Have I changed? Yes, that’s correct. I made mistakes no footballer can afford to make. We must avoid everything.
“From that point of view I’ve changed, and definitely for the better. When you play and you have the ball you must be lucid and calm.
“When you’re doing well in your private life, the results are good when you play.
“Will I finish my career at Milan? If it were up to me there’d be no problems. I see myself more and more in this team, even for another 10 years.”
Niang appears to be a favourite of Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, and has repaid his faith with two goals and an assist in four Serie A starts.
“My relationship with Mihajlovic is great. He gives me so much. He’s a good Coach as we all know, and he likes to work with young people.
“He has great qualities, I’ll always give my best for him and I’ll always do what he says.”
Finally the French Under-21 international discussed the Diavolo’s season so far, and is sure they can still make the Champions League.
“We’ve lost one game [to Juventus] in the last period,” Niang pointed out.
“The way to recover is very simple, we just have to work, that’s the right path. None of us should listen to anything that’s said outside Milanello.
“The draw with Carpi? It wasn’t an easy game to deal with, we know our opponents would play in the usual way, with long balls.
“We knew it was a difficult game to unlock, but we earned a point and it’s important that we didn’t lose.
“Verona at the weekend? We have to aim for the maximum, as always. I think the goal of the Champions League is within our reach.”