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Koni De Winter has admitted that he is hoping to conquer a starting spot with AC Milan, but knows he is at one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
The signing of De Winter was made official in August as he penned a multi-year deal, arriving from Genoa in a deal widely reported to be in the region of €20m. He knows Massimiliano Allegri well, having made his Champions League debut under the coach while with Juventus.
So far, though, the Belgian is struggling a bit for regular minutes. The excellent form of Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia and Strahinja Pavlovic means a spot hasn’t opened up. With Tomori’s adductor issue it looked like he would start vs. Juve on Saturday, but the Englishman recovered and started.
De Winter spoke during an interview with Nieuwsblad Sport in his native Belgium, having been called up for the national team. He spoke about a number of topics, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
Did Milan get a good deal for you, at €20m?
“If you look at transfer market prices in recent years, I think the Rossoneri got a good price from Genoa.”
I read an interview with Charles De Ketelaere who said: ‘At Milan, they expect performance right away’. You’ve often been a substitute so far. Does that weigh on you?
“Right now, I’m an alternative, but I don’t yet have the status to make demands of Allegri. I’m self-critical and I have the ambition to become a starter. You have to be humble right now, and sooner or later the reward will come.”
Were you immediately enthusiastic about the choice?
“We’re talking about Milan, one of the biggest teams in Europe. As a kid, I watched Ronaldinho play here. I don’t come from a football-obsessed family. We didn’t have pay-TV to watch foreign leagues, but obviously I often watched Milan in the Champions League.
“That Milan was a dream team, with Ronaldinho, Alexandre Pato, and David Beckham. That aura has remained.”
Did you have any other options? There was talk Inter had also come forward…
“When Milan comes along, you don’t think twice. But it’s true, other big Italian teams have inquired, as have English clubs. There was even interest from the Middle East, with very generous offers.”
Can you still go out with peace of mind now that you play for Milan?
“Italian fans are fiery in stadiums – I like that aggressive atmosphere – but outside they leave you alone. The only player on the team who would cause chaos in a restaurant is Luka Modrić. But then again… when you’re so incredibly good, it’s normal.”
You shared a dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus. Do you think Modrić is even better?
“It’s hard to compare them: they’re different players, both extraordinary. But I have to say that Modrić really impressed me. First of all, his football intelligence: he sees the game differently. He’s faster. And then he has brilliant feet.
“Off the pitch, he’s also great: humble, he never puts himself above others, yet he has an insane list of achievements. And he never complains, not even when he has to run. If he doesn’t complain, why should anyone else?”
English (US) ·