AC Milan of Italy centre back, Fikayo Tomori has admitted he feels delighted and happy getting glowing words of praise from the Italian Serie A club’s legend, Paolo Maldini, who he described as one of the best defenders ever in world football, megasportsarena.com reports.
Speaking ahead of his outing with The Rossoneri in Thursday’s UEFA Europa League clash with Manchester United of England, Tomori, who is on loan from another English Premier League club, Chelsea, acknowledged how much of a boost he has received from Maldini.
Tomori and his team-mates will concentrate on the task of trying to gain a foothold in their last-16 tie with United despite heading into the first leg with coach Stefano Pioli’s squad depleted by injury.
It will be the first time two clubs steeped in European tradition have met in 11 years and both have slipped from the pedestals they once occupied since, and Maldini believes Tomori nwill play a key role in seeing his side through.
Maldini, who is now the Milan-based side’ sporting director, declared during their pre-match press conference how much Tomori has impressed him wihin the short while the playr has been at The San Siro.
The 23-year-old defender, who joined Milan on loan in January, has awed Maldini so well that the renowned former Italy international has already indicated that the team would be interested in giving the former Derby County of England ace a full transfer this summer.
The dark-skinned stopper, who was born to Nigerian parents in Canada but naturalized in order to star for England at full senior level, added that Maldini’s words have spurred him forward and encouraged him to keep aiming for the highest point of excellence for the Milan-based side.
Tomori said in response: “It’s a good feeling and to hear something like this obviously gives me confidence, but I just want to carry on doing what I’m doing that’s got me to this stage and go even further.
“I’m not really focused too much on what can happen in the future, it’s just more about me playing well for the team and doing what I can for myself right now and helping the team as much as possible. Then what happens in the future will happen.
“But obviously it’s very nice to hear that from one, if not the, greatest defenders to have played the game. It’s nothing that I’m worried about or anything like that, I’m focused on what’s happening here and I’m sure that he’s doing the same at Chelsea.”
