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Fikayo Tomori reflected on his first 18 months in Serie A and the crazy scenes seen following Milan’s Scudetto success.
The 24-year-old defender initially joined the Rossoneri on loan in January 2021 from Chelsea and he immediately made a strong impression, showing his qualities as a top centre back. He was signed for around €28.8m last summer and played a key role in Milan’s successful fight for the Scudetto this season.
Speaking to The Times, Tomori first reflected what on it meant for him to win the Scudetto with Milan.
“A lot of people didn’t believe we were really going to do it and win the title.For us in the changing room to have that relief and joy, proving people wrong and that we were a good team, was sweet for all of us.
“It was just crazy. The celebrations were like nothing I’ve ever seen before. So many people. It was like a three, four, five kilometre drag of fans, but it took hours on the bus. Stopping at all the lights.
“Obviously I’ve seen the fans down in Milan, but to see everyone in the streets like that for the whole afternoon, I can’t really describe it, just mad.”
The defender commented on his adaption to Serie A and his happiness at the decision to move abroad.
“I’m enjoying it and I’m really happy. When I went abroad, there was talk around English players doing this or that, but I’ve just tried to embrace it as much as I could.
“When I got there everyone was so helpful and helped me settle in. That’s helped me to adjust and I want to keep building and improving as a player. Hopefully we can build on what we’ve done and go on to win more.”
Tomori famously attracted attention after carrying out an interview in Italian only months after joining the club. He expressed pride at having put in the effort to learn the language.
“Obviously they all spoke Italian, so I was keen to learn it to help me settle in. I thought it was really important to communicate and now we only speak Italian. It’s not perfect and I’m still learning but it’s part of the experience.
“Being in the changing room’s easier than having a tutor, just because everyone is talking. In the showers, in the changing room, on the pitch. You just pick things up. I obviously hear a lot of swear words! Different words and different vocabulary.
“A lot of the players have helped me and a few of them speak English, which was helpful when I first joined. But now we speak mostly Italian so it’s all going well.”
The former Chelsea man spoke about his growth as a player at Milan under Stefano Pioli.
“First and foremost, the manager has helped me in terms of the way he wants the team to play. Also individually and as a team how he wants us to defend. In that aspect, I’ve learned different things. The way this league is, the referees whistle a lot more, so you can’t dive in. If you do go in for a tackle, you have to win the ball.
“If you’re aggressive, you have to tackle properly. Stay on your feet and make sure that you’re in the right position. I’ve learned more and had to think about my positioning. I speak to Paolo, he is there every day. Sometimes he asks me how things are going and speaks to us defenders as a collective.”
Finally, Tomori spoke about his and Tammy Abraham’s decision to move abroad and how well its going for them.
“I was ready to do something different. Obviously it’s Milan so I was like, ‘When am I going?’ I always had that idea where I would like to go abroad and see what it’s like. So when it came about I was all over it.
“Tammy has done well. When we played them we won both times, so that’s good enough. I’m happy he’s come to Rome, come to Italy, and he’s done so well. Now he’s flying.
“We are both enjoying it. In Italy I’m not thinking, ‘I wish I was in England’. I feel really comfortable here. I’m not in a rush to come home if I have a day off. I’m settled and relaxed about being in Italy.”
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