In a recent interview, Simon Kjaer confirmed his desire to stay at AC Milan and also shared his thoughts on reaching 100 appearances for the club. It seems the Danish captain is living his dream.
Kjaer has had a decent start to the season with the Rossonerim, making five appearances, and he remains an important player. Especially since the schedule has been and will be very demanding, forcing Stefano Pioli to rotate a lot.
Speaking to Simonkjaergifs.com, the Danish captain was asked about his future and what it felt like to reach 100 appearances for Milan. He also shared his thoughts on the start of the season and the new arrivals.
Congratulations! How does it feel to have reached this new milestone [100 appearances]? What does it mean to you?
“To be honest, it makes me feel very proud. I know that this is almost a cliché to say, but AC Milan was the club of my dreams. This is a true story, and I have told it before: When I was in Palermo, I said to my agent: ‘One day you must get me to AC Milan!’ Actually, I have been close to moving to Milan a few times before in my career, but finally it happened. Now it is the club where I have played the highest number of games, and that feels good. Only for Denmark, I have played more games.”
Is there a specific match that you remember as exciting, emotional – Your favourite one for some reason?
“That is a difficult question, because when you play for a top club, then for me – with my mindset – every game is something special. If you really force me to answer, then perhaps the two quarter-finals last season in the Champions League against Napoli, who were having an amazing season in Serie A at the same time.
“When we beat them and qualified for the last four in the Champions League, then we were showing to the world, that we are back, where a great club like AC Milan belong – among the best. When I arrived, the position was the bottom half of the table, and I only had one goal: I wanted with every fibre in my body to help the club back to the top of Serie A – and to the top of Europe. So it was emotional to be there – just like the Scudetto was emotional.”
Another big achievement is coming, the most appearances with the national team. Which is the achievement you’re more proud of?
“That’s two big things for me – difficult to compare. But again – if you push me, then I would have to say, that of course it is a bigger achievement to get the record for most matches ever for a Danish player. It has taken me 14 years to reach the record with Denmark, so that one is something really special.
“I have played more than half of all these internationals as captain, and that is also something, that makes me proud. I like to take responsibility, and for me the team is the most important thing in football. Of course, I am also happy for the 100 games in red and black, but I must admit – with a big smile, that Maldini’s record with more than 900 is far away…”
We know you’d like to stay in Milan forever, if you can. But if not, do you ever see yourself returning to the Danish football league?
“You are absolutely right: I’m only thinking about staying at AC Milan. And I must admit, I have been living abroad for so many years and playing more than 600 games in international football, that it is difficult for me to see myself back playing in a Danish club. But a very true cliché is, that ‘in football anything can happen’.”
You have all the qualities to become a great coach in the future. Do you ever see yourself becoming a coach?
“At the moment I would say no. But then again, right now I’m only focused on playing, and also… I love football, so who knows what will happen? I would have to keep a door open here: Never say never in football.”
This summer AC Milan signed many new players. Who do you think will reach 100 appearances, like you?
“I simply can’t pick one of them. I believe that the club have found a bunch of very good players this summer, and they will help the team develop this season. I hope that all of them will be successful in red and black and help this great club to achieve big things in the future.”
Kjaer could play from start against Juventus after the break as Pioli is looking to rest Malick Thiaw ahead of the games against PSG and Napoli. In the meantime, though, he’s focused on his national duty for Denmark.
Milan still need him to teach the young ones like Thiaw, Tomori, Pellegrino who lacks of experiences.
Yep. 100%