Wolves striker Patrick Cutrone has admitted that former club AC Milan put him in a position where he ‘had to leave’ for the Premier League.
Cutrone departed his boyhood club earlier in the summer, moving to Premier League side Wolves in a deal reportedly worth around €18million.
It was part of an overhaul undergone by owners Elliott Management during which they allowed Gennaro Gattuso to leave as head coach, while sporting director Leonardo also left for PSG.
The decision to allow Cutrone to leave is still debated by fans to this day, especially given Milan’s current struggles, however the striker has revealed that he didn’t feel like he had much choice but to say goodbye to the team he loves.
Speaking in an interview with English outlet the Daily Mail, Cutrone revealed some of the background on his exit.
“At a certain point they put me in a position where I said, ‘OK, I have to leave’,” he explained.
“Now I don’t know how to explain what happened, but after I’d spoken to the club I took this decision.
“I was aware of Wolves’ interest and I chose them straight away. In life, you have to make decisions. I was in that situation, which was disappointing because I had a great connection with my team-mates at Milan and the fans really loved me.
“It was nice to receive messages from supporters, team-mates, as it meant I had left something positive behind. I knew a bit about Wolves and I’d always had a little dream about playing in England.
“It’s my first experience away from home. Before now, I’d always been close to home, close to the training ground, so there was a period of adaptation, which is normal.
“I was always attracted by the idea of playing abroad and I was excited to try something new. I’m happy.
“But I’ve left the place I grew up in, far from my parents, my friends, my brother, my grandparents, my girlfriend, so there is a bit of disappointment.
“They’re still close to me, even though I’m in another country. We have a wonderful connection and find time to see each other at weekends or during international breaks.
“I had posters of former Italy strikers Filippo Inzaghi and Marco Borriello. I watched YouTube videos of Marco van Basten and George Weah. I remember the 2007 Champions League final win over Liverpool, but not so much Istanbul 2005 — thankfully. I’ll always be a Milanista.
“Since coming to Wolves, I’ve seen videos of Steve Bull, of what he did at Wolves and Italia 90. It would be great to meet him.”
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