Theo Hernandez has revealed that he took a pay cut in order to complete his move from Real Madrid to AC Milan this summer.
The full-back arrived from Los Blancos in a €20million deal and was the first deal that the Rossoneri officially announced, with Paolo Maldini playing a big hand in his signing.
After initially struggling for game time under previous head coach Marco Giampaolo, it seems that Hernandez has taken Ricardo Rodriguez’s spot in the starting XI for the time being.
The Frenchman has showed glimpses of what he is capable of in a Milan shirt, and it is hopes that Stefano Pioli can get the best out of him.
Hernandez spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about his time at the club so far.
“It is an honour to have been chosen by Maldini. He is part of the history of football, not only of Milan, and with me he was very convincing,” he said, via MilanNews.it.
“It didn’t take me long to decide to accept the offer. It’s a dream. Paolo is a defender who is a model for everyone.”
Hernandez also confirmed that he did indeed accept a reduction in his salary to make the move to San Siro.
“I talked to my agent and we immediately agreed. Milan is a club with a great history, one of the most titled in the world. It was worth making such a choice.
“I am twenty-two years old, I have a lot to learn. Milan is a fundamental landing. I am here to stay many years and write my story. My dream is to win a Champions League with Milan, but the first step is to qualify for the next.
“A lot of things happen in football and I don’t know how long it will take to get back to the top, but the road is right.
“We have a good team and I think we can get fourth place already this season. It is a young group, we need to know each other, but there are also many more experienced players who help us overcome the difficulties.
“In reality, this team is a mix. There are so many boys of my age who live things as I do them, but like I said there are also many players of other ages and of great personalities who are very important. They make us understand this beautiful environment.”
Giampaolo was sacked as head coach after just 111 days following a run of four defeats in seven games to start the season.
“We have time to recover. Pioli teaches us many things, we are learning a lot. He is a prepared person and slowly we will be able to go back.
“I really like his new playing style, but the important thing is to help the team and I know I can’t avoid work. I’m a defender, my job is that.
“Pioli leaves us freedom but not too much: in Italy it is important to have a defined organisation. I came here to complete myself. I am learning. I really like pushing and attacking, but I also know that I must learn to do something else.”
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