Kessie discusses ‘complicated’ start to relationship with Pioli and makes declaration over future

By Oliver Fisher -

AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie has revealed that he is happy to be a Rossoneri player as he reflected on his excellent recent form.

Kessie is enjoying constant growth and is increasingly becoming a mainstay of Milan amid their recent resurgence. Not surprisingly, he has played 122 out of 128 games since he has been here, which is 95%, and has scored in the last three league gmaes.

La Gazzetta dello Sport noted on Thursday how his value now is much more than the €28million spent in summer 2017 to buy him from Atalanta, but it is a matter of little interest to Milan as they have no intention of selling, despite rumours of interest from other clubs including Inter.

Kessie spoke to Sky Italia about a number of different topics, and his words were transcribed by MilanNews.

“During the break we always worked. We did what the coach said, we followed the physical work that the trainer entrusted well and now we can see the results. We won with the great teams because Milan are a great team,” he said.

“We must try to stay focused and try to continue this positive moment until the end. Yesterday was the best goal of my career so far. Now I have to do even more.”

On the target of finishing fifth: “Everything is possible. We must always give our best, we must score points in all games and not think of Roma. Everyone is committed, both who plays and who enters the bench who enter with great determination.”

On his relationship with Calhanoglu and Ibrahimovic: “I have a good relationship with the whole team, I laugh and joke with everyone.

“I am very happy for Hakan, he is returning to the levels seen in Germany. Ibrahimovic is a great champion and has brought a lot of experience in the team. When you are close to him he is capable to help you.”

On his possible departure last summer: “The journalists said that I could leave but neither I nor the club had this will. I will stay until the end of my contract because I am very happy.”

On his relationship with Pioli: “When a coach arrives you have to try to understand what the relationship might be. At the beginning it was a bit more complicated but now the relationship is positive.

“He explained to me a lot what I have to do on the pitch also because with Gattuso there were others requests. I needed some time to understand what the coach wanted.”

On leadership in the locker room: “I grew up a lot and I spent a lot of time here. It is normal that he has now become a serious player and he must lead by example.

“We want to make Milan return to the Champions League, at the highest levels where it deserves to be. The whole team wants it. Now we must continue this positive moment also next year.”

Tags AC Milan Franck Kessie
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