AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori has admitted that his move to Italy from Chelsea nearly three years ago has helped him, and he is now back in Gareth Southgate’s England plans.
Tomori has become one of Milan’s most important performers and he was a huge factor in both the Scudetto win in 2021-22 when the team had the joint-best defensive record in the league as well as the run to the final four of the Champions League last season.
Despite his excellent form, the Cobham graduate has often found it difficult to get playing time with England, being snubbed from squads altogether before recently being named in a few consecutive camps but without earning a starting spot.
Tomori spoke during an interview with talkSPORT about his time at Milan and his ambitions with the England national team ahead of tonight’s game against Malta.
“Obviously not being called up can be frustrating but for me it is an extra motivation to do well and improve my style of play. I have tried to do so and this season I have been called up on every occasion so far. The next goal is to play more matches and stay within the national team,” he said.
“The Premier League is a different league to Serie A. I think, however, it’s about the small details, from what Pioli asks of me and what Southgate asks of me. Those small details that could be in a match but maybe not in the next one. My goal remains to improve and this season has started very well.
“Going to Milan helped me, it allowed me to have a different perspective from how people see football. The league in Italy is different and so are the people who follow it. Not only that, however, in football, my life has also changed and the Italian culture suits me. Normally Italians are calm, but when it comes to football they become very passionate. It’s a different experience and I’ve learned a lot.
“Every time I come back here I try to listen to my team-mates, to improve. There are many top players in the team and it’s easy for me. In training you play with Harry Kane, with Wilson, with Watkins and they are players who they challenge you, they stimulate you to improve. We help each other, in the end we all play for the same team and have the same goal.
“It’s the details that make the difference. What to do with or without the ball, communication, are important things for a defender. Being good at finding the right pass or positioning yourself in the best way to help the team when we defend These are things they asked me but in some matches they might ask me different things. The coach helps me and I know there is room for me in this team.
“Obviously I was disappointed not to have been called up for the World Cup, being so close to it and then not going with my teammates was difficult. I always try to play better at Milan and I know that Southgate is watching me, so I have to always play at a high level. I believe that that disappointment can be used as motivation to go to the European Championships and I know that I can do it.”
I have this feeling that hes gonna get “homesick” by the end of season. These fantastic performances are gonna bring his price up. Just hope that in this case we at least cash in 60-80m
Considering his recent performance and his significance to the team, 100M should be the price — not that I want him gone or anything.