AC Milan midfielder Aster Vranckx has admitted that the club’s youth policy as well as the words of his compatriots convinced him to join in the summer.
Vranckx arrived towards the end of the summer window from Wolfsburg on a paid loan with an option to buy which is set at €12m according to all major sources. Yesterday he made his official debut with Milan in Serie A against Sampdoria coming off the bench for the closing stages.
Today is the day of Vranckx’s official presentation as a Milan player and while speaking to the media he revealed his feelings after sealing the move as well as some background and information on his playing style. His comments were relayed by MilanNews.
You strongly wanted Milan as Milan strongly wanted you. What did Milan represent as a symbol during your young career?
“For me, Milan are a great club that has made football history, with many great players from the past. Now I’m here and I will train as best I can to deserve this opportunity.”
Last season you had Van Bommel as a manager, how important was he for you as a midfielder?
“I learned a lot from him, he had a great career. He gave me advice to help me, it was a great experience.”
What are your feelings and emotions after yesterday’s debut against Sampdoria?
“They were difficult minutes, we had 10 men. I entered with the mentality of running as long as there was to run to help my teammates. I gave my best, it was a great emotion.”
Do you have a role model, a player you are inspired by?
“When I was young, but even now, I watched Moussa Dembele. There are many good players but Moussa Dembele is one of those I have always looked up to with respect and admiration.”
What did you speak about with Pioli after the game yesterday?
“What we said remains between me and him, they were tactical issues. He always tries to give me advice and help me to understand how Milan play.”
What struck you the most in these first weeks at Milan?
“It was a great pleasure to be part of this team. The facilities are at the top, they help me and motivate me to give more and more.”
Did you speak to any Belgian team-mates before coming to Milan this summer?
“I know Saelemaekers and Divock Origi from the national team, then I’ve known De Ketelaere for a long time and called him: they gave me many positive opinions.”
Where do you like to play?
“If I play in midfield I am happy, I like to play in defensive midfield even if maybe a little more going forward.”
How important is it to know that Milan focuses a lot on young people?
“It was one of the most important reasons that made me come here. I really wanted to be part of being here, I see that there are young talents who are growing well and last year they were also in the Champions League.”
Do you feel ready to take on Kessie’s legacy?
“I think I came here with the desire, the determination and the desire to show what I can do. I’m always positive, I’m ready.”
How easy was it for an internationally experienced footballer like you to integrate into last night’s difficult match against Sampdoria?
“We had to stay united, press and defend together. We had to give our lives not to concede goals, I entered with this mentality and that’s what we did.”
In a year, why will Aster Vranckx have to be redeemed by AC Milan and become an integral part of the project?
“I think about working hard every day in training, when I have the opportunity to play I will try to make the most of it.”
Finally, on your ability to press and recover balls…
“This is certainly one of my qualities, that of intercepting balls forward.”
“What we said remain between me and him”….that’s a real Matured man