One of Milan’s summer signings was Koni De Winter. The defender spoke to Nieuwsblad Sport about his first weeks in Milan:
“They paid €20 million for me? If you look at transfer fees in recent years, I think Milan got a good deal from Genoa."
There's an interview with Charles De Ketelaere where he said, ‘At Milan you’re expected to perform right away.’ For now, you’ve often come off the bench. Does that weigh on you?
"Right now I’m an alternative, I don’t yet have the status to make demands of Allegri. I’m self-critical, and I have the ambition to become a starter. I need to stay humble, and at some point the reward will come.”
Were you immediately excited by the move?
"We’re talking about Milan, one of the biggest clubs in Europe. As a kid I watched Ronaldinho play here. My family wasn’t obsessed with football, we didn’t have pay-TV to follow foreign leagues, but of course I often saw Milan in the Champions League. That Milan made you dream, with Ronaldinho, Alexandre Pato, and David Beckham. That aura is still there."
Did you have alternatives? I heard Inter also made a move... De Winter answered:
"When Milan come in, you don’t think twice. But it’s true, other big Italian clubs asked about me (including Napoli), as well as English clubs. There was even interest from the Middle East with very lucrative offers.”
Are you still able to go out calmly now that you play for Milan?
"Italian fans are fiery inside the stadiums, I like that aggressive atmosphere, but outside they leave you alone. The only one in the squad who would cause chaos in a restaurant is Luka Modrić. But then again, when you’re that strong, it’s normal."
You shared a dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus. Do you think Luka Modrić is even stronger? De Winter commented:
"It’s hard to compare, they’re different players, both extraordinary. But I have to say Modrić really impressed me. First of all, his football intelligence, he sees the game differently, faster. Then he has magical feet. Even off the pitch he’s outstanding, humble, never puts himself above others, yet he has a ridiculous record, a Ballon d’Or and six Champions League titles. And he never complains, not even when running is required. If he doesn’t complain, why should anyone else?"
