Jan-Carlo Simic experienced a dream debut with the Milan shirt in December 2023: goal in his first match as a starter against Monza. Then, at the end of the 2023/24 season, he was sold to Anderlecht, with whom he has already played 47 matches, with 4 goals to his name. The center-back born in 2005 spoke in a long interview with Gianluca Di Marzio's website.
"I am proud to have made my debut with Milan, but I had to make a professional choice for my career. I want to grow. And that is only possible by playing. Coming to Anderlecht was the best decision for my career. Here I have important minutes on the pitch, which is fundamental for my growth. I am really happy to be here."
About AC Milan, Jan-Carlo Simic said:
"It is a worldwide club, beautiful. I would have liked to play more and I think I would have deserved more chances and more space. But then it’s up to the coach: maybe I was too young and inexperienced to be a starter. But I’m not pointing the finger at anyone. On the contrary, I am grateful for my time at Milan and for the matches I was able to play with that shirt. My self-esteem grew a lot thanks to Milan and that helped me adapt to Anderlecht."
What about Milan's season?
"They have a very good team and I think that with the players they have, they should be at least among the top four. But now they are eighth or ninth in the table and it’s really difficult to explain what happened. Especially from the outside. They won the Supercoppa and they are in the Coppa Italia final. If they end the season with two trophies, it wouldn’t be all to throw away. But I admit that I am incredulous and shocked by the overall performance. I will cheer for them against Bologna."
Jan-Carlo Simic added:
"Something to envy my former teammates? It’s not up to me to say. I was strong enough to play at Milan. But I don’t decide whether I play or not and whether I stay at a club or not. It is the club that makes certain decisions. I can only assert my qualities on the pitch to help the team and the club. This is the only thing I can influence."
On the future:
"I will continue to work and to give my best every day. I want to become the best version of myself. I continue to live day by day also because no one knows their own future. Serie A? I have to continue to grow and here I am in the right place to do that. There are always many rumors circulating in the media but I can only focus on Anderlecht and give everything for this shirt and for its fans. We want to finish the season in style. I don’t know what will happen this summer but certainly my dream is to return to a top league."
