Here's the presentation press conference of Ardon Jashari.
Have you found the Milan you imagined?
“My feelings about this club are incredible. It’s a dream come true, not just for me but also for my family. I’ve been here for only a short time, but I’ve received a warm welcome from everyone. I’m settling in well. It’s an honor to be here.”
It was a long negotiation to get here…
“Everyone knows it was a long negotiation, but from my very first contacts with Milan, it was clear I wanted to come here. I knew it wouldn’t be easy because I was important to Club Brugge and they wouldn’t let me leave easily. Patience was needed. Tare always told me he would do everything possible to bring me here. Even when other clubs came forward, I only wanted Milan. Now we’re all happy.”
What has impressed you about Allegri?
“I’ve been here for a week, but I can only say positive things about Allegri and his staff. From the start, I understood that he is a coach who stays close to the team. There’s great harmony in the dressing room. And of course, we all go out on the pitch to win.”
Is the biggest challenge the expectations that have been created?
“The only thing I have in common with De Ketelaere is that we came from the same club, but we’re two different players. I do feel a bit of pressure, but anyone who wears this shirt knows the pressure that comes with it, so it’s normal. I’ll work hard to make the fans proud and repay the club’s trust. I’ll work hard to become an important player.”
When you supported Milan, who was your idol?
“My favorite Milan player was Pirlo. I have a similar story to his, he started as a number 10 and so did I. Then he came here and played as a playmaker. I also started as an attacking midfielder and now I play deeper. He’s been a big source of inspiration for me. Obviously, we are different players, and I’ll put my own style on the pitch.”
Were you also surprised by your performance against Leeds? What’s your goal for the season? Jashari answered:
“I thank Allegri for his kind words after the Leeds match. I hadn’t played a game for two months, so it was a bit hard to find my rhythm again, but I felt good on the pitch. I had only been training with the team for two days, but I wanted to make a good impression on everyone. I have a lot of room for improvement and will continue to grow. Goals? We have to win as much as possible. This club deserves many trophies. I’ll try to give my best in every match.”
What’s it like to play with Modric?
“This club has had fantastic players, and I’m proud to wear the same shirt as them. Modric has so much experience, and that can help me a lot every day. I’ll try to enjoy playing with him and grow alongside him.”
Have you imagined your first game at San Siro?
“When I was little, I came to watch Milan against Barcelona. I’ve always dreamed of being a footballer, and I grew up following these two teams. I find it hard to find the right words to express what I feel being here.”
In which position do you see yourself playing best?
“Allegri will decide where to play me. In midfield there are a lot of rotations, so you need to be able to fill multiple roles. We’ll see how he wants to set up the team. I can play as a number 10 or as a number 6, the coach will decide.”
Do you consider yourself a winner? Has your friend Xhaka helped you in that regard?
“Xhaka has had a great career and is still a top player. I’ve learned a lot from him, we grew up with the same grit and fire inside us. We always give everything, and when we’re on the pitch, we always want to win. I want to contribute and pass on that fire to the team. Often, the team that wants it more ends up winning.”
What are your thoughts on the derby with Inter? Did Inter ever approach you in the past?
“I always wanted to come to Milan. As soon as I heard about their interest, I had no doubts. Even if other Italian clubs had been interested, I only wanted Milan. I know how important the derby is for the fans, we’ll give everything to beat Inter.”
What do you expect from Italian football?
“It’s a different level compared to Belgium, much more physical. That said, football in Belgium is growing a lot. Playing for Milan and in Serie A is a dream. Wearing the Milan shirt in Serie A is what I’ve always wanted.”
Has any teammate particularly impressed you?
“What struck me the most is the harmony between the players, the coach, and the staff. The first time I saw Modric next to me was incredible, he makes these small gestures that make things easier for you on the pitch.”
What impact has Zlatan Ibrahimović had?
“It was a good negotiation between me and Milan. I was treated well by Tare, and then I also spoke with Ibrahimović. He introduced me to the club. During these weeks of talks, Tare gave me great confidence that he would eventually bring me to Milan. When you deal with people like that, you also push yourself to do more to make it happen. I want to thank everyone who worked to close this deal, and I especially thank Tare, we’re here to open a new era.”
Is attacking or defending more important to you? Jashari replied:
“I’ll help the team in both phases. I’ll provide assists, and I’ll defend with the fire I have inside me. The first thing is not to concede goals, then up front we have the quality to score. I want to help the team both defensively and offensively.”
What picture would you like to take at the end of the season?
“The most important thing is to have success with the club. On a personal level, it’s about feeling good and giving my contribution. I want to win as much as possible. It’s going to be a great season.”
Do you want to score more and provide more assists?
“Every player loves to score and make assists. I’ll try to help the team in both phases, then I’ll think about goals and assists. It doesn’t matter whether I do it or my teammates do it. The important thing is to win.”
What ambition have you found at Milan?
"They’re very high. The goal is to win matches, and if you win matches, you win trophies."
