Soualiho Meité signed with AC Milan coming from Torino on loan with a buy-option. He made his debut against Cagliari. Today, he was presented to the media and these are his statements:
"A midfielder must know both defending and attacking. I like to play like that."
What group did you find here at Milan?
"I immediately felt the compactness of the group, we talk a lot and I liked it a lot. In Cagliari, it was nice to enter the field."
The best moment in your career?
"Milan are the strongest team I've played for. There are many champions, Ibra does amazing things at 40. I'm young and I have to do more and more."
On the chance to play for Milan:
"Of course this is a great chance. Milan are a great team, if I do well I can change my career. These months will be very important."
What went wrong for you in your last few weeks with Torino?
"At Torino things were not going well, we won little. From a mental point of view it was not easy."
On meeting Pioli:
"I really like his way of playing. He wants us to always play forward, it's important for a midfielder like me."
On his inspiration:
"I like many midfielders. I watch the best players like Pirlo, Modric and Yaya Touré. I watch their videos to try to learn from them."
On the choice for the number 18:
"When I started in the first team it was my first number, so I chose it again because it was good for me."
On already knowing Kessié:
"It is important to know someone like Franck who will help me fit in better."
On the differences between Pioli and Giampaolo at Torino
"They have different ideas. I can't say if one is better than the other, they have different ways of seeing things. I really like Pioli's way of playing."
On the help Meité can give to the team:
"I came here to help the team stay first in the standings. I want to do more and more, I have to work hard and help the group."
On similarities with Desailly:
"I know him well being French like me. He has done great things, I have yet to write my story. Desailly is Desailly, Meité is Meitè."
The last player at Milan with similar hair style was Gullit...
"I have never watched him play, but I know that he was great."
How do you feel in a 4-2-3-1:
"I know my characteristics well. In this team everyone moves a lot and I like this a lot. I don't know my teammates very well, but from the first training session I immediately felt comfortable. Football is like a language, if you understand it, then everything is alright."
When did you realise you can really join AC Milan?
"It was before the league match. My agent called me and told me we had to talk with Maldini. From that moment on, I understood that I could get to Milan."
What did you feel when you heard about Milan?
"I was very happy. Other clubs were looking for me, but when I heard about Milan's interest I wanted to come here immediately."
