Joao Felix confessed that he advised coach Sergio Conceição he anticipated to play in his most popular function if he joined Milan, a situation that the Portuguese coach was prepared to satisfy, which persuaded the previous Chelsea ahead to make the transfer to San Siro.
The 25-year-old was conscious that Inter have been additionally eager on bringing him to Serie A, however he advised his agent it might have been ‘unattainable’ to affix the Nerazzurri since he had already began conversations with their metropolis rivals.
The Portuguese star scored on his debut, serving to his facet to wrap up a win over Roma within the Coppa Italia quarter-finals, an event throughout which he was instantly received over by the ‘followers’ affection’, as he realised the environment on the San Siro was ‘completely different’ from the one he skilled in different stadiums he performed.
Joao Felix: I want to keep at Milan, there’s a ‘completely different’ environment at San Siro
“We’ve had two victories. I had the chance to play at San Siro and rating for Milan,” Joao Felix stated in his unveiling press convention, as .
“I knew in regards to the greatness of this membership, Milan are big. From the surface, you possibly can see it’s a really massive membership, and whenever you’re inside, you realise you’re in one of many greatest golf equipment in Europe.
“I already knew the coach, I had performed towards him, and I adopted him.
“I advised him what I anticipated: to play in my function. He by no means advised me if I might play lots or just a little, however to play in my function. That’s what satisfied me to come back to Milan.
“For now, I’m on mortgage till June. Let’s see the way it goes. In the meanwhile, I’m actually having fun with all the things: the membership, the folks, the amenities.
“I’ve been welcomed very nicely. Crucial factor is to be the place I really feel good, and I really feel good right here.
“Then, in soccer, issues can change, but when there’s a chance to remain at Milan, I would really like that.
“I instantly liked the environment at San Siro. I’ve skilled this type of atmosphere at Benfica and Atletico Madrid, however I need to say the environment right here was completely different.
“I didn’t anticipate such a welcome; you may actually really feel the followers’ affection. It was an unbelievable environment, and I hope it continues like this.”
Joao Felix additionally spoke about his fundamental soccer inspiration and the prospect of continuous the legacy of membership legend Manuel Rui Costa.
“My participant has all the time been Kakà,” he continued.
“I’ve by no means spoken to him about Milan, however I’ve exchanged concepts with him up to now. He’s an idol for me, however I can’t evaluate myself to him. I hope to make historical past like he did.
“After all I do know Rui Costa. Once I performed at Benfica, he labored there, and now he’s the president. I spoke lots with him once I was at Benfica, however in recent times, we haven’t been in touch a lot.
“I don’t bear in mind when he performed at Milan; what I do know, I’ve seen on YouTube. However I do know he’s an idol right here, similar to Kaká made historical past.”
Is it true that Inter have been additionally all in favour of him?
“Sure, my agent advised me about it,” Joao Felix admitted.
“He stated that Inter was . However I had already began speaking to Milan, and I had already determined to come back right here. I stated it might have been unattainable, I had already made up my thoughts.”
Did he communicate with Rafael Leao earlier than swapping Chelsea for Milan?
“I need to say he was the primary to name me to ask if it was true that I used to be coming,” the ahead revealed.
“He requested me if I used to be going to signal or not, and as quickly as I did, he referred to as me and was very completely satisfied. We’ve a superb relationship, and we have already got good chemistry on the sphere. I like having him by my facet.”
Milan added Joao Felix and Santiago Gimenez to an attacking division that already boasted Christian Pulisic and Leao – can all of them play collectively?
“After all, sure,” the previous Chelsea participant stated.
“I don’t know if it’s regular, however defence is essential. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply that with 4 attackers you possibly can’t defend.
“Gimenez, Pulisic, Leao, and I are attackers, however when it’s time to defend, we’re there doing our job too. We assist in defence and all the time search for stability, as you may see within the second half towards Empoli.”
Why did he select to put on the quantity 79 on his jersey?
“The reality is, it’s a quantity I’m very connected to, my first quantity as an expert,” Joao Felix defined.
“It’s a particular quantity, and it’ll all the time be a part of my profession. I’ve all the time appreciated it. 79, 14, 11, 7… Numbers don’t actually matter, however this one is particular.”