Serie A - Pirlo: Milan stronger than ever

Eurosport - Sat, 08 Aug 10:39:00 2009

Andrea Pirlo believes his decision to snub Chelsea proves that Milan are a team with ambition and he has vowed to make critics eat their words.

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Several former players and pundits have suggested Milan needed to shake things up and rely less on stalwarts such as Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf and Gennaro Gattuso after a disappointing couple of seasons.

However, the Italy midfielder does not agree.

"If I thought Milan's aim was a good place in the standings I'd be at Chelsea now," Pirlo told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I want to win. That's not just words. I'm convinced this is possible.

"You'll see what the historic group can do. We'll make everyone rethink and eat lots of criticism."

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti tried to sign Pirlo, the cornerstone of his Milan side that won the Champions League in 2003 and 2007.

However, owner Silvio Berlusconi said this week that Chelsea's offer had been rejected and the 30-year-old would stay at Milan for the rest of his career.

New coach Leonardo's insistence on keeping Pirlo, Milan's main creative force after the sale of Brazil playmaker Kaka to Real Madrid, was fundamental, he added.

"Ancelotti didn't take it so well," Pirlo said. "I spoke to him and he understood. I told him Leonardo had dug his heels in and this is a source of pride for me."

Pirlo was also confident his side would deal with the loss of Kaka and retired captain Paolo Maldini.

"Obviously the absence of Kaka and Maldini will be felt, but each one of us will give a bit more," he said.

"Their goodbyes closed a chapter, now it's time to write another and I'm happy to be here to try."

Reuters

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  1. Thank God you din't come to Chelsea. the coach­ wanted you but the fans thinks you are old for the­ liking ....
    As such don't want you at Stanford­ bridge.
    I am so pleased you refused coming , and will­ hope you never played come in future..
    .not because you­ re not a good footballer but because we have many old­ player and would only want the kinda of players that­ will be good for the future. moreover, chelsea have the­ best midfielders in experience and in number.

    hanks­ pirlo for not coming cos you would have been facing­ rotation with ballack, Essien, Mikel , Lampard and­ more. goodluck there in milan. think u made the rigt­ choice. stay there are retire there.

    From princeyy26, on Sat 8 Aug 5:59PM

  2. Unfortunately we will not be challanging for the­ scedutto this year, people are forgetting our key loss­ was Gourcoff. We all knew our beloved Kaka was leaving­ but the loss of our future number 10 for the next­ decade Gourcoff was tough. That said we will still­ finish third behind Juve (winners) and inter (runners­ up).

    From football4life, on Sat 8 Aug 4:43PM

  3. Milan have had some great sides over the years, This­ old team is maybe the worst since they were relegated­ in the mid 1980's.

    From redruthkid, on Sat 8 Aug 11:10AM

  4. The days of the Gre-No-Li? Then Van Basten, Gullit,­ Baresi, Rijkaard, Maldini? I'm a bit unsure on­ this...

    From The Northerner, on Sat 8 Aug 10:47AM
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