MY ACCOUNT
Fikayo Tomori insists he has put the disappointment of missing out on England’s World Cup squad behind him after his man-of-the-match performance helped AC Milan dump Tottenham out of the Champions League.
The Chelsea academy graduate blocked everything in his path as Milan held Spurs to a goalless draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to progress 1-0 on aggregate — and pile more misery onto Antonio Conte’s stumbling side.
After collecting his Player of the Match trophy, Tomori revealed that the big nights with Milan had helped him move on from not being a part of Gareth Southgate’s squad for Qatar.
He said: “Obviously that was a disappointment not going to the World Cup but sometimes it happens and I just have to move on.
“Nights like this, after the work we’ve done the whole season leading up to nights like this with Milan, this is what I play football for.
“Honestly, day to day, I am not thinking about the national team.
“I’m just focused on Milan, what I’m doing day to day and trying to replicate the levels and go past the levels I have set already.”
Tomori’s performances for the Rossoneri have caught the eye of Premier League clubs but having signed a contract until June 2027, his focus is very much on his Serie A outfit.
Learning from the likes of Milan technical director Paolo Maldini has helped him develop as he has adapted to life in the north of Italy.
He said: “Before I came to Milan, I knew how big the club was, but actually being there and seeing how the fans are, you saw how they were today.
“They are so passionate about the team and all through Italy they are the same.
“Different style, obviously different language, those kind of things play a part.
“It has been such a great learning experience for me because I grew up my whole life in England, learning a certain type of way.
“Coming here and learning a different type of football with people like Paolo, who have been helping me a lot, and all the great players who have played here. I have just tried to take it as much as I can.
“It is not easy because it is very different to England but I’m loving every minute of it.”
