MY ACCOUNT
Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic cited Manchester United’s Paul Pogba as an inspiration as speculation grows over a transfer to Old Trafford.
Milinkovic-Savic has played an integral role at Lazio since joining from Genk in July 2015, appearing over 200 times in Serie A.
The Serbia international has again delivered for Maurizio Sarri’s side this season, providing 10 goals and 11 assists in the league, while no Serie A midfielder can match his 21 goal contributions.
Meanwhile, no Lazio player has started more Serie A games than the 27-year-old this term, while he also ranks top for tackles (67) and duels won (247).
A creative presence as well as a dominant midfielder, only Luis Alberto (64) has created more chances than Milinkovic-Savic (47), but reports in Italy suggest Lazio are ready to sell their star midfielder.
Paris Saint-Germain and United are among the favourites to sign him, with Lazio’s preference not to sell to fellow domestic side Juventus, and Milinkovic-Savic has referenced two Premier League players as his idols.
Pogba, who appears set to depart United at the end of the season, came under special praise from Milinkovic-Savic, while Thiago Alcantara’s creativity for Liverpool was also cited.
“Comparisons between me and Pogba? I learned a lot from him at the beginning when I arrived in Italy and he was at Juventus,” he told DAZN.
“He is tall like me, has the technique and always makes a difference.”
On Thiago, he added: “Against shorter players, I struggle more because I have to lower myself too. Who do I get my cue from? I always look at Thiago from Liverpool.
“I developed some body movements thanks to Futsal, a sport I practised as a child.”
Milinkovic-Savic acknowledged he was pleased to continue developing after producing arguably his best season and spoke long term about harbouring Ballon d’Or ambitions.
“My best year? For a few years, the statistics say, I play a little better,” he added. “If I feel undervalued? I don’t think about this, when I finish the game if I have time I see it again and then I decide if I did well or not, I’m honest with myself.
“In the movements without the ball I have grown a lot over the years. Little by little I have worked and this year you can see the results.
“Five years from now? I don’t think so much about the future, I look day by day and I don’t think too much about things. Ballon d’Or? Of course, I’d like to win it!”
