DFB newcomer Thiaw on rapid development and Milan change

Player of the month in February

New signing Malick Thiaw only managed 72 minutes in the first half of Serie A for AC Milan. At least since his successful Champions League debut, for which the ex-Schalke player even received praise from club and defense legend Paolo Maldini, the 21-year-old has been in the Rossoneri’s new three-man chain. In an interview with the portal “ran‘ Thiaw gave an insight into his early days in Italy.

“I find it a bit amusing when it is always mentioned that I had teething problems. I already expected that as a newcomer I wouldn’t be the big star right away and play all the games. I switched from the second division to the Italian champions and didn’t speak the language at first – so it’s normal that I need some time to get used to it,” explained the central defender. Nevertheless, from his point of view, since the change last summer “everything has gone according to plan”: “When things are going well at such a big club, it’s not easy to get into the team. But over time it got better and better, especially in training.”

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Thiaw was called up to the senior squad for the first time at the weekend following the short-term absence of Southampton’s Armel Bella-Kotchap. He was originally part of the squad for the U21 squad that is testing against Japan and Romania ahead of the European Championship this summer. “It’s a super stepping stone, because the exchange between the coaches is very good. The permeability from the U21 to the senior team is there,” said the native of Düsseldorf, summing up the short-term development in an interview with the portal. In the most recent Serie A update, he was able to increase his market value by 6 million to 15 million euros – making Thiaw one of the 15 most valuable U21 players in the world in his position.

In Milan, fans voted him Player of the Month in February. Despite the recent positive development, however, the youngster “doesn’t see himself as set” in coach Stefano Pioli’s team given the competition on the defensive for players like Fikayo Tomori, Pierre Kalulu, Matteo Gabbia or Simon Kjaer.

“At a club like Milan you have to prove yourself every week,” said Thiaw, who reflected: “Of course I wanted to play from the start, but sometimes you just need a little patience at a new club. The coach saw my development and obviously waited for the right time for me. And I took this chance. The last few weeks have been going really well for me.”

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