Tiemoue Bakayoko admits it is his ‘dream’ to stay at Milan permanently but insists ‘right now I just want to finish the season in the top four.’
Bakayoko struggled in the early part of his loan spell from Chelsea but has gone on to become a leading light in Milan’s midfield, with the Rossoneri able to buy the Frenchman for €35m at the end of the season.
“I heard what Leonardo said [about me staying permanently if Milan qualify for the Champions League], but I’m not in a position to talk about it. It’s an issue that concerns Milan and Chelsea,” he told Corriere dello Sport.
“Staying at Milan is my dream and the fixed thought in my mind, but I have a contract with Chelsea.
“Right now I just want to finish the season in the top four. After that we’ll think about it.”
Milan midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko claims ‘all the fans have changed their minds about me’ and that he is ‘most like’ Patrick Vieira.
Bakayoko has grown into a crucial component in Milan’s midfield since arriving from Chelsea on loan last summer, and the Frenchman gave more insight into his spell at San Siro.
“I think all the fans have changed their mind about me and I’m happy about that,” he told Milan TV.
“I’m very happy, the team are playing well and improved a lot. I think the last three or four games, teams haven’t scored against us and I think we need to keep going, but I’m very happy to be here, to finish the season well.
“All the players are my friends, I’m a friendly guy and I don’t have a problem with anyone. We have a good relationship.
“I know my teammates well, they know me better than two months ago. I’m just working hard and trying to be better for the team.
“I’m happy in this period and I’m playing well. I’m very humble, if I’m here it’s because the team are playing very well.
“I just listen to music, relax and talk to Franck Kessie because he’s funny and after that, I’m on my game.
“I always try to improve. I’m here for just six months but I think after nine months I’ll be better with the team.
“We just have to work and improve in every training session and match. I’ve prepared something for when I score my first goal, but I can’t show you now....
“Piatek’s a fast player, intelligent, and I think he’ll help the team quickly. He scored two goals in our last game and I’m happy for him. I think with him we can really finish in the top four.
“I’m most like Vieira because he’s tall, strong and he has a lot of technical ability. I think I’m most like this type of player.
“I just want to thank the fans for their confidence in me. We need them to finish in the top [four] places.”
Tiemoue Bakayoko believes his ‘perfect’ relationship with Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso has been behind his improved form in recent months.
In the second part of his interview with Corriere dello Sport, Bakayoko admitted he was not ‘happy’ with Gattuso’s early criticism of his performances for Milan but revealed he had been struck by the ‘love’ of his Coach.
“After Gattuso’s words, I wasn’t feeling good and I wasn’t happy,” continued the Chelsea loanee.
“I felt questioned in what was my position on the field, but I never talked to him about them. I only thought about working and nothing else
“I know myself and I know what my qualities are: I was convinced that by training hard, satisfaction would follow.
“I never thought joining Milan was the wrong move. Not everything’s gone well for me in my short career.
“Sometimes the start of an adventure at a new club has been difficult: It happened to me at both Monaco and Chelsea, and that’s why I wasn’t surprised that history repeated itself at Milan. I need time to adapt, but then… Gattuso’s qualities? I don’t know if he has any…
“I joke, I joke! Gattuso loves his players and gives everything so they train well. His talent lies in showing love to his players.
“He wasn’t the player I most looked up to, but I say that with great respect because he won the Champions League, which is my dream. Please don’t tell him…
“For me he’s the boss and a great person who’s helped me a lot: in the first 2-3 months when not all was well we talked every day, but now there’s no need because we understand each other with a simple look.
“Our relationship is perfect. Am I a leader like Gattuso says? I don’t know. I try to give my all for the team and fans and do things by giving 100 percent because I have a big heart.
“It’s important when the Coach believes you’re a leader.”