Fikayo flying the flag

Written by:

Nicholas Veevers

England's Fikayo Tomori says playing for AC Milan is helping to bring out the best in him

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Fikayo Tomori admits he's loving life in Italy, as he returned to the England squad for October's internationals.

The defender made a permanent switch to AC Milan this summer, following a loan spell with the Serie A giants earlier this year.

And his form at the San Siro this term has earned him a recall to the Three Lions group, having not been involved since November 2019.

"It feels good," said the former Chelsea man.

"To have been here [with England], then been out of it and now back here - it's my goal now to stay here.

Tomori has been in impressive form with the Rossoneri in both Serie A and the Champions League this season

"Every footballer just wants to play and I got the opportunity to do that at Milan and when it's such a big club, I'm so happy and excited to be there.

"I'm really comfortable and settled there, the Italian's coming along well and I'm starting to understand it and speak a little and it's all helped me to being back here now.

"Every football fan knows of AC Milan and how big a club it is, and there is a pressure to win and a pressure to perform. There's so many fans in the stadium and in Milan, so you definitely feel the pressure to perform.

"That brings out the best in me and with that kind of pressure and need to win, it's a driving force.

"It's been a good time so far and I'm really enjoying it."

06 Oct 2021 8:07

England arrive at SGP

The Three Lions squad check in ahead of October's internationals

As well as representing one of the world's biggest clubs, playing in Milan has allowed the former Gravesend Grammar School pupil access to advice from the legendary defender Paolo Maldini, who now works as the club's technical director.

"We had a chat at the end of the loan last April to see what he thinks of my game and where I can improve and he's really engaging," revealed Tomori.

"When he was speaking to me, I was like woah, 'this is Paolo Maldini'.

"But he's at the training ground and there every day and with me being a defender, you want to impress him.

"Having a legend like that, when he says something you listen, so he's good to have around."

The Three Lions squad face a trip to play Andorra away on Saturday 9 October, before returning to Wembley on Tuesday 12 October when Hungary are the visitors in the FIFA 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifiers.