Sankhoun Diawara has said he was surprised when Milan came calling this summer, and the young defender is now waiting for his chance to break into the side.
Diawara arrived as the third signing of the window after Goncalo Ramos and Mario Gila, though at a much smaller outlay than either. He is early in his career and comes with a reputation as a defender who could grow into something considerable, which is the profile the Rossoneri paid for rather than the finished article.
Speaking to MilanNews during a meet-and-greet event at the Via Dante store alongside Alphadjo Cisse, Diawara described his reaction to Milan’s approach. “When I heard the club wanted to sign me, I was satisfied, happy, and even a little surprised,” he said.
He was not short of options, but the decision came quickly once Milan showed their hand. “In this transfer window, other teams also wanted me, but I was so happy with Milan’s interest that it took me very little to decide and choose the Rossoneri,” he explained. “I can’t wait to discover San Siro, which is a legendary and incredible stadium, and I hope to get some playing time.”
His choice of shirt number points to the club’s history. “Even though I was quite young, I always admired Alessandro Nesta, which is why I took his number,” Diawara said, adding that Paolo Maldini was another defender he looked up to.
As for his own game, he laid out a clear picture. “I feel comfortable with the ball at my feet, but I consider myself an aggressive defender and good in aerial duels,” he said.
Diawara also spoke warmly about working under Massimiliano Allegri’s squad setup and settling into the group, though it was the coach’s ideas that he singled out. “I get along very well with Coach Amorim, and I hope to learn Italian soon,” he said. “I like the coach’s perspective on football, which is also one of the reasons I chose AC Milan. I get along well with everyone, not just the French or those who speak my language.”
His ambitions leave little room for modesty. “My goal is to win trophies with AC Milan, so why not even the Scudetto?” he said, before admitting he is still finding his feet in a new city and hoping to pick up Italian quickly.
For now, Diawara is a project rather than a first-team certainty, and the next word belongs to Amorim on how quickly he gets his look at San Siro.