Thursday 19 November 2015 08:35, UK
Keisuke Honda insists he will stay and fight for his place at AC Milan amid reported interest from the Premier League.
The 29-year-old has not started for Milan in almost two months and there have been reports that he has fallen out with head coach Sinisa Mihajlovic.
However, he has denied that he has handed in a transfer request and says he is determined to succeed at the San Siro.
"I will tell you one thing clearly: I won't leave Milan of my own accord," he told Japan's Nikkan Sports newspaper. "I came to Milan with unshakeable determination and unless they tell me they don't want me, I'm going nowhere. I won't run away.
"It's more difficult than I imagined it would be at Milan, but of course I won't give up.
"Of course I have to accept my disappointing performances, but I have confidence of fighting back. I know it will be difficult to win back my place but I haven't given up."
Honda's plight at Milan, where he has cut a forlorn figure this season, has reportedly alerted Everton and Tottenham, with West Ham United also being linked to the Japan playmaker.
Italian media have reported that Honda has asked to be allowed to go, while Mihajlovic said those who were frustrated were "free to leave" after Honda recently hit out at the Serb by saying it was pointless blaming the players for the team's current slump.
"I don't look at everything through the eyes of a footballer," admitted Honda. "As a person, I think about how Keisuke Honda walks on. I understand people saying (Milan) doesn't suit my style, or I'm not playing, I should move to a club that wants me.
"I get that. I happen to be a footballer, yes, but as a person I think about living my life in a way that doesn't embarrass my fans."
