Milan ambition pleases Pirlo

Team attitude the deciding factor in Chelsea snub, says midfielder

Last updated: 8th August 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Milan ambition pleases Pirlo

Pirlo: Hungry for success

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Andrea Pirlo believes that his move to Chelsea was turned down because AC Milan think they can win the Serie A title this season.

Milan finished 10 points behind champions Inter at the end of the last campaign and have since been hit by the departure of manager Carlo Ancelotti and star player Kaka, as well as the retirement of Paolo Maldini.

But Italy midfielder Pirlo denies that this will be a season of transition for the Rossoneri, saying he would have signed for Chelsea if he thought he could not contend for the Scudetto.

"If I thought Milan's aim was a good place in the standings I'd be at Chelsea now," Pirlo told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I want to win. That's not just words. I'm convinced this is possible. You'll see what the historic group can do. We'll make everyone rethink and eat lots of criticism."

Pride

Pirlo played under current Blues boss Ancelotti for eight years at Milan and was tipped to link up with his mentor again at Stamford Bridge.

However, new manager Leonardo refused to sell the 30-year-old, a decision that Pirlo believes shows how determined the former Brazil international is to succeed.

"Ancelotti didn't take it so well. I spoke to him and he understood. I told him Leonardo had dug his heels in and this is a source of pride for me," he added.

Despite the fact that his side will have to cope without the influence of Kaka and Maldini, Pirlo does not think the performance of the team will suffer.

"Obviously the absence of Kaka and Maldini will be felt, but each one of us will give a bit more," he said.

"Their goodbyes closed a chapter, now it's time to write another and I'm happy to be here to try."