AC Milan’s Simon Kjaer explains why he’s thrilled with new contract extension: ‘The club of my dreams’

Life is good for AC Milan and Denmark’s Simon Kjaer proper now. The Rossoneri are again within the UEFA Champions League and competing for the Serie A title after restoring their repute as Italian giants, whereas the Danes have adopted their exhilarating UEFA Euro 2020 with 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification with out conceding a single aim.

The 32-year-old from Horsens has been a key cornerstone in all of that as some of the skilled members of the Milan squad and the captain of the Denmark nationwide workforce.

Earlier this week, Kjaer prolonged his contract at San Siro till 2024 and the Danish skipper mentioned with CBS Sports activities what he describes because the “massive dream” that’s presently his on a regular basis actuality.

“I’m very comfortable,” he stated. “It’s a massive sign from the membership that also they are happy with my work and our progress. My household and I are delighted in Milan. I’m very content material with the workforce. We’re in an excellent place. I stated once I arrived that I wish to end my profession right here. This was a giant step. We’ll see in just a few years’ time. I’m very, very proud of the brand new deal.”

Milan has all the time been a membership near Kjaer’s coronary heart and one which he completely needed to play for throughout his profession and he’s now relishing his prolonged stick with the membership after an advanced begin which noticed harm and the COVID-19 pandemic threaten to chop quick his time with the membership.

“I used to be talking with my agent the opposite day after we submitted the contract and I stated that if I may have written my profession and performed for Milan your entire time, then perhaps, perhaps I might change it, Kjaer stated.

“With this new deal, I’ll have been right here for four-and-a-half years. Who is aware of, perhaps longer. With all of the expertise from the opposite international locations’ cultures, I might not change that for something, however I’m very, very comfortable proper now. It’s an honor and a giant privilege for me.”

Kjaer is underneath no illusions that Milan anticipate him to take care of his glorious present kind and he additionally views the membership’s religion in him as a mirrored image of the impeccably excessive skilled requirements he units himself and brings to Stefano Pioli’s group.

“Nothing is handed to you,” the ex-AS Roma, Atalanta BC and Palermo man instructed CBS Sports activities. “What you set in, you get again. It’s also a mirrored image of our progress as a workforce in addition to my particular person degree. I take these two extra years as a significant praise. The membership additionally is aware of that I can’t lean again and chill out — they know my mentality.”

Milan not solely gives the problem that Kjaer is presently sinking his tooth into on the pitch, however in addition they present a house away from house for the well-travelled defender after spells in Germany, France, Turkey, and Spain since he left his homeland in 2008.

“I like Milan,” he stated. “It has all the pieces. We’re near the mountains and to the ocean. The airports make it very worldwide for my spouse, the children and me. I like Italian tradition. Completely the very best place that I’ve been. Now we have all the pieces that we’d like. I’m additionally on the membership of my desires, so how may I complain about something? I’m so grateful to be right here.”

Forward of Sunday’s conflict with former membership Roma (streaming on Paramount+), Milan have been restored to Serie A title rivalry since Kjaer’s arrival in early 2020 and he feels that the progress made since then is tangible as we head towards the Christmas interval.

“We progressed since final 12 months,” Kjaer stated. “I believe we have been additionally first on the finish of December then. To date, 28 factors from 30 is lots and it has been an excellent begin. I believe we have now grown as a workforce. Video games we drew final 12 months we’re successful, and we’re additionally successful when we have now not performed so effectively.

“Now we have been troublesome to beat, and we have now proven maturity in that which is a giant step. With final summer season’s signing, we have now grown and added high quality to the squad. In fact, we’re preventing for the title now, however I additionally stated in the beginning of the season that we would have liked to higher second place final 12 months. That solely leaves one place to go.”

Kjaer admits that Napoli are Milan’s primary rivals for the Scudetto at current because the Rossoneri search their first title since 2010-11. Relying on the outcome Luciano Spalletti and his facet come away from Salernitana with this weekend, Milan may quickly be main the pack.

“Napoli are wanting very, very robust,” Kjaer stated. “They’re very dynamic, they usually play superb soccer. I believe that it’s nonetheless early within the season as a result of there are such a lot of issues that may impression a whole season. You have got Corona and accidents — two, or three dangerous ones and you’ll lose six or seven essential video games.

“I believe that there are such a lot of groups, particularly this 12 months, that are across the similar degree. It’s a little bit in regards to the circumstances we mentioned earlier however it’s wonderful. It retains you in your toes each recreation to be aggressive on a regular basis. Small particulars could make the distinction. It’s thrilling for individuals on the surface but in addition for us to be a part of such a season.”

Kjaer additionally feels that Rafa Leão is coming into his personal this time period and that the Portugal worldwide has the potential to usually make the distinction in Milan’s favor with 4 targets to his identify already this marketing campaign.

“Rafa has a lot high quality and potential that I believe we have now seen him develop lots this season,” he stated. “He wants to enhance much more and be decisive for the workforce in each recreation, however I believe that he has improved, and it looks as if his head is in a greater place. We attempt to assist to push him, however it’s as much as Rafa on the finish of the day. He has some qualities that we have now not usually seen. If he might be extra constant than he already has been, he can be an amazing future determine for me.”

You possibly can comply with Kjaer and his Milan teammates as they journey to Stadio Olimpico to face Jose Mourinho’s Roma on Sunday solely on Paramount+.