Torino's prized asset Nikola Maksimovic says there is 'no point' in signing for big clubs without guarantees, and discusses mentor Sinisa Mihajlovic.

Ahead of tomorrow's 19:45 GMT game between the Granata and Milan, the defender targeted by Napoli mentioned the current Rossoneri Coach as one of the major influences in his life.

“Mihajlovic was a mentor,” Maksimovic told the Gazzetta dello Sport. “He called me in the [Serbian] national team when I was 20 and he advised me to move to Italy.

Torino's prized asset Nikola Maksimovic says there is 'no point' in signing for big clubs without guarantees, and discusses mentor Sinisa Mihajlovic.

Ahead of tomorrow's 19:45 GMT game between the Granata and Milan, the defender targeted by Napoli mentioned the current Rossoneri Coach as one of the major influences in his life.

“Mihajlovic was a mentor,” Maksimovic told the Gazzetta dello Sport. “He called me in the [Serbian] national team when I was 20 and he advised me to move to Italy.

“He may have recognised himself in me. He knows Ventura well and he helped me by telling him I was an important player.

“At the same time, he told me I could develop greatly under Ventura because he knows how to handle young players. Feeling Mihajlovic close to me was important.

“I'll greet him at the Milan game, but other than that I have no friends on the pitch.

“I was sorry to see him struggle with Milan, but things have improved now and he can lead the club back where they belong. He has enormous charisma, we were a bit scared with him and he allowed for no interferences. All decisions always came down to him.

“Ventura's character and his way of doing things is similar. He led the Toro back into Serie A, he won the derby and proved himself in Europe.

“He's the right Coach, regardless of criticism. And you have to be realistic: you can't keep ahead of Milan and Inter, not when the players who perform best end up going somewhere of a higher level.”

Maksimovic was asked if that statement was in reference to his own future, as he is heavily pursued by Napoli, but was also previously linked with Milan and Roma.

“I renewed my contract until 2020 here because I believe in this project. In football, maturity is between the ages of 26 and 28 and the injury to my foot stopped me for four months.

“I'm not the type of guy to change his mind only because a big club mentioned my name. There's no point in going to a big team only to watch other people play. That does nothing but ruin you.

“I want to keep developing here with the Toro. If an advantageous offer appears for me and for the club, we'll discuss it again.

“My models? Maybe [Alessandro] Nesta, but I like [Steven] Gerrard a lot, because I'd like to play in front of the defence too.

“If I'm worried about [Milan striker Carlos] Bacca? I never look at my opponent. If I'm focused and I got to work properly [in training], I know I can do well.”

Byandrea

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