‘I was definitely good enough’ – Simic reflects on time at Milan and explains exit | OneFootball

Jan-Carlo Simic believes that he was ready to get more playing time at AC Milan, before ultimately making the decision to move to Anderlecht.

Simic arrived at Milan in the summer of 2022 from VfB Stuttgart in Germany and was highly rated at the time he joined. Initially aggregated to the Primavera side, he often captained them and it became apparent he would make his first team debut when he was still a teenager.

Indeed, the 19-year-old made his first senior appearance in December 2023 and not only that, he scored against Monza off the bench, something he has called a dream moment since departing the club.

He made six appearances in total under Stefano Pioli but his deal was set to expire in June 2025 and he was clearly in pursuit of more regular senior minutes. Anderlecht then found an agreement with Milan over a permanent transfer, and thus his brief stint in Italy ended.

Simic spoke to gianlucadimarzio.com after the Brussels derby lost 0-1 by Anderlecht against Union Saint-Gilloise and he reflected on the time that he spent with Milan.

Did you expect things to go differently in the months that came before the move to Anderlecht last summer?

“Of course, also because Milan is a world-class club, a beautiful club. However, I am proud to have made my debut with those colours. But in the end I had to make a professional choice for my career, I want to grow. And that is only possible by playing.

“I think coming to Anderlecht was the best decision for my career. Here I have important minutes on the pitch, which is fundamental for my growth. I am really happy to be here.”

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Did you not play enough?

“Okay, it is obvious that I would have liked to play more and I think I deserved more chances and space. But then it is up to the coach to decide and perhaps I was too young and inexperienced to be a starter. But I am not pointing the finger at anyone.

“On the contrary, I am grateful for my past with Milan and the games I was able to play in that jersey. My self-esteem has grown considerably thanks to Milan and this has helped me in adapting to Anderlecht.”

Do you have anything to say to Tomori, Thiaw and Gabbia?

“It’s not up to me to say. But I was definitely good enough to play for Milan! However, I don’t decide whether I play or not and whether I stay at a club or not. It’s the club that makes certain decisions.

“I can only make the most of my qualities on the pitch to help the team and the club. This is the only thing I can influence.”

You were sold for around €3m, will your value keep going up and could you become one of the most expensive central defenders in the world one day?

“I will continue to work and give my best every day and then we will see what the future holds. I want to become the best version of myself and whatever will be, will be. I will continue to live day by day also because no one knows their own future.”

It has been a tough season for Milan…

“Milan have a really good team and I think that with the players they have they should be at least in the top four. But now they are eighth or ninth in the standings and it’s really hard to explain what happened. Especially from the outside.

“They won the Supercoppa and are in the Coppa Italia final. If they close the season with two titles it wouldn’t be all bad. But I admit that I’m incredulous and shocked by the overall performance. I’ll be rooting for them against Bologna.”

Would you like to return to Serie A one day?

“ I have to continue to grow and here I am in the right place to do it. There are always a lot of rumours in the media but I can only focus on Anderlecht and give everything for this shirt and for its fans.

“We want to end the season on a high note. I don’t know what will happen this summer but certainly my dream is to return to a top league.”