Acerbi: It will be a privilege to play alongside Thiago Silva

Posted Thursday, July 12, 2012 by Goal.com

Francesco Acerbi has taken the time to praise his AC Milan teammate Thiago Silva, and feels honoured to be part of the same team as the Brazil international.

The 23-year-old Acerbi earned himself a move to the Serie A giants with his good performances for Chievo last term, and now wants to learn more under the guidance of the Selecao star.

"Thiago Silva is probably the best defender in the world at the moment but all the players here at Milan are excellent because you have to be excellent to play for Milan," Acerbi was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

"It will be a great privilege to play alongside Thiago Silva. Hopefully I will learn quickly from him."

The defender then went on to stress that he targets a lengthy stay at Milan as he wants to follow in the footsteps of Gennaro Gattuso.

"I would like to be here for 10 years, not just a single year, so I need to do well. Since I arrived I'm trying to learn better and faster and do what the coach and my team-mates say because I want to get into the mentality of this team quickly.

"For me now what matters is to be here and do well. I hope to stay here for as many years as Gattuso."