Andrea Pirlo believes his decision to snub Chelsea proves that
AC Milan are a team with ambition and he has vowed to make critics
eat their words.
Several former players and pundits have suggested Milan needed
to shake things up and rely less on stalwarts such as Pirlo,
Clarence Seedorf and Gennaro Gattuso after a disappointing couple
of seasons.
However, the Italy midfielder does not agree.
"If I thought Milan's aim was a good place in the standings I'd
be at Chelsea now," Pirlo told Saturday's 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."
Chelsea boss Carlo
Ancelotti tried to sign Pirlo, the cornerstone of his
Milan side that won the Champions League in 2003 and 2007.
However, owner Silvio Berlusconi said this week that Chelsea's
offer had been rejected and the 30-year-old would stay at Milan for
the rest of his career.
New coach Leonardo's insistence on
keeping Pirlo, Milan's main creative force after the sale of Brazil
playmaker Kaka to Real Madrid, was fundamental, he added.
"Ancelotti didn't take it so well," Pirlo said. "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."
Pirlo was also confident his side would deal with the loss of
Kaka and retired captain Paolo Maldini.
"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."
Milan have boosted their squad by signing Netherlands striker
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who completed his move from Real Madrid on
Friday.