Atalanta, Kessie on the transfer rumors: "Big European clubs follow me? Now, that doesn't interest me..."

Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Sevilla, Napoli, Milan, Inter... Everyone is crazy for Franck Kessie. Tomorrow, Atalanta-Inter will face off in Bergamo, another opportunity for Inter to watch Kessie up close:

"It will be a great game and I can't wait to play in it," - the Ivorian told Corriere dello Sport - "We need points to improve in the standings. Inter is a strong team who won the Champions League just a few years ago. For me, it will be an honor to face them. When you play against champions, you can't make any mistakes. I respect Zanetti a lot. I know he stopped playing, but when he did, I loved watching him because he was so good. Unfortunately, I can't ask for his jersey, but maybe I can ask him for a picture before the game."

Football? It's in his DNA: "The military salute is my way to remember my dad, who died when I was 11 years old. He was a soldier and an ex-footballer of the second division in Ivory Coast. He also played in midfield like me. Football is in my DNA thanks to my dad. I started to play at 10 years old, and from then on, I always thought about becoming a professional footballer. School? I didn't like it too much because I had to wake up so early. My mom had to do everything to try and wake me up. I studied until I was 17 years old, then at 18 I came to Italy. My role models? Essien and Yaya Touré."

"Here in Italy, you live better than in the Ivory Coast. In Bergamo I find myself well, Atalanta is my family and their food is fantastic. I don't know how to say no to their pasta. Is Italy racist? No. I never had any problems with this and I hope to never have them. Off the pitch, I like to listen to Latin music, but I don't like to go to clubs or stay out late at night. After training, I return home and watch movies. At Cesena last year, I'd go bowling with my teammates." On the comparison with Tourè: "It's a true honor. I played together with Touré on the national team, and I was very excited when I found myself next to him for the first time. In terms of speed of execution and ability to score, Yaya is number one.

Kessie chose the jersey of an ex-idol in Bergamo, German Denis: "I got to know him when I arrived at Atalanta's Primavera and I think he's a great player. This number stimulates me, but absolutely does not weigh on me. I did the same thing for the national team: I wear the 11 that was once worn by Drogba. I hope to be as good as them. Objectives? I want to score 8 goals, double the amount I scored last season with Cesena. Dream? To one day go to a big club and win the African Footballer of the Year award." At the end of the interview, he briefly mentioned the transfer market: "All of the big European clubs follow me? These topics don't interest me: my agent and the club are the ones who talk about the market. I'm fine at Atalanta and I'm only thinking about giving my all on the pitch."

@GIANMARCalciO