Fikayo Tomori: ‘In Italy, the game is more like American football’

Fikayo Tomori is not normally one for a post-match snack, but on the way back from Milan’s win at Napoli this month he made an exception. “One of the players came up to me and said: ‘You should try this, it’s from Naples,’” he recalls of having a tray with two sfogliatelle – traditional crispy pastries with a sweet filling – thrust under his nose.

“After games I can’t normally eat because my body’s all over the place, but I tried it. Then it was like: ‘Ahhhh, that’s kinda nice!’”

He chuckles at the memory of a moment that has gone viral, Tomori’s suspicious first bite, furrowed brow and then furiously enthusiastic nodding further securing his place in the affections of supporters he had already won over with performances on the pitch. In 14 months, the Englishman has gone from a speculative mid-season loan signing to one of the first names on the teamsheet for a side top of Serie A.

Seamless integration on the pitch has been mirrored in his approach to life off it. Fans were surprised, after that win over Napoli, to see Tomori deliver an interview in near fluent Italian.

“I always saw myself one day living in another country,” says Tomori, “whether that was for football or just in life. I always wanted to learn a new language. At home, my parents were from Nigeria, so they spoke Yoruba to me, and obviously at school you learn languages, but I came to Italy determined to learn Italian. Even if I was only going to be here on loan six months, I wanted to at least be able to know the present tense.”

It may have been that mindset that ensured his stay would last longer, Milan making his transfer permanent for close to €28.5m. Tomori arrived last January with his career at a crossroads, a 23-year-old graduate of the Chelsea