[Rossoneri7]

Hernan Crespo has become an Italian citizen and admits he hopes it’ll help earn him an immediate move back to Milan.

The Argentine, who is married to an Italian and last month welcomed his second daughter into the world, swore allegiance to the peninsula on Thursday and picked up his passport from Limido Comasco yesterday evening.


“I feel great,” he told the ‘Gazzetta dello Sport’. “I have always felt at home in Italy, as I spent 10 years here, created a family and saw my two children born. My heart is divided in half between Argentina and Italy, so I’d love to come back here and play, as I live better in this country and am in love with its football.”


His rapport with Chelsea and Coach Jose Mourinho has always been a fractious one and it is no secret he intends to return to Serie A this summer. Although Inter have also been linked, the latest reports suggest Milan are in pole position with an offer for both the Argentine and want-away Juventus striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.


“I can’t choose between them, as I have an excellent rapport with both my former clubs and the Coaches. We’ll have to see who needs me the most. It’s not an issue of money, as this is a lifestyle choice that is simply priceless. I’d never put pressure on a club to give me a secure starting spot either. All I ask for is some faith and then I’ll earn my place.”


Agent Fernando Hidalgo stated this week that Jose Mourinho had “given his word” to release Crespo from his contract.


“I trust my agent and leave him to deal with these matters. My contract expires in 2008 and on Monday I’ll attend the Stamford Bridge get-together. Then we’ll see. I’m less desperate to leave than I was a year ago, as last season I had a splendid relationship with Roman Abramovich, Peter Kenyon, Mourinho, my teammates and the fans. I scored goals and won trophies. I’m at peace with myself, because if I leave London, it won’t be as a loser.”


Milan will begin the season with an eight-point penalty due to the Calciopoli scandal, but Crespo insists this only makes him more determined to return.


“I am bitterly disappointed by the scandal,” continued the former Lazio and Parma star. “I don’t believe the entire sport is rotten to the core and am sorry to see so many champions go. Serie A has given me a great deal and I’d love to repay it in some way with my small contribution. Italian football’s true worth was shown in Germany. I was happy for my Azzurri friends, as 10 of the 23 players had been my teammates. I understood why I really do feel Italian.”

Source

[misha]

The agent of Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo admits a move to AC Milan is on for the Argentine.

Crespo was linked with a move to Inter Milan earlier this week - another of his former clubs.

And it had been thought that AC were out of the running as they pursued Juventus star Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

But Crespo's agent Fernando Hidalgo says Milan want to sign both Crespo and Ibrahimovic as they look to replace the departed Andriy Shevchenko.

He confirmed to Gazzetta Dello Sport: "Crespo will not remain at Chelsea, he has Jose Mourinho's word."

Crespo himself meanwhile said: "My heart is divided between Argentina and Italy. And now it would appeal to me to return.

"I trust Hidalgo and will leave him to take care of things."
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