By ESPN staff
AC Milan forward M’Baye Niang says he has plans to become better than former France striker Thierry Henry.
Niang, 18, has made an impression since arriving at the San Siro last summer from French outfit Caen.
The France Under-21 international’s ability to either play out wide or down the middle has led to comparisons with the Arsenal legend.
But while Niang admits he would like to be considered superior to Henry one day, the youngster believes he still has a lot of hard work to do first.
“No, I am a long way off him yet,” he told Milan’s official website. “He achieved so much and I have to work hard, but my objective is to become better than Henry.”
Although taking a few months to break into Massimiliano Allegri’s plans upon arrival, Niang has since forced his way into the first team in 2013.
His performances have led to speculation that he could be set for a big-money move elsewhere, but the former Caen man insists he is happy where he is.
“There is only Milan for me,” he said. “Yes, I was born in Paris and I like Paris Saint-Germain, but I want to win everything here, starting with the Champions League.
“At the start I struggled because Italian football is very tactical and physical, but everything is fine now. Milan are a great club and I love many things about them. Everyone here helps you out. I need to learn a lot from the coach and his staff.
“When I played for Caen, my objective was to join a big club. Today I am at Milan and hope to stay as long as possible.”
Niang featured in Milan’s Champions League exit to Barcelona at the Nou Camp earlier this month and had a golden chance to score a vital away goal that could have swung the tie in his side’s favour.
The youngster, though, insists he has put the miss behind him and is determined to learn from it going forward.
“I was unlucky in Barcelona, but I am still young and can make up for it in another game at that level,” he said. “The Barcelona game is in the past and I don’t think about it anymore.
“As for in Serie A, I really don’t want to lose against Inter, even if truth be told I want to win against everyone we face.”
