At AC Milan’s Milanello training base, images of club legends adorn the walls. After all, it was Paolo Maldini who called Tomori on Zoom before joining and was instrumental in getting him to move.
“It’s crazy. You walk in every day and see photos of players like Maldini, (Franco) Baresi, Kaká, Zlatan (Ibrahimovic) and (Alessandro) Nesta,” says Tomori.
“So you definitely feel the anticipation knowing that those players were in the same building.
“And it comes from the fans you know in the city. You realize how much weight the jersey has.
“I love that they are so proud of the club and that there are expectations for us to deliver and do what the previous ones did.”
Tomori has fond memories of the summer after winning Serie A in 2022 and of course there is one eye on the summer ahead. Winning the Scudetto would surely increase his chances of going to the World Cup with England.
“Of course I want it for myself and I know that winning the league will help me,” he says.
Tomori was born in Canada and played for the under-19 team, and recently revealed that he was never asked to consider Nigeria, where his parents are from.
He made his debut for England in 2019 and earned five caps under Gareth Southgate but, although it has been two and a half years since his last international call-up, current England manager Thomas Tuchel remains in touch.
When Tomori left Chelsea for Milan on loan initially in 2021, Tuchel became Chelsea boss four days later.
“I spoke to him after the last international break in November. We have spoken several times and the message is to continue doing what I am doing,” says Tomori.
“There are six months left until the World Cup and there is a lot of football to play.
“I know he’s watching and watching because he called (teammate) Ruben Loftus-Cheek. That gives me confidence that I can do it.
“He came to Milan last season and I know he receives our data and also watches our clips regularly.
“The way he’s talked about this is that it’s difficult because there are a lot of players in that position, and I understand it because you have players like John Stones, Marc Guehi, Dan Burn and Ezri Konsa.
“But the World Cup is still a dream and I am working towards it.”
If you achieve that dream, chances are your neighbor will be waiting for you in Dallas when England takes on Croatia in their World Cup opener.
Luka Modric, who joined AC Milan this summer, lives in the same apartment complex as Tomori.
“I guess it’s not such a bad building then,” Tomori jokes.
Do you ever pick the brain of the former Ballon d’Or winner?
“Yes, but it’s more about listening when he speaks and seeing how he behaves and trains. You just know the levels and, because it’s Modric, every time he speaks, you just listen.”
All that listening will no doubt come in handy for both Tomori and England if they manage to qualify for the World Cup.
