Goal.com

Despite the departures of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, the Frenchman is confident that his side will be able to challenge for in both Italy and Europe next season

EXCLUSIVE
By Alex Labidou

Mathieu Flamini believes that AC Milan will always remain a competitive team, despite a string of high-profile departures.

The Rossoneri were made to surrender their Serie A title to Juventus last season, and have since lost star players Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to Paris Saint-Germain.

However, the Frenchman believes that the club's prestigious history means that his side will be a force to be reckoned with in both Italy and Europe.

"Milan are one of the biggest teams in the world. They are a club that have won everything and they will always be a huge club," Flamini told Goal.com.

"It is going to be an important year for Milan and everyone wants to prove that we have the quality at the top level.

"I think it's very simple: If you play for Milan, you want to win everything. Juventus won the league going undefeated; we want to win it back. Everything is possible, especially when you see Chelsea winning the Champions League despite not finishing in the top three in their league.

"The coach [Massimiliano Allegri] is very confident too. Of course, we lost two huge champions. Zlatan and Thiago are key players. But I am sure we have enough quality on this team to perform and to do well.

"We have enough quality to play for every cup. Starting with Serie A and the Champions League. Milan are a big team with big players. We have enough quality to play for every cup."

While several players have left San Siro this summer, Allegri has brought in Riccardo Montolivo, while Montpellier's Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Manchester City's Edin Dzeko have been closely linked with a move to Lombardy.

And although Flamini is remaining tight-lipped about new recruits, he readily admitted that he was excited at the prospect of playing alongside the Bosnian.

"What I can say is he's a great player. From where we are, we don't have much access to other team's players. But he's a good player and if he can join our team, it will be a great addition to the quality of the team."

With Ibrahimovic departing, further responsibility will be placed on Alexandre Pato and Robinho in the coming season, and Flamini is certain that the Brazilian duo can shoulder the burden.

"Yes, they have more on their shoulders now, but I'm sure they will like it," he insisted. "Everyone is very together [at Milan]. It's important to work hard and play together."

The 28-year-old's future at San Siro looked to be in doubt for long periods of last season, but he eventually renewed his contract, and is expected to play a larger role due to the departures of veteran pair Clarence Seedorf and Gennaro Gattuso.

"For me, it was important to stay because last year I didn't have the opportunity to play because I got injured. I didn't want to leave under this condition," he explained.

"My goal is to be ready by the end of August because we start our season then. I'm just focused on my preparation."