THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MILAN, Italy — AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso is unhappy with losing his place as a regular starter with the Serie A team and said Thursday that he deserved to be playing.
"I shouldn’t have to wait until someone plays badly or gets injured before I’m used. I think I’m still worth my place," Gattuso told Sky Italia. "I’m not happy at the moment. I can never think that I’ll no longer be indispensable to this team after 11 years. I cannot come around to this idea."
The Italy international has fallen out of favour this season and found himself out of the first team after coach Leonardo changed the side’s formation.
The Brazilian coach has made captain Massimo Ambrosini and Andrea Pirlo his first-choice midfield pairing, with France midfielder Mathieu Flamini providing cover.
"I have spoken with Leonardo," Gattuso said. "Three months ago Milan was my home and it still is. You can’t get rid of 11 years.
"I always have a good rapport with my coaches because doing my part is in my character. I don’t have any problem with Leonardo, we haven’t argued. He makes his choices and I have a great deal of respect for him."
In recent weeks, Gattuso has been linked with a move to Manchester City during the January transfer window. And with the 2010 World Cup coming up, Gattuso wants regular football to ensure he stays in coach Marcello Lippi’s thoughts.
"I’m not thinking about protecting my place in the national team," Gattuso said. "But I hear from Lippi regularly and he has said that if I play, even if it is only a bit, there will be space for me in South Africa."