Chelsea were on the verge of signing Italy and Juventus legend Andrea Pirlo during Carlo Ancelotti’s managerial stint at Stamford Bridge.
The 36-year-old has revealed that Ancelotti was a father figure in his career, and he was interested in making the move to west London; however, a fee couldn’t be agreed upon and the opportunity was missed.
The New York City FC midfielder revealed the Blues’ pursuit in an interview with ShortList:
Who would you have wanted to play for most in the Premier League? Is it true you nearly moved to Chelsea?
‘Occasionally you meet somebody in life who is not your father, but you look at them as a father, and Carlo [Ancelotti] was that man for me.
‘When he was at Chelsea we had many calls about me joining him. I was interested, and there were discussions in the club.
‘The fee was the ultimate issue, though – Milan wanted a Chelsea player in exchange and no agreement could be reached.’
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Pirlo left Juventus this sealed and linked up with Chelsea legend Frank Lampard at the Yankee Stadium this summer, as Major League Soccer continues to lure the finest of names in football to the States.
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