Antonio Conte confirms Chelsea did bid for Roma’s Radja Nainggolan, but “it’s not right to speak about another team’s players”.
The Blues were heavily linked with the Belgian midfielder in the summer of 2016, but he ultimately remained with the Giallorossi.
“It’s not right to speak about players from another team,” Conte said when asked about the rumours in his Press conference today.
Antonio Conte confirms Chelsea did bid for Roma’s Radja Nainggolan, but “it’s not right to speak about another team’s players”.
The Blues were heavily linked with the Belgian midfielder in the summer of 2016, but he ultimately remained with the Giallorossi.
“It’s not right to speak about players from another team,” Conte said when asked about the rumours in his Press conference today.
“Yeah in the past we tried to buy him but now Nainggolan is Roma’s player and I have great respect for him and for Roma, and also great respect for my players.
“It’s not right to speak about another team’s players. I think he’s a great player, for me he’s one of the best midfielders, but he’s an opponent.”
The English champions are coming off two Premier League defeats in a row, and Conte was asked if it’s good to get playing again so quickly.
“It’s a good time to play again, but you know very well that the Champions League is a very tough tournament and we have to be attentive because Roma are a great team.
“They’re doing very well in the Italian League, they drew with Atletico Madrid and then they won against Qarabag.
“They’re well organised and they have a lot of good players, but I think it’s a good time to play again.
“It’s not more pressure [to play an Italian team], Roma is a great team and is an opponent like Atletico Madrid or like Qarabag in this group.
“But for sure I know that tomorrow will be very difficult, because I know Italian football well and every Italian team is well-organised, and Roma are a great team with a really good Coach [Eusebio Di Francesco].”
The former Juventus boss has been linked with the Lupi in the past…
“Obviously Roma are a great team, so I’m very proud my name was linked to them,” Conte replied.
“They chose two excellent Coaches, Spalletti first and then Di Francesco.”
Italy were drawn against Sweden in the World Cup qualification play-offs, and Giampiero Ventura’s predecessor was asked about their chances, having beaten the same opponents in Euro 2016.
“I hope it’s a good omen. It’s an in or out game, there will be great pressure but I’m sure they’ll go through.
“As an Italian, I'm sure we will go to the World Cup.”