Chelsea have been dealt a blow in their attempt to sign Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar.
What’s the Word?
That is according to Pravda (via Football Italia), where the 27-year-old has given an interview saying that he wants to stay at the Nerazzurri.
The Slovakia international, who had been linked to Premier League clubs Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, has only 12 months left on his contract.
Despite this, he said that he would like to emulate his former international teammate Marek Hamsik, who was at Napoli for 12 years.
“I’d love to do something similar to what Marek Hamsik did at Napoli,” he told Pravda in Slovakia.
“My future is at Inter, I have a contract and nothing has changed. There are transfer rumours every six months, but there’s nothing specific. I am very satisfied at Inter.”
Avoid Repeat of Lukaku Situation
The former Sampdoria centre back has been an integral part of the Inter backline, starting 35 of the 38 league games and all of their Champions League matches.
In Serie A, the £58.5m-rated colossus leads the way in clearances and blocks per game, as well having the highest pass accuracy, out of anyone in his side who has made more than ten appearances, as per WhoScored.
His defensives performances have led to Italian football journalist David Amoyal calling him an “absolute beast” who would be “quite the addition for any team”, and Spurs legend Graham Roberts regretting that his side didn’t go for the £90k-per-week star after his performances at last summer’s Euros.
“I saw Skriniar, he was brilliant on TV, absolutely brilliant but we never went and got him, now he’ll be worth a lot more.
“Lewandowski didn’t get a kick so there’s your answer.”
However, the issue here is not about his quality, which is undeniable. The problem is that his heart is set on his current club.
The Blues had a similar issue with Romelu Lukaku, who they signed for £97.5m last year. The Belgium international had an underwhelming year, which wasn’t helped by his interview claiming that he wanted to return to Simone Inzaghi’s side.
“I always said that I love Inter and I’ll play for them again. I really hope so. I fell in love with Italy.
“I hope from the bottom of my heart to go back to Inter and not at the end of my career but when I’m still at a good enough level to win more trophies.”
This is similar to what Skriniar has said above, and considering the tension Lukaku caused at Stamford Bridge as a result of that interview, Thomas Tuchel cannot afford to spend big money again on a player that he is unsure is going to give 100% to his side.
AND in other news, Bye-bye Lukaku: Chelsea “could move” for £27m-rated dynamo who’s “better than Neymar”…
