Daniele Rugani reveals Chelsea interest and why he remained with Juventus

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani has revealed that there was interest from Chelsea in signing him during the 2018 summer transfer window. The Italy international had been touted for a reunion with Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge last year but the same did not happen after he decided to fight for his future with the Bianconeri.

Rugani has since made only 20 appearances for the Serie A holders but he is nonetheless pleased with the decision to stay put, given he has finally got the chance to be working again with Sarri, he told Corriere dello Sport: “In retrospect I say that I am happy to have stayed last summer. Chelsea tried to sign me, but with Juventus we agreed that it was not right to separate our paths. The executives have trusted me and, even if at the beginning of the season there was a big crowd in defence, I found my space.”

Juventus manager Max Allegri has said that Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be put at blame for the club’s exit from the Champions League. The Bianconeri were regarded as one of the favourites to make the semi-finals of the competition but they bowed out at the last eight following a 3-2 aggregate defeat at the hands of Ajax.

Speaking after the game, Allegri said that Ronaldo gave his best for the team and he could not have done much to influence the eventual outcome, he said: “No, absolutely not. Ronaldo has given us a lot over the course of the campaign, but when you reach the quarter-final, you need every player. I’ve always said that to win the Champions League, you need to reach a certain stage in good form and with good fitness levels.”