AS Roma striker Edin Dzeko has today opened up on Chelsea’s pursuit of his signature last month, revealing that the saga had a profound effect on his performances on the pitch.
Striker search
Premier League champions Chelsea were linked with moves for a whole raft of centre-forwards following the opening of the winter transfer market at the beginning of January, following a dismal spell of form from first-choice hitman Alvaro Morata.
The likes of Ashley Barnes and Peter Crouch were named as shock potential arrivals at Stamford Bridge, with supporters of the Blues having been up in arms regarding the general calibre of striker linked with the club.
Double bid
However, the disappointment on the part of the Blues’ faithful was eased in a major way towards the end of the month, when stories emerged that Chelsea had opened talks with Italian outfit AS Roma regarding a double swoop for Emerson Palmieri and Edin Dzeko.
The London giants were hopeful of sealing a deal for around 50 million Euro plus bonuses for the pair, but, in the end, after weeks of speculation, it was just Emerson who made the move to Stamford Bridge, with the capital outfit unable to find an agreement with Dzeko.
‘In the past’
Speaking in an interview with the AS Roma Match Program earlier today, Dzeko was questioned on Chelsea’s pursuit of his signature, with the Bosnian admitting that the whole saga was ‘not easy’ to deal with:
‘It was not easy for me. A very complicated 10 days and you could tell from my performances on the pitch too.’
‘I don’t want to think about it anymore. It’s in the past now, I want to look ahead and give everything for Roma. As I said at the end of January, Roma is my home and Roma are my family. That says it all.’
‘I’ve scored fewer goals than last season, but the team is what matters the most. If I score a goal and we lose, such as against Atalanta, it means nothing. When we win, then I am happy, although obviously I also love to score goals.’
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