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Nainggolan Explains Why He Turned Down Chelsea To Stay At Roma

Nainggolan Explains Why He Turned Down Chelsea To Stay At Roma

The Belgian midfielder was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, last summer

Joe Baiamonte

Joe Baiamonte

Despite being one of the most sought after midfielders in Europe for a few years, now, Radja Nainggolan has remained with Roma and has now explained why he opted to stay in the Italian capital rather than make a move away from the Giallorossi, last summer.

The 29-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea during the summer transfer window, with Blues manager Antonio Conte a long time admirer of the Belgium international. However, as we all now know, the Chelsea boss seldom gets his own way with his incoming transfers and Nainggolan ended up staying at the Stadio Olimpico.

And the Belgian has now spoken out about why he decided against pursuing a move away from Roma, in a recent interview with Belgium's Sport Voetbal Magazine.

"I could have gone to Chelsea and many other clubs, but starting something knew when you are 28, 29, in a new culture, another lifestyle, that's not for me.

"I prefer to stay where I feel good. If money were my only motivation, I would have changed clubs many times and my salary would have grown, but my first priority is to live well. You need to live well and be happy playing where you are and I have both of those things here. Everything is perfect; my family is happy in Rome.


Radja Nainggolan
Radja Nainggolan
Nainggolan has been one of Serie A's most influential players over the last four years. Images: PA
Nainggolan has been one of Serie A's most influential players over the last four years. Images: PA

"There are lots of good restaurants and it's a good place to go shopping. When friends or family come to visit, you can send them almost anywhere.

"I'm liked at the club and the supporters are behind me. I've given a lot on the field and I get a lot of respect for that. As a footballer, that's one of the best things you can get. I grew up in Antwerp, but I became a man in Italy. As things stand, I can see myself living in Rome in later life."

Nainggolan has been an ever present in the Giallorossi's starting XI ever since making his loan move from Cagliari permanent, in 2014. The tenacious midfielder has made 189 appearances for the Serie A giants, scoring 29 goals in the process. The Belgian has also been named in Serie A's team of the season three times, in 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17 and was named Roma's player of the season, last term.

Despite Nainggolan's qualities, however, the Roma man may still miss out on the upcoming World Cup in Russia, with Belgium manager Roberto Martinez claiming the midfielder doesn't fit into his current system in an interview with SportMagazine, via Football Italia in November.

"I realise that Radja is someone who is very popular. I have to make decisions based on the balance of the team though. I think I can say that in the number 10 position, Eden Hazard and Dries Mertens are the best players we have at present.

"As for Radja, he's at his best for Roma when he plays in the number 10 role, with the freedom behind [Edin] Dzeko. We don't really have a similar position, and when we tried it, it didn't really work.

"His best influence is when he can burst into the box or when he can shoot from range. We tried him at 10 against Russia, against the Czech Republic and against Greece and it was never successful. I know that Radja is a player with enormous potential, but he's not a player you can put as the 15th or 16th man, he needs to have an important role within the team.


Nainggolan
Nainggolan
Despite his qualities and his popularity, Nainggolan has been dropped from the Belgium squad by manager Roberto Martinez. Images: PA
Despite his qualities and his popularity, Nainggolan has been dropped from the Belgium squad by manager Roberto Martinez. Images: PA

"I don't think that would suit his status, there are some players who would be satisfied being a squad player and waiting for their chance. Radja is one of those players who aren't suited to a role on the bench. In every country you find players who people can't understand why they aren't included.

"Why doesn't [Cesc] Fabregas get picked for Spain, for example? The hardest thing for a Coach is finding the best balance. The first factor you need to analyse is how the player performs on the pitch, and when you see how they function on the pitch, you ask yourself how they function off it. That parameter hasn't been considered yet.

"Right now I can only judge what I see on the pitch and in terms of balance, players need to catch my attention.

"My job is to assemble the best squad possible and for that I have to receive signals from players to influence my selection."

(H/T ESPN)

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football News, Chelsea, Football, Serie A, Roma, Radja Nainggolan