Chelsea transfer rumours: Radja Nainggolan contact, still no Nainggolan

Chelsea’s reported chasing of AS Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has moved from rumor to fact through the player’s own words. Now, we wait.

If you hop on over to HLN journalist Kristof Terreur’s Twitter account there are words inside of quotation marks that belong to one Radja Nainggolan.

In additional tweets there are more words between quotes from the Belgian. In them Nainggolan suggests he’s been the apple of Antonio Conte‘s eye before, says he’s been happy in Italy for 11 years, admits it will be hard to leave, is aware that Chelsea want to strengthen the squad and that we still are a big club. Yup that about sets the table then, thanks Naingy.

Back to the initial quote: the key, of course, is that there is contact but no contract, and until then Radja no chit chat. Perhaps with a nod to how last summer’s John Stones situation ended up, the beloved Belgian isn’t going to risk letting his desires be known just to be booed by his home fans should Chelsea mess the whole thing up.

The biggest difference being that at the time we were attempting to lure Stones we were league champions. Having just finished 10th, one has to assume there’d be a bit more fire. But despite the early rumor having now been confirmed a badly kept secret, Chelsea are already behind.

Arsenal went and nabbed Granit Xhaka and Manchester City already poached Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund. Manchester United look to be next with Zlatan Ibrahimovic reportedly close to a deal.

Chelsea have been left with a multitude of rumours linking them with any Serie A player, but nothing to show for it.

Next: Chelsea FC Tactics and Transfers: Part 1

Everyone whose paychecks sport Roman Abramovich’s signature has promised next year will be different. Chelsea fans and supporters would believe them (and feel a lot better about the supposed reformed intentions of the club) if they swiftly turned this contact into a contract.