Proper Chels: Ciro Immobile laughs at rumours linking him to Chelsea
By George Perry
October 27 will go down as a day when rumour-mongering English tabloids became the legal property of Italian footballers. First Antonio Conte properly called out the latest gossip swirl for what it is, and then Lazio’s Ciro Immobile laughed at rumours linking him to Chelsea.
If we were the more optimistic type, we would think yesterday was a turning point for tabloids trading in football rumours. If not a turning point, a moment to pause, reflect and make a conscious decision moving forward. And even if not that, at least a fleeting moment of embarrassment – perhaps shame – to wipe the egg off their face.
But we’re not that optimistic. Hours after Antonio Conte thrice told Chelsea’s press corps that they are peddlers of “bullshit,” Ciro Immobile helped himself to a laugh at the same people’s expense.
Immobile, like Conte, was reacting to a rumour from The Sun that did the rounds in the football media. Supposedly Chelsea were targeting a January move for the Lazio striker. But securing him would involve out-bidding Shanghai SIPG, who are lining up a £62 million offer. Or so the story goes.
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Immobile’s agent described their reaction to this rumour, coming days after Immobile signed a five-year extension.
"We had a good laugh together over that, including the Chelsea rumour. I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank the club for that renewal. Many great players have passed through and this deal proves the reciprocal bond between Immobile and Lazio. – Football Italia"
Ciro Immobile already has 17 goals in 14 games across all competitions this season. Of Lazio’s 26 goals in Serie A, he has scored 13 and assisted on three. Lazio are in third place in Serie A, have nine points in the Europa League and have already defeated Juventus in the league and cup.
They are not shopping Immobile and if they were they would demand well more than £62 million. Losing Lazio would be tantamount to giving up their ambition and potential for the season.
The Ciro Immobile rumour appeared from thin air, and Immobile gave it exactly the treatment it deserved. He laughed. His agent laughed. And then the agent heaped on some public scorn for good measure. This is how players and managers should treat all such rumours: either with Immobile’s derisive mirth or Antonio Conte’s appropriate use of profanity.
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Again, if we were optimistic, we would think these incidents would have an impact. But we’re not, and they won’t. Stands to reason that if you read those rumour factories and take them seriously, you deserve your share of whatever mockery Antonio Conte, Ciro Immobile or the guy at the pub want to send your way.