The Daily Star added a surprise name to the list of players Antonio Conte would possibly want to be available at his disposal next season at Chelsea FC. Former captain of Inter Milan Andrea Ranocchia, who is currently on loan at Sampdoria, is reportedly one of the targets along with AS Roma’s box to box midfielder Radja Nainggolan.
Both players have previously been targeted by Conte during his stay at Juventus. Nainggolan is arguably one of the best midfielders in Serie A alongside his teammate Pjanic and Juventus’s Paul Pogba. Blessed with the right set of skills, both in front of the defence and in a supporting attacking role, the ex-Cagliari man is a perfect example of the modern day complete midfielder. The capital club will be all set to make Chelsea management bleed money should they decide to go after the high flying Belgian superstar.
Ranocchia however should be an easier deal to strike, one which perhaps the club would only make if they fail to acquire his ex Bari teammate and centre half pair Leonardo Bonucci who is currently plying his trade for Juventus.
Conte looking to sign Andrea Ranocchia should bid for Leonardo Bonucci be rejected
Before joining Inter Milan from Genoa in 2010, Ranocchia was courted by Conte who managed to acquire his partner Bonucci. Ranocchia however thwarted Juventus’ advances and chose Inter Milan instead only to be spectacularly deemed surplus to requirements at San Siro only five years down the line.
Conte looking to sign Andrea Ranocchia should bid for Leonardo Bonucci be rejected
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Ranocchia showed more potential and was more sought after in the peninsula than his partner Bonucci during their time at Bari. However, two drastically different career trajectories from there onwards have led one to become one of the biggest defenders in the world and the other a mediocre underachiever.
