Speculation that the midfielder would move to Chelsea because of the arrival of Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge next season have been put to rest by the player.
Arturo Vidal has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea just a season after joining Bayern Munich from Juventus. His chemistry with Antonio Conte has been highlighted by the media and the two have also made very positive comments about each other, and it has been widely speculated that the pair could be reunited at Stamford Bridge next season.
However, Vidal has now expressed his desire to stay at Bayern Munich until he retires.
“Thanks to all the effort I have put in over time I’m now at the best team in the world,” the Chilean said, according to ESPN.
“I hope to remain here until I retire.”
“Now I know my teammates. We are more than a group, we are like a family, and this gives me a lot of confidence,” he added.
“At first it was difficult because I came from a different style of football, I had to get used to things, I had to adapt to a new team, new players. But I knew that at some point I would feel comfortable and be able to show everyone who I am as a player, like I showed everyone at Juventus. That moment has come.”
Conte will have to look elsewhere for a midfield enforcer
Arturo Vidal is arguably one of the best midfielders in the world right now and would have been a good addition to Antonio Conte’s Chelsea team. But this latest statement by the Chilean will put a damper on Conte’s plans.
The chances of Vidal joining Chelsea after just one season at Bayern Munich already seemed far-fetched, but it looks like the player himself is satisfied and isn’t looking for a move away.
Conte will now have to look elsewhere for a midfield enforcer, with AS Roma’s Radja Nainggolan rumored to be another transfer target. Nainggolan can play a similar role in the heart of midfield as Vidal, and would be an excellent player in a box-to-box role.