Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has dismissed rumours linking Andrea Pirlo with a sensational move to the Premier League leaders.
Pirlo, 37, visited Chelsea’s training ground on Friday to visit Conte and meet the players, which fuelled speculation the veteran midfielder could be set to join the club in the January transfer window.
Conte brought Pirlo to Juventus in 2011 and also managed the veteran pass master during his stint as head coach of the Italian national team, but has ruled out a third partnership at Chelsea.
“I’m pleased for this visit,” Metro quote Conte as saying in his pre-match press conference ahead of their clash with West Brom on Sunday. “Andrea was my player at Juventus for three years and we won together.
“I remember him as a great player. He played great football with Juventus in these three years. I’m very happy for his visit with his son. We have a good relationship. I’m pleased for this.
“He only came here to visit. He has another year in America. He’s playing and he’s enjoying his football in America. Only visited. Only to see [not to train]."
Pirlo has spent the last 16 months in America with MLS franchise New York City FC and has 12 months remaining on his existing deal with Patrick Vieira’s side.
After a disappointing first season with NYCFC in which Pirlo struggled for form and fitness, Pirlo managed to play in the majority of their matches this season as they made it all the way to the conference semi finals. Pirlo managed six assists in 33 league appearances this season, he hasn’t registered more in a single season since the 2012/13 campaign with Juventus (7).
For more stats on Andrea Pirlo, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
