Antonio Conte needs to identify a new defensive target quickly after being snubbed by Leonardo Bonucci.
The former Italy manager was hoping to reunite with the Azzurri defender, but he’s been left disappointed after Bonucci signed a new deal to stay at Juventus.
The Serie A champions revealed on Twitter that the centre-back has committed to the club until 2021, dashing any hopes the Blues had of luring him to Stamford Bridge in a £50million deal.
UFFICIALE: @bonucci_leo19 prolunga fino al 2021. https://t.co/G0MLSIvqqR #Bonucci2021 pic.twitter.com/aEEhAlOi13
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) December 19, 2016
Ho rinnovato fino al 2021! Ho scelto la casa dove sono diventato grande tra i grandi. Un solo obiettivo: continuare a vincere! #Bonucci2021 pic.twitter.com/4aj1ETZGGm
— Leonardo Bonucci (@bonucci_leo19) December 19, 2016
At the age of 29, that means Bonucci is likely to end his career in Italy, and after missing out on John Stones in the summer, Chelsea are having trouble attracting top defenders with no European football to offer.
In hindsight, they won’t be too sorry about Stones, but Bonucci would have been the ideal replacement for the ageing John Terry, albeit not a particularly long-term one.
In the meantime, Chelsea’s defensive record is looking pretty healthy. They’ve conceded just two goals in their last games, so maybe they can do without signing anyone until the end of the season.
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