Antonio Conte replies when asked if Chelsea wanted to sign Ross Barkley
Antonio Conte refuses to be drawn on the speculation linking Chelsea with a late move to sign Ross Barkley
Antonio Conte refused to be drawn into discussing Ross Barkley and the speculation linking the midfielder with Chelsea after the transfer window closed last week.
The England midfielder was reported to be one of Chelsea’s prime targets during the final few days of the summer transfer window.
There were widespread reports claiming that Barkley was close to a transfer to Chelsea before the player allegedly changed his mind and opted to stay at Everton.
However, Conte refused to be drawn into discussing the situation when quizzed about Barkley at his weekly news briefing on Friday.
Asked about the situation concerning Barkley, Conte told his pre-match news conference on Friday afternoon: “I don’t like to speak about players in other teams because I think there is a lack of respect.
“It is ridiculous what I read. It is ridiculous.”
Conte is currently preparing his Chelsea side for their crunch Premier League clash against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
The Blues are aiming to make it three wins in a row in the Premier League after victories against Tottenham and Everton in their most recent games.
