Antonio Conte turns down opportunity to bring World Cup star to Chelsea

According to reports, Chelsea rejected the transfer of Real Madrid star and speculated Arsenal transfer target James Rodriguez last summer.

Chelsea ended up raiding Real Madrid to sign Spain striker Alvaro Morata, but did not want the World Cup star in a proposed double swap move that would’ve seen Belgium international forward Eden Hazard and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois move to Santiago Bernabeu, as per the Daily Mail.

It makes a lot of sense that the Blues did not want to let the duo leave the club, especially as James Rodriguez has been unfit.

The Colombia international attacking midfielder never really lived up to the billing at the Spanish La Liga side, and lost his position in the team under French tactician Zinedine Zidane last term.

James Rodriguez hasn’t really performed well on loan at German Bundesliga side Bayern Munich either this term, leading to Gol Digital suggesting that the Gunners could snap him up.

The South American superstar has formerly looked like a world class player and would be exciting to see him play in England, though it looks increasingly unlikely that top sides will gamble on the attacker after his recent decline.

The Blues clearly didn’t rate James enough, though their gamble on summer signing Alvaro Morata did pay off, even though the player was also not a regular starter at Real Madrid last term.