I was close to a move to Chelsea and Real Madrid - Andrea Pirlo

Andrea Pirlo, in an interview with Sky Sport Italia, has said that he was close to joining the London club Chelsea earlier in his career but the move was put away by Milan chief Silvio Berlusconi.

The 33-year-old Italian, who joined Juventus from AC Milan in 2011 on a free transfer once his contract had expired, also spoke of some interest from Spanish club Real Madrid.

Pirlo said: “I think that I was close to a move to Chelsea and Real. I had already agreed terms with the London club, but then Berlusconi intervened and I remained at Milan. I have no kind of regrets about leaving Milan. I needed a change and the best thing was to go and play somewhere else. It was also a good decision by the Rossoneri too seeing as they got other players in my role. I’m happy that I accepted a Juve move.”

Pirlo knows that he is coming towards the end of his career but the Italian has said that he could choose to remain in the game, thanks to boss Antonio Conte.

“He’s surprised me on a tactical level and the way he works on a daily basis, I’ve learned a lot from him. I previously didn’t want to become a Coach, but I could decide to now because of what he has taught me.”