Top 11 extracts from Andrea Pirlo's autobiography "I Think Therefore I Play"

One of the most iconic footballers of the modern era, Juventus' Andrea Pirlo has made numerous revelations from his illustrious career in his released autobiography I Think Before I Play. The 34-year old midfielder has talked candidly about almost everything, from his love for his PlayStation to Roy Hodgson calling him a dickhead.Here are eleven of the best extracts from the book, although we would strongly recommend you to read it yourself. Pirlo in his own words.

#1 On how close he was to join Chelsea

Andrea Pirlo was pretty close for a reunion with his Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea at the end of the 2008-09 season.

"Ancelotti was my motivation for agreeing to head to London but, in the meantime, Berlusconi had pulled out a second piece of paper," Pirlo explained.

"Listen, Andrea, you just can't do this, damn it. You're the symbol of Milan, a standard-bearer for this team, and we've already sold Kaka. You can't jump ship as well. It'd be a terrible blow, to our image as much as anything. We can't have everyone leaving." (The note Milan's ownerSilvioBerlusconi had left.)

"Ancelotti and I spoke a fair bit on the phone. He wanted to bring me to London at all costs and cost was indeed the last hurdle still to be overcome. Insurmountable, as it transpired.Milan wanted too much cash and they were also pushing for Branislav Ivanovic to be included in the deal. Chelsea hadn't the slightest intention of letting the defender go."

"'Mr President, I really like all this talk of being a standard-bearer but my contract here is about to run out and those guys are offering me four years," Pirlo toldBerlusconi.

"'Where's the problem, Andrea? You can sort all that out with [Adriano] Galliani, can't you? Take it as read,"Berlusconi replied.

Pirlo: You sure?

Berlusconi:Absolutely positive.

"No sooner were the words out of his mouth than he shot out of the room to tell the media: 'Andrea Pirlo is not for sale. He's staying with Milan and he'll finish his career right here," Pirlo wrote.