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Antonio Conte brands reports of Ross Barkley’s failed Chelsea move ‘ridiculous’
ANTONIO CONTE has hit out at the coverage of Ross Barkley’s botched move to Chelsea.
Chelsea agreed to sign Barkley from Everton in a £35million deal on deadline day.
Reports claimed Barkley had attended his medical but then decided to snub a move to the Blues.
Other reports suggested the player had driven to London before changing his mind.
Barkley eventually came out and explained he did not undergo a medical at any club on deadline day.
And Conte was quick to get off the subject when asked about it in his pre-match press conference today.
“I don’t like to speak about players in other teams,” Conte said.
“It is ridiculous what I read. It is ridiculous.”
Barkley is expected to be out of action until November with a hamstring injury.
He has confirmed he will consider his future in January, with his Everton contract up next summer.
Everton official reveals why Barkley turned Chelsea down
As for Chelsea, they signed Davide Zappacosta and Danny Drinkwater on transfer deadline day, taking their total signings to six.
Asked if he had endured a frustrating window, Conte said: “I think the club tried to do their best in the market.
“Sometimes you are able to buy, sometimes you can’t. The club tried to do their best.”
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