Nicolo Barella has said that he opted against joining Chelsea in the January transfer window.
Before the Blues were hit with a transfer ban, they were quite busy at the beginning of the year.
Christian Pulisic was signed for £57m before being loaned back to Borussia Dortmund for the second half of last season, while Cesc Fabregas was sold to Monaco after finding first-team chances limited under then-head coach Maurizio Sarri.
In terms of incomings, Gonzalo Higuain joined on loan from Juventus.
But there was one that got away from the west London outfit.
Barella, who was linked with a £45m move to Stamford Bridge at the beginning of the year as a replacement for Cesc Fabregas , commented on why a transfer did not happen.
"Chelsea had been looking to sign me in January, the negotiations were concrete," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"At Cagliari I said: 'it is not an easy time for the team, I will stay until the end of the season.
"Then I will make a decision'."
The Italy did make a decision on his future in the summer as he joined Inter Milan who are now managed by ex-Blues head coach Antonio Conte.
And Barella has revealed the positive impact Conte has had on the squad.
"He [Conte] has a different attitude, a way of talking to you that gives you something new," he added. "I’d die for him, that applies to all his players. And that makes the difference.
"Do you see how Conte's teams run? It's not only because they are well prepared. It is the outcome of what he puts in your head.
"Years ago I wrote all my goals down. The first was to get to Serie A with Cagliari: I succeeded. Then there was also the one to wear the Inter shirt: done."
Barella has enjoyed a solid start to life at the San Siro, while Jorginho - the player he would have provided competition to had he joined the Blues - has won over some supporters and was named vice-captain by Frank Lampard on Friday.
