Chelsea defender makes transfer feelings clear as departure to Italy nears
Chelsea defender Davide Zappacosta has revealed how he feels about his departure from the club as he nears a return back to his native Italy.
Zappacosta joined the Blues for a reported fee of £23m in 2017. He was signed by then Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and agreed a four-year deal with the club. Conte was a fan and had selected the right-sided player during his time in charge of the national side just a year before.
However, his reign in charge in west London lasted for just one more season. His departure left Zappacosta in the lurch.
In the three years since, the 29-year-old has subsequently made just 17 appearances in all competitions.
The past two seasons have seen him be sent out on-loan to Roma and Genoa. But he has only racked up 34 appearances across those spells away.
He now has a year left on his Chelsea deal and has therefore been on the transfer list.
Aside from his move to England, he has played his whole career in his homeland. And that is where he is returning for good.
He is set to undergo a medical with former club Atalanta today. Once that is done he will complete a €10m switch back to Serie A.
It is the third time in his career that he moves to the Italian side. He joined their youth setup in 2011 and then after a spell away spent the 2014/15 season with them.
Having arrived on a flight from London yesterday evening, he revealed to Gianluca Di Marzio his thoughts on the transfer.
“It’s thrilling [to be back], I am happy, I haven’t spoken with [Atalanta manager] Gian Piero Gasperini as I still need to undergo my medical examinations, so let’s wait,” Zappacosta said.
“I’ve missed Bergamo a bit, it’s a special place for me, I made my debut here, so it’s thrilling to be back. I am here to help the team and make myself available, I’ll give my best.”
Chelsea man already causing major problems
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Lukaku put in a stellar performance on his Premier League debut after his £97m transfer from Inter Milan.
The Belgium star scored a tap in after 15 minutes and only a brilliant save from Bernd Leno denied him a second as Chelsea won 2-0 at The Emirates.
Arsenal’s Pablo Mari endured a torrid time against Lukaku, with the former Manchester United man tormenting him all afternoon. Now Neville thinks he has the answer that Mari lacked…
READ MORE: Neville tells Liverpool how to handle Lukaku after Arsenal man was destroyed
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