Giorgio Chiellini may be one of Juventus’ greatest ever players, but his career could have taken a completely different route.
The Italy legend enjoyed an illustrious 18 years with the Bianconeri, winning 19 major trophies, including nine Serie A titles, and established himself as one of the best defenders of his generation.
But Chiellini has now revealed that he came close to quitting the Italian giants before embarking on this hugely successful spell, in favour of a move to Sunderland.
Back in 2007, the Black Cats were managed by Manchester United great Roy Keane, and the Italian admitted that he had been tempted by the prospect of working with one of his heroes.
With Chiellini appearing on The Overlap alongside Keane, as well as Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and Ian Wright, the pair revealed that financial obstacles had prevented the shock transfer.
The former United captain explained: “Yeah, there were talks, but agents [prevented the move].”
Keane explained that the two parties had held talks after a 22-year-old Chiellini featured in a pre-season fixture against Sunderland, who had just gained promotion to the Premier League.
The 53-year-old continued: “You played for Juventus against Sunderland in 2007. Just a pre-season friendly.
“And after the game, people who were working with Sunderland were saying that you could be available, you were a young player.
“I think there were definitely chats.”
Chiellini confirmed that he had been keen on the move, chiming in: “I said yes. I said yes to my agent.”
A surprised Neville then asked the 40-year-old: “To Sunderland [you said yes]?”
Roy Keane reflected on what could have been a spectacular piece of business for Sunderland[/caption]
Chiellini admitted he had given the green light for a move to Wearside[/caption]
To this, the Euro 2020 winner quickly clarified: “Not to Sunderland, to him [Keane]!”
Unfortunately for Keane and Sunderland however, the Wearsiders were unable to sanction the steep transfer fee demanded by a young Chiellini’s agent.
The Irishman revealed: “Obviously, there were issues with money and transfer. I think they were saying about £10million or £12million at the time. You were just young.”
Chiellini added that the deal could have been as much as £15m, with Carragher joking that figure was for the Italian defender’s wages, while Keane quipped that was simply his agent fee.
Keane may well question what might have been here, as the Black Cats went on to endure a difficult return to the top-flight, which saw him resign just months later with his side 18th in the Premier League, who were later relegated.
Meanwhile Chiellini will surely have no regrets over how things turned out, as he went on to win an unprecedented nine consecutive Serie A titles with Juventus between 2012 and 2020.
Chiellini left The Overlap hosts in stitches as he donned a retro Roy Keane Jersey[/caption]
Keane appeared amused by the Italian’s tribute to him[/caption]
The former centre-back also clinched five Coppas Italia, as well as reaching the Champions League final twice, in 2015 and 2017.
And despite missing out on a move to the north East, Chiellini remains just as big a fan of Keane’s, as he donned a vintage Red Devils shirt with the club legend’s name on the back later in the episode.
The former Italy and Juventus captain revealed that he had chosen the 1992 United jersey ahead of other big name options.
Chiellini explained: “I was at an event of Classic Football Shirts and they asked me: ‘Okay, pick one.’
“I looked at the first one. It was not Ronaldo, it was not Messi.
“I said: ‘Ok wow, I want Manchester United and Roy Keane’.”
A stunned Keane then replied whilst smiling: “Beautiful, it suits you. You look good in it,” before later signing the shirt for Chiellini.
