Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 6y

Radja Nainggolan 'never even thought' of leaving Roma to join Chelsea

ROME -- Radja Nainggolan has said he has no regrets about ignoring approaches from Chelsea because his wants to succeed with Roma.

Nainggolan has been linked with a move to Chelsea -- Roma's Champions League opponents on Tuesday -- many times.

The Belgium international appeared to be considering his future in an Instagram post in the summer, but said at a news conference on Monday that he had not contemplated leaving.

"I made my choice and I've never even thought of being somewhere else," he said. "I'm focused here, as I always have been.

"The question [of regretting not being a Chelsea player] makes no sense. Whether it's against Chelsea or any other big team, each player gets motivated for games like these."

Nainggolan is the only player that Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco has confirmed will start on Wednesday night.

With Alessandro Florenzi reverting to full-back to cover for the injured Bruno Peres -- ruled out with a thigh strain on Monday -- there has been talk that he could join Diego Perotti and Edin Dzeko in attack.

Stephan El Shaarawy and Gerson, a surprise selection at Stamford Bridge, are alternatives, but Di Francesco said nobody would know who was playing until Tuesday.

"I could even play with the same team I picked for Bologna except Radja, who will start and is the only one I'm confirming," he added.

"I will field the team I feel is most likely to get a result against Chelsea."

That means further rotation is not out of the question, and Di Francesco said: "Logically, every player wants to play every game, but playing three games over 90 minutes at a high rhythm in six days -- you need to have physical and mental energy for games like these.

"You have to be able to hit your peak each time. Radja has been one of the midfielders I have used most this year, as he has the characteristics to be able to cope with more games."

In addition to losing Bruno Peres, Di Francesco confirmed that the injured Patrik Schick would also miss out again on Tuesday.

But he said: "We're putting the issue of injuries to one side for now. We need to focus on Chelsea. I think we need to be more united than ever."

Meanwhile, Roma announced on Monday that Federico Fazio has signed a new three-year deal.

The Argentina international, who has made 59 appearances for Roma, told the club's official website: "This was an easy decision for me to make.

"Ever since I arrived here I've got on really well with all my teammates, the staff and everyone who works here at Roma. I love the city, and I'm really happy here."

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