'Strange summer' for Pirlo

19 August 2009 11:50
AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo admits the events of the summer have left him dazed and confused. The Italy international is preparing for the start of the Serie A season this weekend, but could have been reflecting on a successful opening to the 2009/10 Premier League campaign were reports of an proposed move to Chelsea to be believed. The talented playmaker was strongly linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge throughout the early stages of the transfer window, with former Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti said to be keen on a reunion in West London. Milan, though, made it clear that they had no intention of doing business and Pirlo remains at Giuseppe Meazza, for now at least. "It was a strange summer, with all the rumours that had me almost officially at Chelsea," said Pirlo. "But then, at the end with the club we decided by mutual agreement to continue here at Milan. "It all started at the end of the season, almost as a joke. "He (Ancelotti) told me to follow him to Chelsea, it was more or less like this for the whole summer. "Then, instead, the president (Silvio Berlusconi) came and told me I wouldn't go anywhere. "I don't know if I would have gone. There were a lot of things to consider, above all Milan. But at the end, the aim was to continue here. "If the club wanted to send me away, it would have been one thing, but I understood that their wishes and mine were to stay. So, it's better like this." Pirlo has seen Brazilian superstar Kaka head for the Milan exits this summer, but he insists he never harboured any ambition of following his former team-mate. "There were a lot of departures, several rumours too, also contrasting ones on the future of the team, of the club, even my future," he added. "But at the end I understood the club didn't intend to let me go. "So, it was a nice thing for me."

Source: SKY_Sports