Inter Milan star rejects Chelsea speculation

Mauro Icardi is a name that's tenuously made the rounds in the Chelsea transfer rumor mill a few times before, especially last summer, when he was supposedly looking for Champions League football.  He ended up sticking with Inter, a decision that seems to have worked out well enough.  Inter are set to return to Europe (Europa Leauge is almost guaranteed while the Champions League is still within touching distance) while Icardi, as captain, is enjoying another good season as the best forward in Italy not named Higuaín.

Unsurprisingly, the 23-year-old has zero desire to move this year when compared to last, so while his name might come up in random transfer rumor round-ups or speculative stories about wishlists and the like, I think we can safely ignore this possibility.

"It's the same story every year. Every year I read that I am leaving Inter. But I am happy here. I enjoy being Inter captain, being the club's striker and to score goals here. Of course, I want to win trophies, but I want to do it here at Inter, like so many did before me. Next year we will be gunning for the Serie A title and to qualify for the Champions League."

-Mauro Icardi; source: Corriere della Sera via Evening Standard

Fortunately there are many, many more Serie A players to whom we'll have the distinct pleasure of being linked thanks to Antonio Conte's Italian connections.  Silly Season has just begun.