Chelsea spent most of the past month looking for a new backup striker to replace or perhaps even upgrade Michy Batshuayi for at least the rest of this season, and while some of the candidates linked were incredibly uninspiring, to say the least, one proper name eventually rose to the top: former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, who was nominated for the Ballon d’Or after a career year for AS Roma.
With 39 goals to his name in all competitions last season, there were thus no questions about Dzeko’s usefulness as a striker. However, his age (31 going on 32) and the financial commitment that he would’ve required of Chelsea left nothing but questions. Eventually, it was the financial angle that persuaded Chelsea to look elsewhere in the final week and secure Olivier Giroud’s signature instead.
Following that dalliance with leaving, Dzeko has now reaffirmed his commitment to Roma, a city and club that he’s loved all along of course (i.e. Chelsea wouldn’t meet his wage and contract length demands).
“It is true that negotiations have been conducted and that is all I can say about this topic. There was a lot of speculation, falsehoods and even a few ridiculous stories, and I’m really flattered by Chelsea’s interest, a club that I respect and admire very much. So many stories have been told about my departure from Rome over the past few weeks, but I am still here. After all, I am happy to stay because Rome has become my home and an indelible part of my life.
”From the very first day I was accepted in Rome in an unreal way and I can never and will not forget it, and I have had some of the happiest moments in my life in this city. For the first time I felt the joy of fatherhood here when my daughter Una was born, and my son Dani was born in Rome. This city is now part of my life and it will always be.”
And they all lived happily ever after.