Agent reveals De Laurentiis blocked defender’s transfer to Chelsea

Napoli defender Elseid Hysaj was blocked from signing for Chelsea this summer, according to the player’s agent.

The Napoli right-back has come under fire this season after a perceived lack of form, but his agent Mario Giuffredi has defended the Albania international and claimed his client almost moved to Chelsea in the summer.

Hysaj was a favourite of new Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri at Empoli before following him to Napoli in 2015 and establishing himself in Serie A.

Sarri was then axed by Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis in the summer, before he was finally  allowed to join Chelsea and replace Antonio Conte.

Midfielder Jorginho then followed him to west London and Giuffredi has said Hysaj, 24, wanted to follow him to the capital.

“Those who criticise him probably never make mistakes, but the rest of us are mere mortals,” Giuffredi said on Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.

“Without that clause he probably would have gone to Chelsea this summer.

“People forget that he was one of the best two or three full-backs in Europe last season. Then it just takes two or three matches for him to become a donkey.

“I always say to let everyone talk and then respond on the pitch.”