Chiellini: “I was close to join Arsenal …”

Giorgio Chiellini to ‘The Overlap’: “At 16, I was that stupid that I rejected an offer from Arsenal. I was playing in the youth sector of Livorno that was playing in Serie C. Arsenal presented a great offer: they were sure that I was going to accept. But, I didn’t want to leave the club of my city without them getting something from the transfer”.

“So I told my agent: ‘I will sign a new contract and if an agreement is found with Arsenal I will go, but not like that’. Then the club asked for a lot of money and nothing happened. If I have a son in a similar situation I would tell him to accept and leave without thinking about it. I was in Serie C, not at Juve or Milan. At the end everything went well, but it was a bad decision at that time”.

Giorgio Chiellini joined Juventus in 2005, transitioning from Pisa’s youth ranks. Initially facing skepticism, he quickly proved himself with his tenacity and skill. Over the years, he evolved into a defensive stalwart, captaining the team, winning multiple Serie A titles, and lifting the Coppa Italia. His leadership and loyalty forged a deep bond with fans, solidifying his legacy as one of the club’s greatest defenders. In 2021, Chiellini marked his departure, leaving behind an indelible mark on Juventus history.