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Pirlo: Milan blocked Chelsea move

Andrea Pirlo came close to joining Chelsea in 2009 © PA Photos

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Andrea Pirlo has revealed he came close to joining Chelsea, only to be denied a transfer by his former club AC Milan.

The Juventus midfielder, who will line up against the Blues on Tuesday in the Champions League, confirmed that he discussed personal terms with the club back in 2009 in a deal that would have seen him reunited with Carlo Ancelotti.

At the time Pirlo expressed his delight at the 'mutual' decision to stay at the San Siro, but he has now revealed that Milan blocked the move.

"Actually, Milan wouldn't let me go," Pirlo told the Daily Mail. "I have a very strong connection with Ancelotti so I was in touch with him when he went to Chelsea and I'm still in touch with him now he's at Paris Saint-Germain.

"I had already started negotiating with the people at Chelsea but then finally Milan didn't let me go. That's why I stayed. Certainly it would have been a different experience that I'd have liked, especially when I was 30 years old. So why not? But unfortunately it didn't happen."

Pirlo, 33, is in the autumn of his career, but he insists a move to the Premier League is not out of the question, and believes his playing style is well suited to English football.

He said: "Maybe, who knows? I don't know what might happen. You never know. I still have two years left with Juventus, this season and next.

"I like English football a lot. There are plenty of very good teams. They are very aggressive so it's always entertaining to watch. It wouldn't be a problem for me fitting into that particular style because I've played with different players with different characteristics throughout my career."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.