Italy and Sunderland attacking midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini has said a move to Chelsea to work under former Italy boss Antonio Conte would be a dream come true, according to his agent.
The tricky attacker found himself with a major role in Italy's run to the quarter-finals at Euro 2016 and was one of Conte's brightest performers throughout the tournament. At club level though, Giaccherini has struggled to cement his place and moved to Bologna on loan last season after finding himself on the fringes of Sunderland's squad.
His Euro 2016 performances have drawn interest from multiple clubs in Italy, according to his representative Furio Valcareggi, but if "Chelsea were to call, Chelsea would be a dream," Valcareggi told Gazzetta dello Sport.
After having struggled in the Premier League with Sunderland, scoring just four times in 32 games, a move back to England's top division with a title contender is unlikely, no matter what his relationship with the manager is. Giaccherini may be holding out for a dream switch to Chelsea but the likelihood of a deal is slim.
Back with Conte?
While there haven't been any reports of Chelsea showing major interest in Giaccherini, Fiorentina, Bologna and Torino have all expressed their interest in the 31-year old. A move to Stamford Bridge is doubtful but the desire for the Italian to reunite with Conte in London and continue working under him reveals plenty about the type of manager Conte is.
Italy's Euro 2016 dream ended in a penalty shootout at the hands of Germany and with Conte now firmly in charge at Chelsea, one can assume the links to Giaccherini get stronger as the summer progresses. With interest from the aforementioned Serie A clubs, a move back to Italy seems to be on the cards for Giaccherini rather than a reunion with Antonio Conte.