Niaggolan Not leaving ‘Perfect’ Life In Rome

Roma star Radja Nainggolan admits he could haveleft for chelsea but is not ready to leave his perfect life in Rome

Radja Nainggolan has made it open he declined a move to Chelsea because he is happy with his ‘perfect’ life in Italy and is not tempted by the money.

The Belgian international was always in the transfers for the Blues when Antonio Conte took charge in 2016 but has stayed put at Roma.

With a contract tieing him down to the Serie A club until 2021, he admits he could not be prised away from Italy due to his happy family life.

‘I could have gone to Chelsea and many other clubs, but starting something knew when you are 28, 29, in a new culture, another lifestyle, that’s not for me,’ he told Belgium’s Sport Voetbal Magazine.

‘I prefer to stay where I feel good. If money were my only motivation, I would have changed clubs many times and my salary would have grown, but my first priority is to live well.’

The 29-year-old has been courted by some of the biggest clubs across Europe in recent years, but has stayed loyal to Roma.

After moving to the Italian capital in 2013 the Belgian midfielder believes he has ‘become a man’ in his five years there.

‘You need to live well and be happy playing where you are and I have both of those things here. Everything is perfect; my family is happy in Rome.

‘I’m liked at the club and the supporters are behind me. I’ve given a lot on the field and I get a lot of respect for that.

‘As a footballer, that’s one of the best things you can get. I grew up in Antwerp, but I became a man in Italy. As things stand, I can see myself living in Rome in later life.’

Nainggolan has scored 29 goals in 189 appearances during five seasons at the Serie A club.