Antonio Candreva reveals his bitter departure from Lazio and shock at Roberto Mancini’s sudden Inter exit.
The Italy international made the transfer to San Siro this summer and found that trouble followed him.
“Up until last year Lazio said I was not for sale, then this summer I suddenly was for sale,” Candreva told RadioSei.
Antonio Candreva reveals his bitter departure from Lazio and shock at Roberto Mancini’s sudden Inter exit.
The Italy international made the transfer to San Siro this summer and found that trouble followed him.
“Up until last year Lazio said I was not for sale, then this summer I suddenly was for sale,” Candreva told RadioSei.
“Lazio received many proposals and evidently kept them in mind. They probably needed to raise funds. In five years I gave all of myself for that jersey and I really cared about the captain’s armband. I never disguised that.
“I thought that I deserved to wear it, even if there were many other people who were there longer than me. But then they chose Lucas Biglia… I don’t want to cause controversy, as maybe the Coach thought he was making the right choice for the group.
“Stefano Pioli never gave me an explanation, so at that point I went up to my room, thought about it and told him if I was not ready to be the captain, I couldn’t really be vice-captain.
“I will always carry Lazio in my heart. I was upset, I admit it, but it probably wasn’t a choice made by the Coach. Then when the offers arrived, they said we should talk about it. At that point I realised something was wrong.
“I just wanted to be a reference point for Lazio. I can only thank the club, because they revitalised my career and I cannot forget where I was and where I have arrived thanks to my time there.”
Candreva was wanted by the likes of Chelsea and Juventus after his Euro 2016 performances, but opted for Inter, as Mancini had urged him to join them for over a year.
However, soon after Candreva arrived, Mancini departed to make way for Frank de Boer.
“Did I think I would’ve been better off staying at Lazio? No, but I arrived after a 6-1 defeat to Tottenham, then the thing with Mancini happened…
“I think we are all strong players at Inter and it’s a good squad, even if we haven’t had much time to get to know each other. We’ll see what the future holds.”