'There were problems' - Antonio Conte attempted to block Chelsea from selling Juan Cuadrado due to coach's fiery exit from Italian side, Colombian star reveals

Cuadrado has revealed that his permanent transfer from Chelsea to Juventus in 2017 was almost scuppered by then-Blues manager Conte due to the Italian's acrimonious relationship with his former club. In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, the Colombian detailed the tense negotiations that secured his move to Turin.

Cuadrado joined Chelsea in 2015 but failed to establish himself before moving to Juventus on an initial loan. The move was made permanent during Conte's tenure at Stamford Bridge, a period in which the Italian manager still held a strained relationship with the Juventus hierarchy following his own departure in 2014. Cuadrado went on to spend eight successful seasons in Turin, winning five Serie A titles and becoming a fan favourite.

The former Bianconeri player also recounts the negotiations that led him to Juventus and his relationship with Conte, he said: "Conte didn't leave Juventus on the best of terms, so there were some problems; he didn't want to let me go. Other teams were also interested in me, especially abroad, but when I heard about Juve, I told my agent that I only wanted to play for the Bianconeri.

"I became a Juventus fan. My mother still lives there, my children were born in Turin. Lucas is six, Lucia is nine. I experienced eight magical seasons, winning five league titles and several cups. Compared to Cuadrado in Florence, I was more complete and, above all, more mature. My only regret is losing the Champions League final in Cardiff."

The 37-year-old ended up leaving Juve in 2023 and signed a one-year deal with Inter, but the decision to leave Turin was not his.

"De Sciglio's injury had increased my chances, [coach Massimiliano] Allegri wanted to keep me," he added. "For my part, there was no doubt: I would have stayed. Then the management changed, the coach left and I was left waiting. While I was waiting for a call, I read on social media that my adventure with Juve was over. I would have preferred a word or a private message. I was upset, it was very sad. But that's football. The fans are and always will be in my heart."

Now playing in Serie B with Pisa after a season at Atalanta, Cuadrado will be an interested spectator as two of his former clubs, Juventus and Inter, face off in the Derby d'Italia. Conte remains one of the most high-profile managers in the world, recently leading Napoli to the Serie A title last season. 

Additional reporting by Andrea Ajello.