Chelsea have been branded ‘crazy’ to have sold Croatian midfielder Mario Pasalic after he almost sent Champions League underdogs Atalanta to a dream semi-final.
The 25-year-old’s beautiful curling finish into the top corner gave the Italian club a surprise lead in their quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain in Lisbon, and hope of continuing their incredible European run.
However, PSG proved just too strong as two quick-fire goals in the second-half sent the French champions through.
The game was more proof of what an impressive team this Atalanta side is, though, having finished third in the Serie A table this season – the highest in the club’s history – and made it to the Champions League last-eight in their first ever foray into the competition.
And one of their stars is Croatia international Pasalic, who only officially left Chelsea two months ago.
The young midfielder spent six years at Chelsea following his £3million arrival from Hajduk Split, but didn’t make a single appearance for the Premier League club.
He joined Atalanta initially on loan in June 2018 and showed the best form of his career – he has 20 goals and 13 assists in 87 appearances to date – which prompted the Italian side to sign him permanently.
His move was completed in June 2020, for just £13million, and there would have been plenty of Chelsea wondering ‘why?’ after watching his performance and brilliant goal against PSG.
And it appears Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand was asking the same question, saying it was ‘crazy’ Pasalic was sold without being given a chance in a Chelsea shirt.
Speaking on BT Sport, the former defender said: “Crazy, it’s crazy!
“He was a Chelsea player for SIX YEARS! They’ve just sold him for £12m!”
Chelsea could argue that Pasalic’s £12m exit helped fun their deals for Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner this summer, who arrived for a combined fee of around £81m.
But that won’t stop fans from feeling this is another potential star that has slipped through their grasp.
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