TWO LATE SIGNINGS

Chelsea land Drinkwater, Zappacosta just before transfer deadline

LONDON with N’Golo Kante, with whom he formed the all-action central midfield partnership that helped Leicester to their fairytale Premier League triumph last year.

Zappacosta, 25, has signed a four-year deal and is believed to have set Chelsea back around £23 million.

He has been capped four times by Italy and played under Conte during his time as national coach.

“Davide is a player of international calibre who Antonio Conte knows well and we have been aware of this for some time,” said Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo.

“We are very pleased to be able to bring him to the club and believe he will become an important member of the squad.”

Tempering Chelsea’s satisfaction at the moves for Drinkwater and Zappacosta was the knowledge that several targets eluded them on deadline day.

England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain rejected their approach in favour of joining Liverpool from Arsenal and Spanish striker Fernando Llorente elected to move to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur from Swansea City.

In a further twist, 23-year-old England midfielder Ross Barkley changed his mind after undergoing a medical at Chelsea and decided to stay at Everton.

“The two clubs agreed a deal of £35 million and I think personal terms were agreed,” Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri told Sky Sports News.

“After the medical we heard from Paul Martin, Ross Barkley’s agent, that he had changed his mind and wanted to reconsider his position in the January window.”

Chelsea had previously completed moves for goalkeeper Willy Caballero, defender Antonio Rudiger, midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko and Spain striker Alvaro Morata, who joined from Real Madrid in a club-record £58 million deal. AFP