Football
Liam Twomey, Chelsea correspondent 6y

Chelsea target Edin Dzeko affected by transfer talk: Roma coach Di Francesco

Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco admits Edin Dzeko has been affected by reports Chelsea want to sign the striker in the transfer window.

Dzeko's agent Irfan Redzepagic is reportedly in London to hold talks with the Premier League champions, who are closing in on a deal to sign his Roma teammate Emerson Palmieri and have granted Kenedy permission to join Newcastle on loan in anticipation of the left-back's arrival.

Di Francesco says he will have to check on Dzeko's mental state before Roma's league match against Sampdoria on Wednesday, though he warned that it would be a "huge mistake" for anyone in the Roma hierarchy to try and influence his decision.

"There are so many rumours getting to him," Di Francesco told a news conference. "Whether or not they are true is not my concern. He's a Roma player and it's fair that he plays. Any other aspect will be evaluated later.

"As of today, Dzeko should play from the first minute. I haven't spoken to him yet as I didn't want to stress him. For the time being, I am counting on him. Then we'll decide together.

"We do have [Patrik] Schick and [Gregoire] Defrel who can be centre-forwards, but right now I need to think my starting striker is going to be Dzeko. He belongs to Roma, and therefore I think of him as being in my starting XI."

Roma sporting director Monchi insisted earlier this week that Dzeko will be replaced if he leaves in January, and Di Francesco agreed they will need to enter the transfer market -- though he warned his superiors against attempting to pull Dzeko out of the Sampdoria game to facilitate a deal.

"Should he leave, we would be looking for either a winger or another striker," the Roma coach added. "But I've always picked my 11 players autonomously -- I will be the one deciding whether he plays or not. If a player is not available obviously I cannot field him, but if he is available, I will make the decision. No one will ask me not to field him -- that would be a huge mistake."

Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Chelsea boss Antonio Conte had called Dzeko in an attempt to convince him to move to Stamford Bridge this month, but the Italian would not be drawn into commenting on the matter in a news conference on Tuesday.

"I don't know," Conte said. "As you know very well about the transfer market, if there is news, the club will inform you."

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