Boga explains his reasons for rejecting Napoli's offer

“

It feels great being in second place, although last season

already deserved more than to finish eighth, but we were missing something,” Boga told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Now we must continue working with focus and enthusiasm. The coach has been telling us for some time that we are strong, he allowed us to realise just what we are capable of. He said our objective is Europe and we are with him all the way.”

De Zerbi

likewise said

Messi

is the only player greater than Boga in dribbling.

“That’s quite a compliment, eh? Having said that, Neymar, Eden Hazard and Hatem Ben Arfa are also excellent at dribbling,” replied Boga.

“It’s about instinct and since I was a kid, I’d just run at opposition defenders. Coaches told me to enjoy myself and I used to practice at home on my brother.”

Boga was nurtured at the

youth foundation and had strong transfer links to Napoli this mid year, even though he denies the move was deferred since as he contracted COVID-19 on August 20 and didn't get the negative test result until October 5. 

“I was very sad during that time, as I couldn’t do anything, even if I only really felt tired and had back pain for three days. The swabs kept coming back positive.

“The transfer was not blocked by the virus, though. I had already spoken to Sassuolo and we decided together it was best for my development if I stayed here for another year. Sassuolo is a club where you can improve so much, look at Manuel Locatelli and Domenico Berardi playing for Italy now.”

Ivory Coast international was inquired as to whether Chelsea maybe lamented releasing him so right on time into his profession.

“Who knows… I moved to London with my whole family to play for Chelsea when I was 12 years old. It wasn’t easy at the start, as I left all my friends behind in Marseille, but then I adapted.

“I chose Sassuolo because De Zerbi wanted me. Every day he’d tell me: ‘Do you realise how good you are?’ I wasn’t really convinced.”

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