Atalanta were last season's surprise package (Getty Images)
Former Chelsea midfielder Mario Pasalic was once again on the scoresheet for Atalanta yesterday.
The Croatian international’s goal saw the Italians get to within minutes of qualifying for the last four of the Champions League. Unfortunately, a stoppage-time brace by PSG ensured Atalanta’s dream run ended in heartbreak.
Pasalic’s performance, however, came for praise, especially from Chelsea fans. The 25-year-old joined the Blues in 2014 from Hajduk Split.
He failed to make a single appearance for the Blues during his six-year stay at Stamford Bridge. During this time, he enjoyed five different loan spells.
Pasalic eventually left for Atalanta this January for £13.5m. In retrospect, it represents a profit on a player who originally cost us just £3m. It also helped raise funds for what looks to be a busy summer.
The Croatian is a part of an Atalanta team that boasts of the best attack in the Italian league. The signs of his evolution were already there before Chelsea decided to part with him.
The Blues, however, had little choice in the matter given Pasalic’s troubles in obtaining a work permit. It is debatable how he would have done had he stayed on at Chelsea.
Once compared to Michael Ballack, Pasalic can be considered to be another talented player who left the Blues without making an impact at the Bridge.
The view was shared by a number of Chelsea fans on Twitter. We take a look at a few of them below.
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