Chelsea target Nainggolan would 'trash his room' if banned from smoking, warns Belgium coach

(JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images)
Tom Dutton25 June 2016

Belgium head coach Marc Wilmots believes Radja Nainggolan 'would trash his room' if he was forced to kick his smoking habit.

The 28-year-old is a target of incoming Chelsea coach Antonio Conte and has already been the subject of two Blues bids this summer.

Roma have rejected both, but Chelsea are set to return with an improved offer for the Belgium international, who scored in his country's group victory over Sweden earlier this week.

The midfielder scored six goals in 35 starts in Serie A last term, but Wilmots says he will not deny Nainggolan the right to smoke, instead suggesting it is the player's decision to gamble with the length of his playing career.

"Yes, Radja smokes," Wilmots told Sporza. "It's a habit and a lot of people do it in France and Italy.

"I am not going to stop him if that's what he needs. I am flexible when it comes to matters like this. It's his body.

"I'm fine with it so long as he performs out there on the pitch.

"I always make sure he gets a room with a balcony, so he does not set off the smoke alarm.

"I think he is the only one at the Belgium national team who smokes.

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"I reckon he would trash his room if we forbade him to smoke five or six cigarettes per day.

"It's his problem if this means he will have to retire at 30 rather than at 35."

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