Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed former Blue Kevin De Bruyne can’t handle fighting for a first team place.
The Belgian international made the £18m move from Wolfsburg to Stamford Bridge prior to the 2014-15 season, but has since accused Mourinho of forcing him out of the club.
However the Chelsea boss confirmed that it was actually the midfielders choice to leave the club as he couldn’t handle not playing week-in week-out.
I wanted to keep him and he told me it was not in his personality to be competing for a position in the team. He needed a team where he knows he can play every game. He needs to know that he is important.
He did not want a team where he thinks ‘am I playing or not?’ He needs that trust, he needs that quality. He needs that security. So I was not happy when he left.
Jose Mourinho, Source: Standard
De Bruyne has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City this summer after impressing for Wolfsburg last season.
The midfielder scored 15 goals and created 25 assists in all competitions last season, leading to a number of European clubs being linked with the Belgian.
City are reportedly hoping to complete a £50m move for De Bruyne, but the midfielder would face a similar challenge to the one he faced at Chelsea, should he join the Manchester side.
After completing the signings of Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph and Patrick Roberts this summer, City now have a number of midfield options at their disposal.
As well as competing with City’s new signings, the Belgian would be fighting with the likes of Yaya Toure, David Silva and Jesus Navas; a fight similar to what he struggled to deal with at Chelsea.
I told him this is Chelsea, you are very young, you have Eden Hazard, you have Oscar, Juan Mata, you have Willian, you have Andre Schurrle, and I cannot promise you that.
He told me he was not happy. He was not training very well and I was asking for more and he was saying ‘I can’t give you more. This is just my way’.
So yes I accept that if this is his mentality and it’s his choice to go, it is better for Chelsea to make a good deal.
Jose Mourinho, Source: Standard
