Chelsea boss says Belgium couldn’t handle pressure
Jose Mourinho has revealed Kevin de Bruyne can’t cope with fighting for a place in a big squad.
The young Belgian has many admirers after a stand out season for Bundesliga club Wolfsburg. However, Manchester City are reportedly ready to do business in a deal that could cost £50m.
Since leaving Chelsea, De Bruyne has accused Mourinho of forcing him out of Stamford Bridge. However, the Chelsea coach has confirmed it was in fact the midfielder’s decision to quit because he couldn’t handle not starting every week.
Mourinho Critical of De Bruyne
He said: “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.”
De Bruyne could be facing a similar situation at the Etihad Stadium, where Manuel Pellegrini already has 10 midfielders, including summer signings Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph, at his disposal.
Competition for Places
Mourinho continued: “He didn’t tell me he couldn’t handle the pressure. He told me he didn’t like it and that he wanted to play every weekend.
“I told him this is Chelsea, you are very young, you have Eden Hazard, you have 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’.”
The special one acknowledges that the club made the right choice in letting Bruyne leave, he concluded: “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.”
Author: Luke Adam Blakemore
