Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 9y

Kevin De Bruyne: Jose Mourinho never explained lack of chances

Former Chelsea midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has told Sport Bild that Jose Mourinho never offered any explanation for his lack of playing time and said: "Maybe it would have all gone differently if Chelsea had paid 45 million euros for me instead of eight million euros."

De Bruyne left Chelsea for Wolfsburg in January 2014 and has gone on to establish himself as a leading star in the Bundesliga, scoring eight goals and providing 12 assists this season.

The Belgium international joined Chelsea from Genk in 2012 but, despite impressing during a loan spell with Werder Bremen in the 2012-13, he was given little opportunity to impress when returning to Stamford Bridge and was offloaded six months later.

Mourinho had suggested during De Bruyne's time at the club that he was unimpressed with his application in training, but the 23-year-old -- who has been linked with clubs including Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain in recent months -- denied that was the case.

"I trained well," De Bruyne told Sport Bild. "Jose Mourinho never explained why I was rarely allowed to play. Maybe it would have all gone differently if Chelsea had paid 45 million euros for me instead of eight million euros to Genk back in 2012. I would have had a different standing, and got more chances."

He added: "In the end, I have to say that, at that time, Chelsea were not good for me. The club is a different world. I was only 22 years old. But I am not mad at anyone."

De Bruyne, who had made similar remarks in December, has previously said that Mourinho denied him the chance to join Borussia Dortmund after Chelsea failed to agree a deal to sign Robert Lewandowski.

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