Why Chelsea sold Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah

• Kevin De Bruyne joined Chelsea in 2012 but was sold in 2014
• Chelsea signed Salah in 2014 before selling the Egyptian winger just two years later
• Both players are now heralded as two of the best in the world playing for Chelsea rivals Manchester City and Liverpool respectively

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho recently shed light on the departures of Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah from Chelsea, attributing their exits to the players’ impatience and fervent desire for immediate playing time. Despite the subsequent successes of De Bruyne and Salah at Manchester City and Liverpool, respectively, Mourinho stressed that the decision to part ways with Chelsea was propelled by the players’ own eagerness rather than any lack of effort from the club or himself to retain their services.

Mourinho firmly refuted any suggestion that he willingly let go of these exceptional talents, telling The Obi One podcast that he actively sought to keep both Salah and De Bruyne at Chelsea. The narrative surrounding Salah took an intriguing turn as Mourinho revealed his pivotal role in Chelsea’s decision to sign the Egyptian winger from Basel. He explained that when Salah was making the move from Basel to Liverpool, Mourinho ardently fought to bring him to Chelsea, underscoring his genuine interest in the player.

However, once Salah arrived at Stamford Bridge, the challenge for him was to either perform on the pitch or exhibit patience while waiting for the right moment, in accordance with the club’s standards. When Salah expressed a desire to go on loan to secure more playing time, Chelsea facilitated his temporary moves to Fiorentina and Roma before ultimately parting ways with him for a permanent move to the latter for £15 million in 2016.

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has hinted he tried keeping both Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne at Chelsea. | PHOTO: BR |

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In the case of Kevin De Bruyne, Mourinho provided additional insights into his departure from Chelsea. During the pre-season in Asia, Mourinho expressed a preference to retain De Bruyne at the club instead of sending him on loan to a German side. The Belgian midfielder started the Premier League season under Mourinho but faced a setback when he didn’t play in the European Super Cup against Bayern Munich. Subsequently, De Bruyne expressed his desire to leave, leading to his eventual departure from Chelsea. Mourinho emphasized that these decisions were primarily influenced by the players’ impatience rather than any reluctance on the part of the club to retain their services.

Mourinho acknowledged that both Salah and De Bruyne, despite their departures from Chelsea, have gone on to achieve remarkable success in their careers, establishing themselves as two of the finest players of their generation. He attributed their triumphant trajectories to the decisions they made early in their careers, opting to pursue more playing time elsewhere. While Mourinho recognized that the players’ choices were validated by their subsequent accomplishments, he emphasized that Chelsea and himself, as the manager, were not responsible for pushing them out but rather accommodating their desires and career aspirations.

Reflecting on these instances, Mourinho illuminated the challenges of managing young players who are eager for immediate opportunities on the pitch. He acknowledged that the decisions made by Salah and De Bruyne were driven by their aspirations for more game time, a common trait among young and ambitious players. While Mourinho appreciated that these players made choices aligned with their career paths, he underscored that Chelsea and he, as the manager, were not culpable for pushing them out but rather adapting to their desires and career ambitions.

The narratives of Salah and De Bruyne offer profound insights into the intricate dynamics of football management, player development, and the delicate balance between immediate aspirations and long-term success. Mourinho’s perspective sheds light on the challenges faced by managers in nurturing young talent, where decisions made early in a player’s career can significantly shape their trajectory within the competitive landscape of football. The cases of Salah and De Bruyne serve as compelling examples of the unpredictable nature of football careers, where individual choices play a pivotal role in determining the path to success.