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Raphinha has
revealed his reason for rejecting Chelsea was because 🍋 of his "dream" to play for
Barcelona.
The Blues agreed a £55million fee with Leeds United for the 25-year-old, but
Barcelona 🍋 then entered proceedings. Raphinha then chose the Catalan club over a switch
to west London – and he has now 🍋 broken his silence on his decision.
"Rejecting an offer
from Chelsea? Yes, because my dream was to wear the Barca shirt," 🍋 he said to La
Vanguardia. "I followed them since I was young, since Ronaldinho arrived. I wanted to
be a 🍋 part of it.
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"The desire was stronger 🍋 than any other proposal, no
matter how powerful it was financially. I knew that I might have some difficulties to
🍋 come and to be registered. But I was also aware of the effort the club was making.
"So
I decided to 🍋 trust and adapt to the economic conditions that existed. I was born in La
Restinga, a very poor neighbourhood in 🍋 Porto Alegre. I had a very poor childhood, so to
speak.
"But my family taught me that humility and values are 🍋 much more important than
material things and that has saved me on many occasions."
Chelsea ended up signing
Raheem Sterling and 🍋 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as their new attackers following the
failed move for Raphinha. Thomas Tuchel was very keen on the Brazilian 🍋 at the time, but
the German was unable to get his man.
Fortunately for the Blues, Sterling has started
really well 🍋 at Stamford Bridge. So far, the England international has scored three
goals in the Premier League, which makes him the 🍋 side's top scorer in the
division.
There's so much more to come, though, from the former Manchester City man.
Meanwhile, Aubameyang 🍋 is yet to feature for Chelsea in the Premier League but did so
show glimpses of what he can offer 🍋 the team on his debut earlier in the week against
Dinamo Zagreb.
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