Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please
try again later.
Sign up to the free Chelsea newsletter for the latest Blues news
straight to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up to the
free Chelsea newsletter for the latest Blues news straight to your inbox
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.
READ MORE: Mount and Gallagher poor, James and Loftus-Cheek impress:
Chelsea player ratings this season
"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.
READ NEXT:
Chelsea vs Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham update as Queen's
funeral detail confirmed
Transfers, nurturing youth, formations and his weaknesses –
What Graham Potter brings to Chelsea
Todd Boehly prepared to give Graham Potter rare
Chelsea gift that Roman Abramovich didn't accept
Chelsea told Graham Potter attribute
that could channel Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger
Todd Boehly creates new Chelsea
timeline as Graham Potter hire breaks Roman Abramovich tradition
