“It’s A Pity Chelsea Sold De Bruyne” – Conte Regrets Clubs’ Decision To Sell The Belgian

The Chelsea manager stated that it was a ‘Pity’ that Chelsea had to sell De Bruyne during Jose Mourinho’s second spell at Stamford Bridge. The Belgian has proved to be a different player since joining the blue side of Manchester.

The Blues signed De Bruyne from Genk for £7million in January 2012 but he was unable to make an impact at Stamford Bridge. He went for a year on loan at Werder Bremen and was sold to Wolfsburg for £18m before City paid a club-record £55m to lure him back to English football last year.

De Bruyne failed to make a statement for the Blues making just eight appearances but subsequently won the German player of the year in the 2014/2015 season.

25-year-old Kevin De Bruyne has excelled since then scoring seven times and claiming nine assists in the first season and has continued the new term in a similar vein of form and ahead of his visit to his former side, the Italian boss stated,

“De Bruyne played with Chelsea and I think he’s a really great player,”

“It’s a pity that now he is playing for another team, for sure because he is a fantastic player.” said Conte ahead of the game.

Antonio Conte reveals he would love to have had the Belgian playing under him but has immense respect for his opponents and their players.

“For sure, this, because he’s a fantastic player. But now he plays with Manchester City. I wish for him the best, after our game.” Conte added.

De Bryune and Romelu Lukaku have haunted Chelsea since their exits, becoming symbols of a misguided transfer policy which identifies talented young players and signs them for big money, only to refuse to give them the chance to play.