"They were just kids who couldn’t wait, and their careers say they were right" - Jose Mourinho's Gives Insights on De Bruyne and Salah's Departure from Chelsea

Chelsea's Managerial Maestro, José Mourinho Reveals Untold Stories Behind Key Departures

Roma's current coach, Jose Mourinho, sheds light on the pivotal moments that led to Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah leaving Chelsea during his managerial tenure.

Chelsea's Glory Days: Mourinho's Triumphs

Jose Mourinho, a pivotal figure in Chelsea's success, secured three Premier League titles for the Blues in 2005, 2006, and 2015, marking his remarkable impact during two separate spells with the club.

Decisions That Echoed: De Bruyne and Salah's Departure

Mourinho managed Chelsea when the decision to part ways with Kevin De Bruyne (to Wolfsburg) and Mohamed Salah (to Roma) transpired. However, the aftermath saw both players evolve into Premier League stars, prompting criticism of Chelsea and Mourinho's choices.

In a revealing moment on the Obi One podcast with Mikel Obi, Mourinho recounted, "We went to pre-season in Asia... Kevin was due to go on loan to a German side. I told the club no, I don’t want him out on loan, I want him with me."

De Bruyne's Meteoric Rise

Post-Chelsea, De Bruyne soared to become one of the world's best midfielders, playing a crucial role in Manchester City's treble-winning season.

Mourinho further explained, "After that, we played the European Super Cup... he didn’t play that game. Then, the next day, he wants to leave."

Acknowledging the dynamics at Chelsea, Mourinho stated, "When you are at Chelsea and you want to leave, go and another one comes. They were just kids who couldn’t wait, and their careers say they were right, but it wasn’t down to me."

Salah's Transfer Saga

Addressing Salah's departure, Mourinho clarified, "When people say I let Salah go, I say exactly the opposite. I bought Salah. I was the one who said buy that guy."

Salah, initially acquired from Basel in 2014, encountered loan spells at Fiorentina and Roma before the latter exercised a £17million buy option.

Mourinho emphasized, "To be a Chelsea player, you have to perform, or you need to wait. He didn't want to wait, he wanted to go on loan. And then Chelsea, at a certain point, decided to sell."

Mourinho's narratives provide insight into the intricate decisions shaping the trajectories of De Bruyne and Salah, two football stars whose journeys began at Chelsea under the guidance of the Portuguese tactician.