‘Bad trainer’ Kevin De Bruyne sparked training ground bust-up at Chelsea that left John Terry and John Obi Mikel stunned
Letting Kevin De Bruyne go is seen as one of Chelsea’s biggest-ever transfer failings.
But according to two of their former regulars, no one could have known what the Manchester City superstar would go on to become.
The Belgian joined the Blues in 2012 from Genk for just £7million, but only ever managed nine first team appearances before going on loan to Werder Bremen, and then being sold to Wolfsburg.
Tearing the Bundesliga to pieces with the latter side, City paid £55m for his services in 2015, and the rest is history.
Now one of the greatest creators the Premier League has ever seen and a five-time title winner, two of his former Chelsea teammates have discussed how he slipped through their fingers.
Appearing on The Obi One Podcast with former teammate John Obi Mikel, John Terry was asked if he could have seen the evolution from De Bruyne and fellow Chelsea flop turned English football great Mohamed Salah.
“Absolutely not,” he said. “It’s my one disappointment as captain, because I adapted over time as captain, I think I softened as the years went on.
“Those early years when those guys were there I was probably very strong, very disciplined on the group and how we did things.
“Actually, that was probably the first time they needed an arm around the shoulder and a sit down and a discussion and maybe helped them settle in.
“So for those players for the level they’ve got to, I'm disappointed in myself as captain and it’s a regret I’ll have. I’m delighted they’ve become what they’ve become, but I wouldn’t have said they would have got to the level they got to.”
Mikel was in complete agreement with his former teammate, and didn’t see anywhere near enough from ex-midfield partner De Bruyne.
“Definitely not,” Mikel said in agreement
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