Mourinho: De Bruyne's mentality too weak for Chelsea
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The Belgian is a target for Manchester City, with the Premier League runners-up reportedly planning a £50 million bid, but the Portuguese was not impressed by the player's desire
Jose Mourinhosays he sold
Kevin De Bruynebecause the midfielder's mentality was not strong enough to play for
Chelsea.
The Belgian,
who is a target for Manchester City and could be the subject of a £50 million bid from Manuel Pellegrini, left for Wolfsburg in January 2014 in an £18m deal after struggling for game time.
De Bruyne has gone on to excel in the Bundesliga, notching a record-equalling 20 assists last season to attract the interest of City - a potential move Mourinho insists he would hold no regret over.
"I am happy for him, because he is a good kid," he told reporters. "I wanted to keep him. But he couldn't handle fighting for his place in such a competitive squad.
"He told me it was not in his personality to be competing for a position in the team. He needed a team where he knows he can play every game."
Mourinho says the increased competition for places at Chelsea was not to De Bruyne's liking despite City boasting similar strength in depth with the likes of David Silva, Raheem Sterling and Jesus Navas.
He continued: "I told him, 'This is Chelsea. You are very young, you have Eden Hazard, you have Mata, you have Willian, you have Schurrle, and I cannot promise you that.'
"He told me he was not happy. He was not training very well, I was asking for more and he was saying, 'I can't give you more. This is just my way'.
"So yes. I accept that if this his mentality and that if it is his choice to go, it is better for Chelsea to make a good deal.
"We sold him, made our money and it was fantastic because we bought him cheap and sold him for a fantastic price. Now Wolfsburg, if they make a fantastic deal, that is good for them."
