Wednesday, 5th March, 2014
Kevin De Bruyne has revealed that Jose Mourinho blocked a switch from Chelsea to Borussia Dortmund.
The Belgian midfielder had been keen on joining Dortmund, having fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge; he eventually moved to Dortmund's Bundesliga rivals Wolfsburg in the winter window.
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Mourinho vetoed the switch, in part, it has been claimed, because he was frustrated in efforts to take Dortmund hitman Robert Lewandowski to Chelsea.
De Bruyne was quoted as saying by Voetbal Primeur: "Mourinho did say 'no'.
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"They told me and my advisors that the transfer of Lewandowski had played a role."
But the Belgium attacking midfielder has struck an accepting note, explaining that he understands politics sometimes intrudes into the world of football.
"That's football", De Bruyne shrugged.
"When you're dealing with a lot of money, there is also a lot of politics."
De Bruyne has firmly shrugged off his lack of football at Chelsea since moving to Wolfsburg, turning out six times in the Bundesliga, with two assists, and once in the German Cup.
He has yet to lock horns with Dortmund; that date will come on 5th April.
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