Chelsea in ‘turmoil’ amid real reason for Raphinha snub – pundit
Frank McAvennie insists that Raphinha snubbed Chelsea because they are a club in “turmoil” and cannot offer the same glamour as Barcelona.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-West Ham striker suggested that the allure of a move to one of world football’s “big boys” was simply too good to turn down.
Leeds United confirmed on Friday (15 July) that the 25-year-old had departed for the La Liga club.
Raphinha put pen to paper on a five-year deal with Barca.
Chelsea, who are under new ownership after Todd Boehly’s takeover, had been interested in the Brazilian winger for some time and were reportedly close to securing his signature before the move was hijacked by Barca.
When asked if he thought Chelsea will regret missing out on Raphinha, McAvennie told Football Insider: “Chelsea thought they had him, but when Barcelona or Real Madrid, the big boys, come in you can’t say no.
“Chelsea are a big team but they’re not there yet, especially with the turmoil that’s going about Stamford Bridge at the moment.
“Who wouldn’t want to play for Barcelona? It just doesn’t make sense not to. I can understand him wanting to go there.
“He’s a wonderful talent but he’ll find out going to Barca, that he can’t play well in one game and then not in the next. He’ll need to be on the ball every game.
“I keep talking about talent but he is such a talent, and that’s playing at Leeds. That’s no disrespect to Leeds, but the quality that he’ll be training with every day at Barcelona will be magnificent.
“If that doesn’t get instilled into you then I don’t know what will.“
In other news, a pundit has suggested Chelsea have landed Antonio Rudiger replacement as new £66.5m details emerge.