Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah has told The Times that he was disappointed when Chelsea decided to let him go.
Nketiah, who is now flourishing at Arsenal, has said that it was tough for him to deal with as a youngster when Chelsea decided not to keep him at the club.
The £100,000-a-week (LondonWorld) striker was on the books of Chelsea from 2008 until 2015 before leaving for London and Premier League rivals Arsenal.
The 23-year-old has established himself as part of the Arsenal first-team squad in recent years.
Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah on leaving Chelsea
Nketiah said: “I’d played a season of proper football for the local Sunday team, the Hillyfielders, and I was loving it and that kind of continued into Chelsea — had good trials, played well, scoring throughout the age groups
“I was physically underdeveloped, small for my age, and it felt like a big moment because growing up in a sporting area, everyone knows you’re the young player who plays for Chelsea, and it almost becomes part of your identity. So it’s very tough to take it and let go.”
Bouncing back
For any young player, to be released by a club is a massive disappointment, and you can understand how Eddie Nketiah must have when he was let go by Chelsea.
The youngster has bounced back from the disappointment well and is now a big player for Arsenal.
The striker is playing well for the Gunners at the moment and has stepped up in the absence of Brazil international striker Gabriel Jesus, who is injured at the moment.
Arsenal could win the Premier League title this season.
And Nketiah will have played his part in that quest.
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