Avram Grant: “Long-standing injuries led Atsu out of Chelsea NOT talent”

Ex-Ghana and Chelsea FC boss, Avram Grant has disclosed why Christian Atsu could not get a place in Chelsea FC team after a move from Portuguese giant’s FC Porto.

Atsu who lost his life through a tragic earthquake in Turkey early this month, joined the London club in 2013 but could not break into the first team after spending his first season on loan to Malaga. He suffered an injury and that saw the Blues lose confidence in the sensational winger and failed to have him around the team until a permanent move to Newcastle United FC in 2017 having gone on loan to several clubs.

In his four years, Atsu didn’t play a single game for the Blues.

Avram reveals that, the reoccurrence of his injuries led him out of the team and not about his talent.

According to him, Atsu’s talent was massive and a huge one because he knew him at Chelsea FC during those period.

“No, the story of him is simple. First, Chelsea bought him, it means that they thought that he was high talent. Chelsea don’t buy average players. But I think as I told you before, he could play in Chelsea, no doubt about this but he had a lot of injuries and not at the right moment, you know,” he told Joy Sports.

“Imagine even before the AFCON, he was injured. So, he could not be picked even to the team.

“And when I spoke with him, he said I understand if you will not pick me. So, when you play in Chelsea you need to be also fit physically as much as you can always.

“He had long-term injuries and I think this is what stopped him to be in Chelsea. Of course, it was not his quality, it was not his personality. That was perfect.”

Story Kolog Bonaventure