Tiémoué Bakayoko takes swipe at Chelsea chiefs | OneFootball

Tiémoué Bakayoko feels he never got the chance to prove himself at Chelsea.

Bakayoko moved to Stamford Bridge in a €40m switch from Monaco in the summer of 2017 but his first season at the club did not go to plan and he was shipped off on loan to AC Milan.

And the Frenchman has suggested it was the Blues hierarchy who decided to let him go rather than manager Maurizio Sarri.

“I think it came from above. The club weren’t doing well, wanted change, and I was a part of it,” Bakayoko told France Football.

“Sarri arrived, and he was told that’s how things were. He also brought in his midfielder, Jorginho.

“A second season at Chelsea could have allowed me to settle, but I felt the need to leave.”

Milan are reportedly keen to make the midfielder’s loan spell permanent at the end of the season, but his €35m price tag could be a huge stumbling block.

But Bakayoko is enjoying his time in Italy and is grateful to the Rossoneri for taking a punt on him.

“It was an important career choice because I’m already on my fourth club,” he added.

“That’s a lot for a 24-year-old. [Sporting director] Leonardo is the one who contacted me.

“If I had to leave, it was for Milan because that club made me dream when I was a kid. I really am grateful for the chance they have given me.”