Michy Batshuayi reflected on his time with Chelsea, remembering issues he had with both Diego Costa and then-coach Antonio Conte.
The Belgian forward has only participated in three Premier League campaigns with the Blues, spending recent years away on loan spells with Crystal Palace and Besiktas. Romelu Lukaku’s recent negative one-year spell in West London prompted Batshuayi to remember some of his own difficulties with Chelsea.
Speaking to Voetbal Magazine, Batshuayi first revealed that the greatest problem he faced was teammate Diego Carlos.
“I cannot speak without knowing about Romelu, but for me it’s very clear: the problem was Diego Costa. At that time, I think there was no player who could’ve dethroned him. And in my second season, while I was having a great pre-season, Morata arrived.
“So even there it was complicated. But after that, despite that, every time I came on I scored. In fact, it’s quite strange to say, but the team was so strong that it was easy to score goals. When you play with certain players, everything becomes easy.”
Batshuayi then touched on some issues he had with Conte, who won a Premier League title and FA Cup during his time in West London.
“He said everything and the opposite of everything. When I arrived for the first time, he called me, we had a long conversation, and he told me that his plan was for me to play in a front two with Diego Costa.
“Did I believe him? Certainly, because Conte throughout his career had always played with two strikers. Except at Chelsea with me! I don’t understand.
“And I’m sure we would’ve had a great season together. But since the club is spinning, I can’t even say anything. Otherwise people would say that the guy is angry, that he only thinks about himself. The truth is that I have been messed about a lot.”
Batshuayi has now returned to London but it’s almost impossible to imagine him breaking into Thomas Tuchel’s first team. With only a year left on his contract, a departure this summer seems fairly likely.
Batshuayi has scored 25 goals and provided six assists in 77 appearances for Chelsea, although he’s only played around 2412 minutes of action for the club.