Traore takes a swipe at Chelsea after sale to Lyon

Bertrand Traore has fired off a parting shot at former employers Chelsea after securing an £8.8million move to Lyon.

The young striker was restricted to just ten Premier League appearances for the club after a 2013 transfer, most of those coming under Jose Mourinho in the 2015-16 campaign when he scored four goals.

Last season however the Burkina Faso international was exiled to Ajax, but continued to impress as he helped the Dutch side to the final of the Europa League, scoring 13 times in all competitions.

Chelsea’s loan policy is often scrutinised by those outside of Stamford Bridge, and Traore insisted he was never given a chance to prove himself with the Blues.

“It was time. Considering my age and for my development, it was time for me to leave the club,” he said.

“I could have stayed at Chelsea and played a few minutes in every game, fighting every day for a spot, knowing that I’ll never get a spot, I trained at the club, I did everything.

“Two seasons ago, I challenged the starters but we all know what happened last year. I was there during pre-season and then I was sent out on loan.

“So this year, I did not want to re-live the same scenario. It was time for me to find a stable club where I could play first-team football, where I could be one of the key players in the team.

“To be one of the key players in the team, you need to fight, and here, I’ll do everything to be amongst them, and I’ll give everything for the club.”