Kevin De Bruyne has revealed a 'strange' discussion he had with Jose Mourinho which led to his exit from Chelsea.
The midfielder made just three Premier League appearances for the club during the 2013-14 season, before he was sold to Wolfsburg during the January transfer window.
He returned to the Premier League with Manchester City a year and a half later, and has gone on to become one of the best players in the world.
The 29-year-old has explained how a conversation with his former Chelsea boss, led his departure from Stamford Bridge.
'There was so much in the press about my relationship with Jose Mourinho,' De Bruyne told Sky Sports as per Four Four Two.
'But the truth is that I only ever spoke to him twice. The plan was always for me to go on loan for a bit.
'Jose called me into his office in December, and it was probably the second big life-changing moment for me. He had some papers in front of him, and he said, 'One assist. Zero goals. Ten recoveries'.
'It took me a minute to understand what he was doing. Then he started reading the stats of the other attacking forwards - Willian, Oscar, (Juan) Mata, (Andre) Schurrle. And it's like - five goals, 10 assists, whatever.
'Jose was just kind of waiting for me to say something, and finally I said, 'but some of these guys have played 15, 20 games. I've only played three. So it's going to be different, no?'
'It was so strange. I was completely honest. I said, 'I feel like the club doesn't really want me here. I want to play football. I'd rather you sell me.'
'I decided to go away because I felt I didn't have any chances of playing at the time. I didn't see more opportunities coming so for me, it was the best decision to leave Chelsea and go to a situation where I felt I could start again.
'Did I expect it to go this way? Obviously not, because at that time it was a low point in my career but I never had any doubt in my abilities as a football player.
'I can't think what is going to happen eight years down the line playing for City, in World Cups and all that stuff. It's wonderful.'
De Bruyne made an instant impact during a successful stint with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, before his £55m move to Manchester City.
The Belgian has made 249 appearances for the club, and has won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and four League Cups.
Manchester City are well on their way to winning their third title with De Bruyne this season, and should they win the Manchester derby on Sunday they will go 15 points clear at the top with ten games to go.