“I was desperate to join Chelsea”, “now I’m playing against Kylian Mbappe” – Midfielder Chelsea turns down cries out
After declining Chelsea, Russian sensation Arsen Zakharyan has become more candid about his life. In the summers of 2022 and 2023, the club had their eye on the 20-year-old, but he decided to move to Real Sociedad, where he has continued to grow, instead.
The adaptable midfielder, who despite his age is still amassing an amazing number of games, was also linked to Arsenal. Zakharyan, who moved to Spain last year from his own country, has recently discussed the suggestion to choose La Real over Chelsea.
“I had an offer from Chelsea, but I preferred to come to Real,” he told Mundo Deportivo. “I wanted to come to La Liga, to Spain, and that’s why I came to Real.
“Real’s game is very favourable for me. We are a team that always want the ball, and I like to have it, very active, and that is what I like
Zakharyan had offers for him blocked due to sanctions imposed by the British government following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He was expected to cost around £13million and also held interest from Lazio too.
Chelsea even took steps to try and get him to the BlueCo-owned multi-club affiliate, RC Strasbourg when they appointed super-agent Rafaela Pimenta. Zakharyan had other ideas in the end though and opted for La Liga.
Now, Real Sociedad are still in the battle to finish in the top four in Spain this year having qualified for the Champions League last season. They are seven points off Athletic Bilbao in fifth currently with an outside chance of another spot for the European places still to come.
Although it looks unlikely at this stage, Zakharyan has played in the competition more recently than any of the Chelsea players. The Blues failed to qualify last season after finishing 12th and are still outside of even the Conference League places currently.
Despite playing a rotational role for La Real, Zakharyan did make five Champions League appearances this season before his side were knocked out by Paris Saint-Germain in the last-16. He came off the bench during the 2-0 home defeat to Luis Enrique’s men before missing the second leg with injury.
Goals from Kylian Mbappe and another former Chelsea target Bradley Barcola ensured a short-lived first taste of the competition. Zakharyan will now be aiming to get himself back into the competition as he looks to keep proving the decision to turn down Chelsea right.
Zakharyan had been keen to move to Stamford Bridge previously, though. : “I found out from my agents, plus the club said that they received a letter with a request from Chelsea,” he explained in October 2022. “I don’t know the transfer details.
“[My] Reaction? I was called by Dmitry Alexandrovich (a member of the board of Dynamo Moscow) and asked if I wanted to move and how I looked at it. I said my position, yes, I want to.”
He added: “I immediately said that I want to. Waiting for this to be resolved. Have you studied the ingredients? I knew who was playing in my position – [Kai] Havertz, [Mason] Mount, [Conor] Gallagher, [Raheem] Sterling.
“I immediately said that I want to go and go. I do not cancel the rental option, but at least I would try myself there. Then I’ll be back, maybe it would be possible to start playing there right away.
“I got my parents right away. I was glad, there was excitement. I thought it would work, it wouldn’t work. I replayed in my head how it would all turn out. The agent said that a club from Spain was interested in me, but I have Chelsea, and I want to join Chelsea.”
The ambitious youngster finished: “I want to go to Chelsea now. I don’t want to go to Zenit. I have a year and a half contract. I am happy to play in Dynamo. The only place I want to go is Chelsea.”