‘Maybe a transfer was coming’ – Chelsea target admits injury ruined plans, not just him affected

Feyenoord star Quilindschy Hartman has admitted he was left deeply upset by the injury that ruined his chances of joining Chelsea this summer.

The defender has been speaking to Matchday, relayed by Soccer News, about his knee injury suffered earlier this year, which stopped him going to Euro 2024 and potentially a move to Chelsea.

The left-back was coming towards the end of another impressive season with the Dutch side, where he was again shining under the guidance of Arne Slot when his season was brought to an end by a knee injury in the clash with FC Utrecht at the end of March.

That knee injury has required surgery, which meant he missed out on a place in the Netherlands squad at Euro 2024 and will miss the start of next season too, with his return not planned until January next year.

The bigger disappointment was that it brought a complete end to any hope of him securing a big move away from Feyenoord this summer too.

He had long been linked with a move to the Premier League, where Chelsea had been credited with an interest for several months and were believed to be pushing ahead to get him.

Several reports had indicated as much, with it even stated at the beginning of May, after he had suffered the injury, that talks had been opened and Hartman had visited the Blues.

That was followed up by him admitting Chelsea had told him they were still interested despite his injury after they really wanted him in January.

A move this summer was ended by his injury, something he admits hit him hard and left him in tears when he realised the worst.

“You start thinking: maybe I did things differently? Done too little or too much? It was a very busy period,” he said.

“The European Championship was coming. I knew I would be there, but it’s in your head. And maybe a transfer was coming. You’re working on that too. I mainly think it was an unfortunate moment, a combination of circumstances.”

“When I got into the dressing room, with the doctor also present, I knew this is just over. I have never cried so hard as I did then. That really sucks.

“Not only for myself, but also for all the people who would come along. For example, we were busy arranging tickets for family. They were all really looking forward to it, such a first European Championship.”