Facundo Buonanotte has admitted he couldn’t really say no to Chelsea this summer. Even if the move isn’t really working out yet.
TyC Sports cover comments from the winger today. They are from an interview with DSports Radio in Argentina.
The 20-year-old joined Chelsea in a surprise move from Brighton, signing on loan until the end of the season.
He had been linked with a move away from Brighton throughout the summer after spending last season on loan at Leicester. He had initially looked very likely to head to France, with Strasbourg.
That move didn’t happen due to injury concerns. Instead, he ended up at Chelsea. They, of course, are also owned by BlueCo.
That move certainly raised eyebrows as few saw the value for either party. That is particularly the case for Buonanotte, who will have to compete with the likes of Estevao, Cole Palmer and even Pedro Neto for minutes this season.
He’s certainly struggled so far, with three appearances totaling 189 minutes to date. 90 of those minutes were in a 2-1 win over Lincoln in the EFL Cup.
That raises questions of why he would bother swapping Brighton for Chelsea, but he insists he simply couldn’t turn down the offer made to him.
“What you want is to play so you can be in the Argentine national team, but when a club as big as Chelsea comes along, you can’t say no,” he said.
“I wanted to take on this challenge to prove I’m up to it. (I’m) very happy and very comfortable. It’s (the Premier League) the best league in the world. It never ceases to surprise you. Something different can happen every minute.”
There’s something of an Argentine flair in that Chelsea dressing room. Enzo Fernández and Alejandro Garnacho are also at the club. Buonanotte is delighted to work alongside the former.
“He’s a fundamental pillar. I learn from him every day, and he was the first to write to me when my move to the club was finalised,” he added.
“I don’t need to say anything about what he’s like on the pitch, because he’s a wonderful player and everyone sees that; But beyond that, he’s a great person.”
