Joris Gnagnon turned down the opportunity to join Chelsea over the summer
The Rennes defender admits he was flattered by interest from the Blues
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JORIS GNAGNON has confirmed he turned down a move to Stamford Bridge this summer as he feared a lack of game time would stunt his development.
The Rennes defender is a rising talent in french football and has attracted attention from not only Chelsea but Borussia Dortmund too.
The France Under-20 international enjoyed an impressive campaign at Rennes last season.
Gnagnon made 30 appearances in all competitions.
The 20-year-old has admitted that interest from Chelsea was "very flattering" but was happy to stay at Rennes for the time being.
Speaking to FootMercato Gnagnon said: "Yes, it happened very quickly. Two years ago, I was in CFA [French amateur league].
"I played my first season [at Rennes], then the second. I hear we're talking about Chelsea and many other clubs, for sure it's very flattering. I was happy."
Pressed on whether he found it difficult to ignore the advancers from afar, Gnagnon added: "It was really not easy to be honest.
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"After that, I had to look the truth in the face, that is, if I went to Chelsea right away, I was not sure I would be playing. You're going to Dortmund, you're not sure you're playing either. Whether I went to the right or left, I was not sure I was playing."
"I weighed up the pros and cons with my entourage and my agent and we thought that it was better to do one more season at Rennes. It was not easy but we had to make a choice."
As Gnagnon concentrates on staying at Rennes for one more season at least, he leaves open the door to a potential move next summer.
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