Former Chelsea striker, Demba Ba, has admitted that he was left frustrated after Jose Mourinho blocked his move to Arsenal several seasons ago.

It was the final day of the transfer window and the striker wasn’t happy being unused at Chelsea. His people arranged for him to come to Arsenal but, at the last minute, the move fell through. Although many people suspected it was down to Mourinho blocking the transfer, Demba Ba has now confirmed himself that this was the case.

I will not say it’s a regret, but I think back to the day when Jose (Mourinho) blocked my Chelsea loan at Arsenal,” he said to Football France.

“It was the time of his return to the club, and I think it would have been a very good move (transfer). It happened on the last day of the transfer window. I was in Paris, at rest, and Arsenal representatives called me to tell me it was going to happen. 

“I then came back to London for the medical. Upon arriving, I was left surprised that Mr. Mourinho had blocked my move to Arsenal. Mesut Ozil arrived, and to strengthen a competitor like Arsenal was very complicated if it worked.”

466909366 besiktas senegalese forward demba ba reacts gettyimages
Besiktas’ Senegalese forward Demba Ba reacts during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 football match between Club Brugge and Besiktas at Ataturk Olympic stadium in Istanbul on March 19, 2015. (OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images)

The 30-year-old went from scoring 13 goals in 20 Premier League appearances in his final season with Newcastle, to scoring 14 in 51 during his entire time in South London. It’s therefore pretty understandable that the striker wanted a move after it became apparent that his playing time wouldn’t dramatically increase.

“I understand Mourinho’s decision as a coach, but as a player, you are frustrated, he continued.

“Then, the second turning point comes when I decide to leave Chelsea for Besiktas. Mourinho came to ask me to stay, promising me more playing time next season. 

“But upon returning from vacation, I decided not to follow his request. I thought it was going to probably be like last season. In the end, there was only Diego (Costa) and if I had been there I would have actually played more.”

Although I can understand why Mourinho would block the move, he deliberately did it so late on on deadline day that we couldn’t bring in anyone else. He royally screwed us over and I bet he loved it. Well, never again.