The harsh reason Vincent Kompany declined the Chelsea position that would have doubled his salary

Vincent Kompany’s Burnley will be aiming to extend Chelsea’s poor start to the season this weekend but the Belgian’s loyalties could potentially have been with the Blues instead

Vincent Kompany claimed that Chelsea were a “factory” after turning down a move to Stamford Bridge earlier in his career.

The Belgian will be attempting to lead his Burnley side to a victory against the Blues this weekend at Turf Moor. However, his loyalties could potentially have been with the West Londoners.

Kompany was linked with a switch to Chelsea way back in 2006 ahead of a move from Anderlecht to Hamburg. Speaking after moving to Germany, he opened up on why he turned down the chance of becoming a Blue.

As quoted by Sky Sports, he said: “Chelsea came in for me a year-and-a-half ago, but I refused, although I could have doubled what I had at Anderlecht. But I am not crazy, I saw enough examples of others.

“Chelsea are a factory. I do not doubt my qualities to make it at Chelsea, it is possible to still go there later. But I would rather never go to Chelsea, than go at a bad moment.”

Revealing further why he decided to move to the Bundesliga instead of the Premier League, the Belgian icon added: “This club [Hamburg] has drive.

“The infrastructure is almost futuristic. I thought the gym at Anderlecht stuck out, but it is nothing compared to what they have here. And look at the players. They are young and quick – Wicky, Boulahrouz, Mahdavikia – this team is young and ambitious.

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“I have taken this decision concerning my future and no one else. People wanted to push me in all kinds of directions – to Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid.

“But I wanted, especially, a championship in which I could take a large step forward. On a sport and financial level Hamburg, for me, was the most interesting.”

Kompany eventually moved to English shores just two years after turning down a move to Chelsea as he signed for Manchester City. The former defender went on to become a legendary figure at the Etihad Stadium.