-
Arsen Zakharyan reveals why he turned down Chelsea and joined Real Sociedad.
Arsen Zakharyan has said that he is glad he resisted the opportunity to join Chelsea since “more interesting” choices were available.
The Blues first expressed interest in the Russian forward about a year ago. When they first became interested in the 20-year-old last summer, they were prepared to use the release clause in his Dynamo Moscow contract, but the Russian invasion of Ukraine complicated the plan.
Todd Boehly took action in an effort to finalize a deal for the forward. Rumors said that Zakharyan will initially sign with Strasbourg, a team affiliated with Chelsea, with the goal of eventually transferring to Stamford Bridge.
However, a deal fell through, and the Russian international decided to sign a six-year contract with Real Sociedad in Spain.
Since going to LaLiga, Zakharyan has confirmed that he spoke with Chelsea but that he wasn’t very enthusiastic about doing so.
He said: “I realised that I was already a Real player when I signed. When I couldn’t fly for the first time, I didn’t understand anything. I thought I could fail. I didn’t understand anything about my future, I was in limbo. Fortunately, everything worked out. I was nervous, very nervous. For me it was more interesting to come to Real than to Chelsea. It was also a more realistic option. And here I am.”
After a series of productive seasons with Dynamo Moscow, Zakharyan goes for the Basque country. He had made 89 appearances for the team in all competitions prior to his departure, contributing 25 assists and 19 goals. He participated in two games and two substitute appearances for his new team prior to the international break.
Zakharyan will be hoping to play when Sociedad visits the Santiago Bernabeu to take on Real Madrid the following Saturday.