Recent reports have emerged that Brazilian midfielder Ramires has admitted his move to Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Suning FC during the winter transfer window was triggered by interim head coach Guus Hiddink's dislike for him when he was still playing for Chelsea FC.
The 29-year-old Brazil international was acquired by Jiangsu in January of this year from the Stamford Bridge residents for a then Chinese transfer record-breaking fee of €32 million. Many were surprised by the move of the 5-foot-11 Barra do Piraí, Brazil native and he had only recently disclosed the real reason why he accepted the China offer.
"One of the big reasons I left Chelsea was the arrival of the new coach (Hiddink)," said Ramires, as reported by Goal. "It wasn't just because I had a good relationship with Jose (Mourinho). But when he was in charge, I knew there was a chance of playing and that the fight for a place in the team was always open.
Ramires explained that since the 69-year-old Dutch bench tactician took over from Mourinho, he was not getting enough first team playing time without any apparent reason. He said that he "couldn't understand why" he was being benched as he "had played well and fought hard for a team that was having difficulties".
"He didn't like me as a player or my way and decided very rashly that he wasn't going to give me an opportunity to fight for a place in his team," he added.
Ramires also admitted, though, that he will always have "a good relationship inside the club (Chelsea)" and that he is still a Blues supporter and would "want the club to get back into the Champions League as quickly as possible".
The former Benfica standout has helped the Pensioners capture the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup trophies during his six-season stay with the club as he insists that Chelsea "remains close to his heart", as per the Mirror.