Chelsea flop says he’s ‘rediscovered joy’ after leaving club and is ‘relieved’ Stamford Bridge career is over

Former Chelsea Winger Reveals He’s ‘Rediscovered Joy’ Since Leaving Stamford Bridge

It’s not often you hear a player say they’re "relieved" to be out of a club, but that’s exactly what former Chelsea winger Diego Moreira has said since making the switch to French outfit Strasbourg.

The 20-year-old joined Chelsea on a free transfer in 2023 after leaving Benfica, but things didn’t quite go to plan. He made just one appearance for the Blues, in a Carabao Cup tie against AFC Wimbledon, before being loaned out to Lyon. Upon his return to London in January 2024, Moreira was told to train with the Under-21s and eventually made the move to Strasbourg.

And it seems like the fresh start has done him the world of good. "Since I got here, it’s been a relief. I rediscover this joy of playing football, of having fun. Then everything is great: the coach, the club, the infrastructure, the quality of life, the city," he told La Derniere Heure.

Moreira was asked if it was "difficult" for him to be asked to train away from the senior side at Chelsea, and he didn’t mince his words. "Yes, especially since I suffered my very first injury. I was out of action for a month and a half, then I played two matches, and I got injured again: torn hamstrings."

He also expressed his frustration with the level of academy football at Chelsea, saying it wasn’t the right environment for him to learn and grow. "It’s true that the level of academy football is not comparable to professional football: you have the impression that you are stagnating, that you are not learning anything."

But things are looking up for Moreira now. He’s already made seven appearances for Strasbourg, scoring once, and has a contract that will keep him in France until 2029. He’s also still being called up by Portugal Under-21s, and will be looking to progress to the senior side in the coming years.

The winger was born in Belgium, but has chosen to represent Portugal, having played for their Under-15 side. He’s still in touch with some of his former Chelsea teammates, including Christopher Nkunku and Malo Gusto, and is excited to see what the future holds.

So, what’s the takeaway from Moreira’s story? It’s that sometimes, a change of scenery can be just what a player needs to rediscover their passion for the game. And who knows, maybe he’ll be back in the Premier League one day, but for now, he’s happy to be playing with a smile on his face.

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