Bertrand Traore: I knew I'd never get a chance at Chelsea

Bertrand Traore says he left Chelsea because he knew he would never get the chance to break into the first-team.

The 21-year-old striker sealed a move to French club Lyon this week after signing a five-year contract in a deal worth £8.8million.

Lyon were left impressed after watching Traore on loan at Ajax last season where the Burkina Faso international scored 14 goals in all competitions, which included a brace for the Dutch club against Les Gones in the Europa League semi-final first leg in May.

The previous season also saw Traore do well after then-interim Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink played Traore up front, which yielded four goals in 16 appearances.

Despite appearing to be a bright prospect for Chelsea, Traore was sent out on loan to Ajax last term and the striker has now said his spell away from Stamford Bridge made him realise his first-team chances under Antonio Conte were going to be limited.

He said: "It was time. Considering my age and for my development, it was time for me to leave the club.

"I could have stayed at Chelsea and played a few minutes in every game, fighting every day for a spot, knowing that I'll never get a spot, I trained at the club, I did everything.

"Two seasons ago, I challenged the starters but we all know what happened last year. I was there during pre-season and then I was sent out on loan.

"So this year, I did not want to re-live the same scenario. It was time for me to find a stable club where I could play first-team football, where I could be one of the key players in the team.

"To be one of the key players in the team, you need to fight, and here, I'll do everything to be amongst them, and I'll give everything for the club."