Brentford midfielder Josh McEachran has said that he had to leave Chelsea for the sake of his career.
McEachran, 22, left after 15 years with the Blues to join nearby Championship side Brentford earlier this month.
He still had a year left on his Stamford Bridge contract, but after 22 appearances in five years since his debut, McEachran felt it was the right time to move on.
"It was time to get out of Chelsea, I was there for 15 years," McEachran told reporters. "I wanted a fresh start, to get settled and play somewhere week in, week out. Now it's time for me to push on.
"Now I feel settled, I've signed here for four years and I can just get on with my football. And I didn't have to move house!
"I am not saying I should have got more chances at Chelsea. It is not down to me who plays, it is down to the managers, so I am not going to point the finger at anyone. It is probably tougher than it was a few years ago, with all the money, but I am not going to say it is anyone's fault."
McEachran will want to be part of the Brentford starting lineup when they begin their bid for promotion from the Championship against last season's other beaten playoff semi-finalist, Ipswich Town, on Saturday, August 8.
Pascal Lemesre
