Vincent Kompany’s devastating reason for turning down a Chelsea post that would have doubled his salary.

Burnley’s Vincent Kompany will be looking to extend Chelsea’s bad start to the season this weekend, but the Belgian’s loyalties may have been with the Blues instead.

After rejecting down a move to Stamford Bridge early in his career, Vincent Kompany called Chelsea a “factory.”

The Belgian will try to inspire his Burnley team to victory over the Blues this weekend at Turf Moor. His allegiances, though, could have been with the West Londoners.

Kompany was linked with a move to Chelsea before moving from Anderlecht to Hamburg in 2006. He talked up about why he rejected down the opportunity to become a Blue after going to Germany.

“Chelsea came in for me a year and a half ago, but I refused, even though I could have doubled what I had at Anderlecht,” he told Sky Sports. But I am not insane.

I’d seen plenty of other people’s instances.

“Chelsea is a manufacturing plant.” I have no doubt in my abilities to make it at Chelsea; it is still conceivable for me to go there eventually. But I’d rather not go to Chelsea than go at a poor time.”

The Belgian legend went on to explain why he chose the Bundesliga over the Premier League: “This club [Hamburg] has drive.”

“The infrastructure is almost futuristic in design.” The gym at Anderlecht stood out to me, but it pales in comparison to what they have here. And have a peek at the players. Wicky, Boulahrouz, Mahdavikia, and the rest of the team are youthful and ambitious.

“I made this decision about my future and no one else.” People wanted to push me in various ways, including Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona, and Real Madrid.

“But I really wanted a championship where I could make a big step forward.” Hamburg was the most appealing to me in terms of sport and money.”

Kompany eventually moved to England, signing for Manchester City just two years after turning down a move to Chelsea. The former defender went on to become a legend at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.

He played 360 times for City in all competitions, earning four Premier League crowns, two FA Cups, and two League Cups. Kompany returned to Anderlecht after the end of his tenure and started his coaching career with the Belgian club.

Burnley brought him back to England following their relegation from the Premier League, and Kompany was instrumental in the Clarets’ immediate recovery. They have only won one of their first seven league games, with that victory coming against Luton Town.

Chelsea’s fortunes haven’t improved much under new manager Mauricio Pochettino, with only two wins thus far.