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Schurrle never doubted move to Chelsea

Andre Schurrle was relieved his move to Chelsea materialised © PA Photos

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Andre Schurrle has told Bild he never thought his transfer from Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea would fall through, despite speculation it could have been called off.

Schurrle, 22, wrapped up his move to Stamford Bridge on Thursday after Leverkusen had secured the signing of South Korea international Heung-Min Son from Hamburg as his replacement.

That was almost two months after a move to London had first been talked about - but Schurrle said he was always confident that the deal would go through once Leverkusen had ensured his replacement.

"There was a clear agenda - and I was in the loop all the time," he told Bild. "Of course, I am totally relieved that Bayer made this step possible for me."

Speaking after the signing of Son had been confirmed, chief executive Wolfgang Holzhauser explained: "From the very beginning, we have made clear to everyone that Andre Schurrle's switch to Chelsea was only viable in connection with an adequate alternative.

"With Heung-Min Son, we have now secured that alternative. Therefore, nothing stands in the way of Andre Schurrle's transfer to England."

Schurrle had also been linked with a transfer to Stamford Bridge Chelsea last summer, when Roberto Di Matteo was Chelsea manager.

A year later, he met returning Blues boss Jose Mourinho, who confirmed that he was on his way to the Premier League at Michael Ballack's farewell game in Leipzig last week.

"He was my coach that evening," Schurrle said. "He shook my hand and said: 'It is done - you are my player.' That was an incredible feeling. He has a special personality and is cool."

Mourinho worked with Schurrle's international colleagues Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira at Real Madrid, and Schurrle said: "They both told me that he is the best coach they have ever worked with.

"During the recent US tour [by Germany], we talked about this issue for more than an hour. The German coach [Joachim Low] believes that Chelsea suits me and my game."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.