West Ham winger Anouar El Mhassani has recalled almost signing for Chelsea.

El Mhassani left Ajax at 16 and had trials with several English clubs, including Chelsea.

He told Voetbalzone: “Then you might wonder why I didn't go to Chelsea. They wanted to hire me without offering a professional contract. Only after my first season would I possibly get a contract, provided I performed well.

"I thought that was a great risk, because you do not move abroad if there is a chance that you will have to return after one year and everything could have been for nothing.

"So Chelsea was an unrealistic option, but Stoke City and West Ham United did come with good offers. Ultimately, the choice fell on West Ham United, because they outlined a better plan for the future. That I would live in London also played a role. Life is of course much more than just football, so if you move to another country on your own, you want to end up in an environment where you can keep things up and do the necessary things."

The 19 year-old is coming off contract now and adds: "I'm currently open to all options, as I was at the time, so a return to the Dutch fields is definitely an option."