Chelsea loanee Baba Rahman explained that he had ambitions of playing in the Premier League again for the first time in half a decade.
Speaking to BerkshireLive, Rahman said the decision to remain in England revolved around returning to the promised land.
The 27-year-old joined Reading on loan over the summer, his fifth different move away since signing for Chelsea in 2015.
He joined Jose Mourinho’s side – who was eventually replaced by Guus Hiddink – and actually got a pretty decent run in the team towards the end of his debut campaign.
Things went south pretty quickly for the Ghana international following Antonio Conte’s appointment.
There was a disagreement between player and coach, causing the former to seek refuge elsewhere across the continent.
Rahman first joined Schalke, then Reims, followed by Mallorca and PAOK.
Baba’s desires
His latest destination landed him back in the English Football League, thanks to Reading’s Championship holdings.
“Yes for me, [it was] the main reason why I had to stay in England, so it’s going to happen if I perform well here…to get myself back in the Premier League,” said the defender on his motive behind moving to the Madejski Stadium.
He also explained why he settled upon the Royals above anybody else and the Chelsea influence that swayed his call.
“When the opportunity came I was happy and I think I have settled in well from the beginning,” continued Rahman.
“I watched Reading clips last season. Six or seven games into last season I watched them and they played really good football.
“Before I moved I asked Lewis Baker and he told me much about Reading.”
Baker was also on loan from Chelsea with Reading back in 2019.
Rahman reality
At the minute, Rahman’s dreams of gracing the top flight are being doused in a flame of reality.
Reading are currently 16th in the table, having lost four of their last five league fixtures.
Who knows, Chelsea might recall the left-back and fulfill his fantasy after all.
But don’t hold your breath, Baba.
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